12 Comforting Japanese Beef Dishes for Easy Weeknight Meals

Gyudon: A Flavorful Japanese Beef Rice Bowl

"This dish is a popular Japanese fast food where tender beef and sweet caramelized onions are served over a bed of short-grain rice," says LittoBubbo. "It’s great served hot, cold, or at room temperature—perfect for school lunches, especially on warm days."

Beef Yakitori Skewers

This recipe begins with a simple marinade of soy sauce and ginger. Sirloin steak cubes are marinated, skewered, and grilled in just a few minutes. "The marinade made the meat incredibly tender and full of flavor—we loved it!" says GINAH1. "I added Vidalia onions and cherry tomatoes to the skewers. This one's a keeper!"

Japanese Wafu Burger

These classic Japanese-style burgers are made with a savory mix of ground beef, shiitake mushrooms, and firm tofu. Finished with a sweet and tangy mirin glaze, they’re served without a bun. "Absolutely delicious!" says Mariko eats. "I love pairing them with cooked daikon (Japanese radish) and a bowl of rice."

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Beef Sukiyaki

This classic Japanese dish features tender beef, vegetables, and noodles simmered in a savory broth made from dashi, mirin, and soy sauce. "We have a favorite place that serves beef sukiyaki, and this recipe came really close!" says Michelle. "It was fantastic."

Nikujaga: Japanese Meat and Potatoes

Thin slices of beef sirloin are simmered with potatoes and onions in a simple sauce made from prepared dashi, sake, and soy sauce. Many cooks have added more beef than the recipe suggests. Nikyma gives it 5 stars and shares, "So delicious! I have a Japanese foreign exchange student who was missing the flavors from home. He loved this! So did everyone who tried it."

Japanese Curry

"Japanese curry differs from Indian or Thai curries," says MMSVA. "It’s more like a rich, savory stew and can be either mild or spicy, depending on your preference. You can find curry roux in a range of heat levels at any international market. It can be served over white rice or with udon noodles. This recipe is very adaptable."

Japanese Minced Beef

This quick and easy recipe takes less than 20 minutes to prepare. Ground beef is cooked in a simple sauce made from freshly grated ginger, soy sauce, sake, mirin, and a touch of sugar. It’s the perfect mid-week dinner when served with rice.

Traditional Beef Sukiyaki

"This classic Japanese beef sukiyaki is a one-pot dish that's cooked right at the table. It’s absolutely delicious when dipped in a raw beaten egg and served with rice," says Brenda Sawyer Adamson.

Beef Kushiyaki

Thin slices of sirloin steak are marinated in a sweet and savory mix of mirin and soy sauce, then wrapped around pieces of green onion and broiled or grilled to perfection.

Japanese Beef Rolls

Thin slices of beef are wrapped around blanched asparagus and shiitake mushrooms. "You can prep this dish ahead of time and cook it in just minutes when you're ready to eat," says Elegant Chef. "It’s a healthy, satisfying meal that can be served with rice, or for a lighter option, enjoyed on its own."

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Instant Pot® Japanese Curry

Use your Instant Pot to make a Japanese-style curry with tender beef slices and vegetables simmered in a flavorful, spicy curry sauce. "Japanese curry is one of Japan’s national dishes, right up there with sushi, ramen, and miso soup," says Diana71. "It’s distinct from Indian or Thai curries, giving it its own unique flavor. Cooking it in the Instant Pot® ensures perfectly tender meat and a great texture. What I was always taught: never skip the roux for the base. Serve with rice!"

Easy Japanese Roast

In this Japanese-inspired slow-cooker recipe, combine a beef roast with broth, rice wine, ginger, and soy sauce. "This roast is adapted from a traditional Japanese recipe for cooking beef," says carnegie, the recipe contributor.

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