If you’re craving a dish that perfectly balances sweetness and savory comfort, the Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe should be the next one you try. This recipe brings tender, juicy beef tips coated in a luscious, homemade teriyaki sauce that’s bursting with flavor. Thanks to the Ninja Foodi’s pressure cooking magic, the beef comes out incredibly tender, soaking up every bit of the sweet and tangy sauce. It’s a dinner that feels indulgent yet is surprisingly simple to make, ideal for busy weeknights or special gatherings where you want to impress without the fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to achieving that perfect harmony of taste and texture in this dish. Each component plays a key role to balance sweetness, depth, and freshness, creating a mouthwatering sauce that clings beautifully to the beef.
- 1½ pounds beef tips or stew meat: Choose tender cuts that cook beautifully under pressure for juicy results.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Used for searing the beef to lock in flavor and develop that rich, caramelized crust.
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce: Adds the essential savory umami base while keeping the saltiness gentle.
- ⅓ cup brown sugar: Brings a warm, molasses sweetness that balances the tangy elements perfectly.
- ¼ cup honey: Lends natural sweetness and a sticky glaze that enhances the teriyaki effect.
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar: Introduces a subtle acidity that brightens the sauce.
- 2 tablespoons water: Helps create the perfect sauce consistency when mixed with cornstarch.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to a glossy finish that clings wonderfully to each beef tip.
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic: Adds savory depth and aroma essential to Asian-inspired dishes.
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger: Provides a zesty, slightly spicy kick for balance and warmth.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Enhances the overall flavor profile without overpowering.
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional): Adds a hint of nutty richness to elevate the sauce further.
- Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish: Bring texture and vibrant color to your final plate.
How to Make Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Beef
Begin by selecting the “Sauté” function on your Ninja Foodi and warming the olive oil in the pot. Once shimmering hot, add the beef tips, spreading them out to get even contact with the surface. Let them sear undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until deeply browned on all sides; this browning develops a rich flavor foundation that makes the dish irresistible. When done, turn off the sauté function to pause the cooking.
Step 2: Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce
While the beef is resting briefly, whisk together your soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, fresh ginger, black pepper, and the optional sesame oil in a bowl. This blend of sweet, tangy, and savory elements is the heart of the Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe and will infuse the meat with incredible flavor.
Step 3: Pressure Cook the Beef Tips
Pour the prepared sauce over the seared beef in the Ninja Foodi. Secure the lid, making sure it’s properly sealed. Set the unit to “Pressure Cook” on the high setting for 15 minutes. Once the timer finishes, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes—this gradual release helps the meat continue to tenderize gently—then quickly release any remaining pressure to open the pot.
Step 4: Thicken the Teriyaki Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water until smooth to create a slurry. Switch the Ninja Foodi back to “Sauté,” stirring the slurry into the beef and sauce mixture. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy, clingy consistency. This final step ensures every bite has that luscious teriyaki glaze signature to the Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe.
How to Serve Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe
Garnishes
To make the dish really pop visually and taste-wise, sprinkle fresh sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the beef tips right before serving. The sesame seeds add a subtle crunch and nuttiness, while the green onions bring a fresh, vibrant bite that brightens the entire plate.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs like a dream with steamed white rice or fluffy jasmine rice, which soak up the savory-sweet sauce beautifully. For a lighter option, try serving the beef tips alongside sautéed or steamed vegetables such as broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy that complement the Asian-inspired flavors and add wonderful texture contrasts.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to elevate the presentation, serve the beef tips over a bed of buttery garlic noodles or inside crunchy lettuce cups for a fun handheld treat. Garnishing with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and a drizzle of extra teriyaki sauce can transform simple plating into a restaurant-quality experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, place any leftover Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips in an airtight container and refrigerate. Stored this way, the beef will keep well for up to 3 days, allowing you to enjoy quick, delicious meals later in the week without any extra cooking.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully. Portion the beef and sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some room for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready for a comforting meal, thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the beef tips and sauce in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in a covered dish, stirring occasionally to ensure the sauce stays luscious and the beef remains tender. Adding a splash of water or broth can help loosen the sauce if it thickened too much in storage.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While beef tips or stew meat work best for tenderness and quick cooking, you can use sirloin or chuck roast cut into cubes. Just ensure the pieces are similar in size for even cooking in the Ninja Foodi.
Do I have to marinate the beef before cooking?
Marinating is optional but highly recommended if you have the time. Even a 30-minute soak in the teriyaki sauce amps up the flavor and helps tenderize the meat further.
Is the sesame oil necessary?
Sesame oil adds a lovely nutty aroma and depth, but if you don’t have it on hand, you can skip it. The dish will still be delicious and sweet-savory thanks to the other ingredients.
Can I make this recipe without a Ninja Foodi?
Yes! This recipe adapts well to a pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Just use similar settings and cooking times. If cooking on the stove, simmer the beef in the sauce for 1 to 1½ hours until tender, adjusting liquid as needed.
What can I serve this dish with for a low-carb option?
Try substituting rice or noodles with cauliflower rice or steamed green vegetables like broccoli or zucchini noodles to keep it low-carb without sacrificing flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly satisfying about making a dish that is quick to prepare but tastes like it took hours in the kitchen. The Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe is exactly that kind of recipe—simple, flavorful, and packed with comforting goodness that invites second helpings. Give it a shot, and I’m confident it will become one of your favorite go-to meals when you want a delicious Asian-inspired dinner that hits all the right notes!
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Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Dairy-Free
Description
Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips is a flavorful and tender Asian-inspired main course made by pressure cooking beef tips in a homemade sweet and savory teriyaki sauce. The beef is first seared to lock in juices, then cooked under high pressure to achieve melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The sauce is thickened and served over rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Beef and Marinade
- 1½ pounds beef tips or stew meat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
Thickening Slurry
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Turn the Ninja Foodi to the “Sauté” function and heat olive oil. Add beef tips and sear for 2–3 minutes until browned on all sides. This step locks in the juices and develops a rich flavor. Once browned, turn off the sauté function.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, black pepper, and sesame oil if using. This combination creates the sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce that complements the beef perfectly.
- Pressure Cook the Beef: Pour the prepared sauce over the seared beef in the Ninja Foodi. Close the lid and set the Ninja Foodi to “Pressure Cook” on high for 15 minutes to tenderize the beef and infuse it with the sauce flavors.
- Release Pressure: When cooking is complete, allow a 10-minute natural release to let the pressure decrease gently, then quick-release any remaining pressure to safely open the lid.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Turn the Ninja Foodi back to “Sauté,” stir in the slurry, and cook for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency that will coat the beef beautifully.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the sweet teriyaki beef tips hot over rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a burst of flavor and a decorative finish.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the beef in the teriyaki sauce for 30 minutes before cooking to deepen the taste.
- This dish reheats well, making it an excellent option for meal prep and leftovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
