If you’re looking for the ultimate crowd-pleaser for summer grilling—or honestly, any time you want ingredient-packed flavor—these Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers are the answer. Each juicy morsel of steak gets drenched in an irresistible sweet-savory marinade with fresh ginger, garlic and a kick of chili, then kissed by the grill until perfectly charred. If you only try one new grilling recipe this year, let it be this one!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbeatable Flavor Explosion: The combination of fresh ginger, garlic, soy, and a subtle chili kick creates a depth of flavor no store-bought marinade can match.
- Quick Cook—Big Impact: Once you’ve marinated, these skewers sear up in just minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous gatherings.
- Super Versatile: Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers work equally well as a centerpiece for dinner, a fun appetizer, or even meal prep for lunches.
- Crowd Friendly & Customizable: They’re easy to adjust for spice, serve family style, and always disappear faster than you can grill them!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about what makes Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers such a knockout: every ingredient brings something exciting to the table. With only a handful of pantry staples and a few fresh essentials, you’ll have everything you need for irresistible results.
- Flank Steak: This cut is tender, flavorful, and perfect for soaking up all the delicious marinade—just remember to slice against the grain for the juiciest bites.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce: The backbone of our marinade adds savory depth without going overboard on salt.
- Rice Vinegar: A dash of tang brightens up every bite and balances the rich flavors.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness and helps with caramelization and gorgeous grill marks.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Nutty, aromatic, and totally essential for that sesame flavor—don’t skip it!
- Fresh Ginger Root and Garlic: These bold aromatics make the marinade pop; fresh is best for both, trust me.
- Chili Garlic Sauce: Lends just the right amount of heat and complexity; adjust to your spice preference.
- Ketchup: It sounds surprising, but ketchup adds a touch of tangy sweetness and gives that glorious gloss to your skewers.
Variations
Want to play around with the flavors or need to accommodate dietary needs? Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers are one of those recipes that’s totally open to riffing—making it easy to suit any occasion, craving, or ingredient you have on hand.
- Chicken Instead of Beef: Swap out the flank steak for boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts for a lighter twist (and a new weeknight favorite).
- Vegetarian Version: Extra-firm tofu or portobello mushroom slices soak up the marinade beautifully and grill up rich and satisfying.
- Sweet & Spicy Upgrade: Add a tablespoon of honey to the marinade and a few flakes of red pepper for even more contrast in flavor.
- Low Carb Adaptation: Simply swap brown sugar for a low-glycemic sweetener—everything else is already keto-friendly.
How to Make Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers
Step 1: Make the Sesame Ginger Marinade
Start by whisking together soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, fresh ginger, minced garlic, chili garlic sauce, and ketchup in a mixing bowl. This aromatic marinade is the key to super-charged flavor—don’t be shy about giving it a taste to adjust for sweetness or heat.
Step 2: Slice and Marinate the Steak
Slice your flank steak against the grain into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick. This guarantees maximum tenderness in every bite. Toss the steak strips in the marinade, ensuring they’re fully coated, then let them soak in all those gingery, garlicky flavors for at least a few hours (overnight is even better if you have the time).
Step 3: Thread and Prep for the Grill
Once the steak has marinated to perfection, thread the strips onto skewers, leaving about two inches free on each end for easy handling. Discard any leftover marinade—most of its magic is already in the meat! If you’re using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for 30 minutes first to prevent burning.
Step 4: Grill to Sizzling Perfection
Preheat your grill to high heat. Grill the skewers for just 2–3 minutes per side, turning once, until you see irresistible grill marks and the steak is cooked to your liking. Because the strips are thin, they cook super fast—so stay close and enjoy the aroma!
Pro Tips for Making Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers
- Ginger Freshness: Grate ginger just before mixing the marinade for the boldest, brightest flavor—it’s totally worth the extra minute.
- Ultra-Tender Steak: Marinate the flank steak for at least 4 hours, but overnight marinating does wonders for both flavor and tenderness.
- Skewer Smart: If you want perfectly even cooking, thread each steak strip in a zigzag pattern, leaving space between each piece on the skewer for better caramelization.
- High Heat, Short Grill: Sear hot and fast—don’t walk away! The thinner steak strips cook in no time, leaving you juicy, caramelized bites every time.
How to Serve Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers
Garnishes
To put the finishing touch on your Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers, try a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Add a dash of fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime for extra zing—just before serving is best to keep every bite fresh and vibrant.
Side Dishes
These skewers are absolute stars alongside steamed jasmine rice, a tangy cucumber salad, or garlicky stir-fried greens. For entertaining, pair them with a simple Asian slaw or peanut noodles—the flavors complement beautifully and make for a delicious, colorful spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers on a platter in a starburst pattern and scatter edible flowers or vibrant herbs over the top for a party-ready look. For a fun twist, serve with mini bowls of extra marinade (boiled first!) or a quick chili mayo for dipping. They’re also perfect for lunch boxes or party sliders—just slide grilled steak off the skewers onto crusty rolls with crisp veggies!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let your Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container. They’ll keep happily in the fridge for up to 3 days without losing their juicy texture or savory depth.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze these skewers! After grilling, simply wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. To prevent freezer burn, I like to double-wrap with plastic wrap and a layer of foil, or use freezer bags for ease.
Reheating
To reheat Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers, thaw in the fridge if frozen, then gently warm on a grill or skillet over medium heat for just a couple minutes per side. You can also microwave in short bursts, but covering them with a damp paper towel helps retain moisture.
FAQs
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What’s the best cut of beef for Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers?
Flank steak is the top choice for this recipe thanks to its big flavor and tender texture, especially when sliced against the grain. You could also use skirt steak or even sirloin if preferred.
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Can I make the marinade ahead of time?
Absolutely! The marinade can be whisked together and stored in the fridge up to 3 days in advance. Give it a stir before adding your steak for maximum impact.
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Can these skewers be cooked indoors?
Yes! When grilling outdoors isn’t an option, you can use a grill pan or broil the skewers in your oven. Just make sure to preheat well and keep an eye on them since the steak cooks quickly.
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How spicy are Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers?
They have a mild, balanced heat from the chili garlic sauce, but you can easily adjust the spice level to your taste—either dial it up with more chili or keep things mild for the whole family to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
If you love bold flavors and fun, crowd-pleasing grilling, you’ll fall hard for these Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers. Make them once and they’ll become a staple at your table—don’t be surprised when everyone asks for the recipe (and for seconds!). Enjoy every juicy, ginger-kissed bite!
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Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 Skewers 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Sesame Ginger Steak Skewers are a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for grilling season. The tender flank steak is marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic, then grilled to perfection. The sesame oil adds a nutty aroma, while the chili garlic sauce gives a hint of heat. Serve these skewers at your next barbecue for a crowd-pleasing meal!
Ingredients
Ingredients for the marinade:
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce, more or less to taste
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
Other:
- 2 lbs Flank Steak
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium to large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, chili garlic sauce, and ketchup. Set aside.
- Marinate the steak: Slice the flank steak against the grain into 1/4 inch slices. Add the steak slices to the marinade, tossing to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
- Skewer the steak: Thread the marinated steak slices onto skewers, leaving 2 inches of space on each end. Discard excess marinade.
- Grill the skewers: Preheat grill to high heat. Grill skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until desired doneness is reached.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Skewer
- Calories: 138 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 478mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
