Elegant Homemade Beef Steak Bites
Elegant Homemade Beef Steak Bites
Chef Cha Seung-won’s Steak Sauce Recipe for Delicious Homemade Steak Bites, Just Like a Restaurant
Introducing an exquisite beef main dish that captivates children’s palates – Steak Bites! When stir-fried with a savory sauce based on ketchup and tonkatsu sauce, you can create a special meal at home that rivals any restaurant. Inspired by the steak bites featured on ‘Three Meals a Day: Light’ by Chef Cha Seung-won and actor Kim Nam-il, I decided to make this dish using beef chuck flap tail and fresh vegetables I had on hand. As expected, my children recognized the familiar taste and showed great anticipation even before the meal was ready. On a rainy, gloomy day when the kids weren’t feeling their best, this steak bite dish helped them finish their dinner in no time! The flavorful special sauce perfectly coats the vegetables, making everything incredibly delicious – a truly foolproof recipe. Using olive oil for an initial marinade tenderizes the beef beautifully. Then, after preparing the vegetables, a quick stir-fry with the savory sauce completes the dish! While tenderloin or sirloin are excellent choices, the beef chuck flap tail I used today offers a delightful tenderness and satisfying chew, making it ideal for steak bites. I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to prepare incredibly tender and flavorful steak bites using various cuts of beef.
Steak Bite Ingredients- Beef Chuck Flap Tail 500g
- Whole Garlic Cloves 10
- Onion 1/2
- Red Bell Pepper 1/2
- Orange Bell Pepper 1/2
- Button Mushrooms 3-4 (or Shiitake Mushrooms)
- Butter 15g
Beef Marinade Ingredients- Olive Oil 3 Tbsp
- Salt 1 tsp
- Sugar 1/3 Tbsp
- Black Pepper to taste
Special Steak Bite Sauce- Ketchup 4 Tbsp
- Tonkatsu Sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide 1 Tbsp
- Black Pepper to taste
- Olive Oil 3 Tbsp
- Salt 1 tsp
- Sugar 1/3 Tbsp
- Black Pepper to taste
Special Steak Bite Sauce- Ketchup 4 Tbsp
- Tonkatsu Sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide 1 Tbsp
- Black Pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
For the steak bites, I’ve chosen tender beef chuck flap tail, sliced thickly for a pleasing texture and chew. Of course, tenderloin or sirloin cuts are also excellent for this dish. I used a nicely marbled chunk of chuck flap tail, which I had prepared for grilling. To remove any gamey odor, gently press the beef with paper towels to blot away excess moisture.
Step 2
Cut the prepared beef into bite-sized cubes, about 2-3cm thick, and place them in a bowl for marinating. Aim for a uniform, chunky square shape.
Step 3
Add all the marinade ingredients to the bowl with the beef and mix well. The marinade consists of 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/3 tablespoon of sugar, and a pinch of black pepper.
Step 4
Cover the marinated beef with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours. This marinating period allows the flavors to penetrate deeply, ensuring a more tender and delicious result.
Step 5
Prepare the vegetables that will add flavor and color to your steak bites. Peel and slice about 10 whole garlic cloves; if they are very large, slice them thinly. While button mushrooms are common, shiitake or king oyster mushrooms, cut into small pieces, also provide a delightful chewy texture. For vibrant colors, slice half of a red and half of an orange bell pepper. Chop half an onion into cubes, similar in size to the beef pieces.
Step 6
Heat a pan over high heat. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry quickly. It’s crucial to sear the outside of the beef rapidly over high heat to seal in the juices.
Step 7
Once the beef is partially cooked, add a little more black pepper for enhanced flavor and continue to stir-fry briefly.
Step 8
Push the cooked beef to one side of the pan. Now, it’s time to create a fragrant garlic oil. Sautéing the garlic will infuse the dish with its wonderful aroma.
Step 9
Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan and sauté the sliced garlic until golden brown and fragrant.
Step 10
Once the garlic is nicely browned, add a knob of butter to enrich the flavor. Then, return the seared beef to the pan and stir-fry together lightly. The butter will coat the beef with its rich, nutty taste.
Step 11
Add all the prepared vegetables to the beef coated with the buttery garlic flavor. Stir-fry them gently, being careful not to overcook them to a mushy texture.
Step 12
Gently toss and stir-fry all the ingredients until they are well combined. Now it’s time to add the special ‘Three Meals a Day: Light’ steak bite sauce and continue cooking.
Step 13
For the sauce, prepare 4 tablespoons of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of tonkatsu sauce, 1 tablespoon of oligosaccharide, and a pinch of black pepper. While the ‘Three Meals a Day’ recipe suggests adding a little water, we’ll omit it here as the moisture released from the vegetables will provide sufficient liquid for a perfectly saucy dish. Pour all the sauce ingredients into the pan and stir well as they cook.
Step 14
After stir-frying, taste the steak bites and adjust seasoning as needed. If it lacks flavor, consider adding a little more ketchup or tonkatsu sauce. I personally added an extra tablespoon of tonkatsu sauce to perfectly suit my taste. Even though it features many vegetables, the sauce made everything incredibly delicious! The sauce preparation is straightforward, so with the ingredients ready, you can make this dish very quickly. It’s a flavor that children absolutely love, making it a perfect and satisfying main course for the whole family. Plus, its elegant presentation makes it an excellent choice for a snack or appetizer with drinks! Prepare these delicious beef steak bites today and enjoy them with your loved ones!
