How to Make Miniature Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry

Teriyaki beef stir fry is a classic Asian dish that is full of flavor. The beef is coated in a sweet and salty teriyaki sauce and stir fried with colorful vegetables. While traditionally made with slices of steak, teriyaki beef stir fry can also be made in miniature form with ground beef. Mini teriyaki beef stir fries are a fun bite-sized appetizer or meal that packs all the delicious flavors of the original dish into miniature portions.

Overview of Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry

Teriyaki beef stir fry starts with thinly sliced beef, usually a tender cut like flank steak or sirloin. The beef is coated in a homemade teriyaki marinade, then quickly stir fried in a skillet along with vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, snow peas, etc. After the vegetables are crisp-tender, they are removed from the pan and set aside. Next, the beef is seared in the hot skillet just until browned. Finally, the vegetables and beef are combined back together and coated with a homemade thick and glossy teriyaki sauce. The sauce clings to the beef and vegetables for a sweet, salty and savory packed flavor in every bite.

Traditional teriyaki sauce is made from soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, honey, rice vinegar and sesame oil. Cornstarch is whisked in at the end to thicken the sauce so it nicely coats the ingredients. The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Tips for Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry

• Use flank steak or sirloin cut into thin strips across the grain for tender beef.
• Sear beef in batches in very hot pan to get nice browning.
• Cook sturdier vegetables like broccoli and carrots first. Add more delicate veggies like snow peas at the end.
• Serve over steamed white or brown rice.
• Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

How to Make Miniature Teriyaki Beef Stir Fries

To transform teriyaki beef stir fry into bite-sized appetizers, the key is to use ground beef instead of steak. The ground beef can be formed into balls or patties, then coated in the teriyaki sauce and pan fried until cooked through. Pair the mini beef teriyakis with tiny portions of vegetables to create a complete miniature meal.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make miniature teriyaki beef stir fries:

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1⁄4 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 cup mixed diced vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, snow peas, etc.)
• Vegetable oil for cooking
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked rice
• Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish

Instructions

1. Make the teriyaki sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic and ginger, honey, rice vinegar and sesame oil in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil then whisk in cornstarch slurry to thicken. Set aside.

2. Form the beef: Divide ground beef into 16 equal portions. Gently form each portion into a 1-inch patty or meatball.

3. Coat the beef: Place beef patties/balls into teriyaki sauce and turn to coat evenly. Let marinate 15 minutes.

4. Cook the beef: Heat a skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.

5. Cook the vegetables: Heat more oil in skillet if needed. Add carrots and broccoli first. Cook 2 minutes then add bell peppers and snow peas. Cook 1-2 more minutes until crisp-tender.

6. Assemble: Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of rice onto each of 8 plates. Top each with 2 beef patties or balls and 1-2 tablespoons of vegetables. Drizzle with extra teriyaki sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

7. Serve immediately while beef and vegetables are hot. Enjoy!

Variations

• Use ground chicken, turkey, pork or vegetarian crumbles instead of beef.
• Form beef into meatballs instead of patties.
• Use different vegetables like mushrooms, bok choy, edamame, etc.
• Serve over quinoa or cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
• Drizzle with sriracha for a spicy kick.

Tips for Making Miniature Meals

Making any dish into miniature appetizer portions takes a little creativity and planning. Here are some helpful tips:

• Figure about 2 bite-sized portions per person if serving as an appetizer. For a miniature meal, plan for 4-5 pieces per person.

• Pick vegetables that can be cut into small pieces or thinly sliced. Good options are carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, snap peas, bok choy.

• Cook any vegetables that require longer cooking like broccoli and carrots first. Add quick cooking veggies like snow peas and spinach at the end.

• Portion out any rice or grains before assembling the dish. Cooked quinoa also makes a nice base.

• Sauce is key! Having a flavorful sauce helps tie everything together. Teriyaki, curry sauces, peanut sauce, etc. all work well.

• Spear layered ingredients on short skewers or toothpicks so they hold together while eating.

• Chill assembled miniature dishes before serving if possible so they firm up slightly.

• Garnish with herbs, seeds, chopped nuts or scallions to add color and texture.

Benefits of Miniature Meals

There are many advantages to scaling down a traditionally large dish into miniature appetizer-sized portions:

• Variety – Allows people to sample several items rather than committing to just one large plate.

• Portion control – Keeps servings sizes in check while still enjoying all the flavors.

• Fun presentation – Visually appealing to see everything separated into bites vs one big mix.

• Creative take – Gives a new twist to classic dishes people are familiar with.

• Appetizer style – Easy to eat as a passed hors d’oeuvre or station at parties.

• Kid-friendly – Appeals to picky eaters and children who enjoy dipping and loading up mini skewers.

While teriyaki beef stir fry is already quick and easy to make, the miniature version takes it to a whole new level of fun. Made with ground beef and bite-sized vegetables these mini beef teriyaki stir fries are bursting with big flavor in every bite. Perfect as an appetizer or light meal, this creative twist on a classic is sure to be a hit!