Heavenly Beef Recipe

Marinate the beef

In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin (or sherry), brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil and black pepper. Whisk until sugar begins to dissolve.

Add the beef cubes to the marinade and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. Remove beef 15 minutes before cooking to come closer to room temperature.

While the beef marinates, prepare the vegetables: slice the onion, peel and slice the carrots, halve the mushrooms, and slice the scallions. Reserve some sliced scallion for garnish.

Sear aromatics

Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil. When oil shimmers, add half the beef in a single layer (reserve marinade). Sear without moving for 2 minutes until deeply browned on one side, flip and brown another 1–2 minutes. Transfer seared beef to a plate and repeat with remaining beef. Do not overcrowd; work in batches.

Lower heat to medium. Add onions to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add carrots and mushrooms and cook 3–4 minutes more until vegetables begin to soften.

Deglaze and braise

Return all seared beef to the pot. Pour in reserved marinade and the stock, scraping up browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook gently for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until beef is tender when pierced with a fork. Check once halfway and give a stir.

Adjust seasoning

Taste the braising liquid and adjust seasoning if needed: add a pinch of salt or 1–2 teaspoons of brown sugar if you want it sweeter, or a dash of soy if you want saltier.

Thicken the sauce

When beef is tender, mix cornstarch with cold water to make a smooth slurry. Increase heat to medium-high and stir the slurry into the simmering sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, 1–2 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

Stir in sliced scallions (reserve garnish) and sesame seeds. Remove from heat.

Serve: Spoon Heavenly Beef over cooked rice or mashed potatoes. Garnish with reserved scallions and optional cilantro or parsley.