There is something undeniably comforting and downright delicious about a perfectly cooked beef dish glazed in a luscious sweet and savory sauce, and the Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe absolutely delivers on that promise. This recipe combines tender sirloin tips with a rich teriyaki glaze that’s bursting with flavor, made even easier and more impressive thanks to the handy Ninja Foodi. Whether you’re craving a cozy weeknight dinner or want to impress your friends with minimal effort, this dish blends sweet, salty, and umami notes to create a dish that everyone will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in the Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe has a vital role in building layers of flavor, depth, and texture. These simple but essential components come together to create that perfect balance of tenderness, sweetness, and slight tang that makes this dish memorable.
- 1 ½ pounds beef sirloin tips: Choose tender sirloin for juicy, bite-sized pieces that cook quickly and stay moist.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: For searing the beef, adding a subtle richness and ensuring a beautiful crust.
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth: Adds savory depth without overpowering the teriyaki glaze.
- ½ cup teriyaki sauce: The sweet and soy-based foundation that gives the dish its signature flavor.
- ¼ cup brown sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps to caramelize the sauce for a glossy finish.
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce: Introduces an extra salty, umami boost for robust flavor.
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar: Adds a bright, tangy note that balances the sweetness beautifully.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses warmth and aroma for an irresistible savory kick.
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger: Offers a fresh, slightly spicy zing that lifts the entire dish.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water: Thickens the sauce to luscious perfection.
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional): Adds nutty flavor and a lovely crunch as a finishing touch.
- Sliced green onions for garnish: A fresh, mild onion flavor that brightens every bite.
How to Make Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Beef Tips
Start by turning your Ninja Foodi to Sauté mode and heating the olive oil until it’s shimmering. Add the sirloin tips in a single layer and sear them until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step locks in flavor and juices, which are key for tender, flavorful beef in the final dish. Once browned, press Cancel to stop the Sauté mode.
Step 2: Mix and Add the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. This combo creates a perfect sweet and tangy teriyaki glaze. Pour this mixture over your seared beef tips inside the Ninja Foodi.
Step 3: Pressure Cook the Beef
Close the lid of the Ninja Foodi securely and set the valve to Seal. Select Pressure Cook on High and set the timer for 15 minutes. This pressure cooking step tenderizes the beef quickly while allowing it to soak up the teriyaki flavors deeply. Once the cooking time is done, allow a natural release of pressure for 10 minutes—this keeps the meat juicy—then quickly release any remaining pressure.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce
Switch your Ninja Foodi back to Sauté mode. Stir in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and cook the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes. This thickening step transforms the cooking liquid into a rich, glossy glaze that clings beautifully to the beef tips, making every bite irresistible.
How to Serve Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe
Garnishes
To add an extra burst of flavor and texture, sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the dish right before serving. The sesame seeds provide a subtle nutty crunch, while the green onions add a refreshing sharpness that perfectly complements the sweet teriyaki sauce.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with simple steamed white or jasmine rice to soak up all that incredible sauce. For a bit more color and nutrition, serve alongside steamed broccoli or snap peas. These greens add a crisp, fresh contrast to the tender beef and sweet glaze.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the sweet teriyaki beef tips atop a bed of cauliflower rice or even inside lettuce wraps for a lighter bite. You can also plate it alongside stir-fried noodles tossed with a little sesame oil and sliced bell peppers for a vibrant, colorful meal that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the beef tips cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, they will stay fresh for up to 3 days. This makes it easy to prepare in advance and enjoy tasty leftovers during the week.
Freezing
If you want to keep the dish longer, the Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe freezes beautifully. Place cooled portions into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Just remember to label your containers with the date for easy meal planning.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen it up while reheating. This will bring back that silky sauce texture as if freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While sirloin tips are ideal for their tenderness and quick cooking time, you can substitute with flank steak or stew meat. Just keep in mind that tougher cuts will require increasing the pressure cook time by about 5 minutes to become tender.
Is it possible to make this recipe spicy?
Yes! To spice things up, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when mixing the sauce, or drizzle some sriracha over the finished dish. This adds a wonderful heat contrast to the sweet teriyaki glaze.
Can I prepare this recipe without a Ninja Foodi?
While the Ninja Foodi makes pressure cooking simple and fast, you can achieve similar results with a standard pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Simply follow the same steps and cooking times. You can also cook the beef on the stovetop, but it will take longer to tenderize.
What do I do if my sauce is too thin or too thick?
If your sauce is too thin, return the beef tips to Sauté mode and add a little more cornstarch slurry to thicken it gradually. If it’s too thick, stir in a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the consistency until it reaches your desired gloss and texture.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To keep this recipe gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce and teriyaki sauce. Many brands offer certified gluten-free options that will maintain the dish’s authentic taste without any gluten concerns.
Final Thoughts
The Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe is one of those meals that feels like an instant classic—simple to make, full of flavor, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re new to the Ninja Foodi or a seasoned fan, this recipe is a fantastic way to showcase tender beef with that perfect balance of sweet and savory that teriyaki lovers adore. I encourage you to give it a try, and soon it will become a favorite in your dinner rotation, just like it is in mine!
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Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Dairy-Free
Description
This Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips recipe features tender, juicy beef sirloin tips cooked to perfection in a flavorful teriyaki sauce. Utilizing the Ninja Foodi’s pressure cooking and sauté modes, the beef is seared for a rich crust, then pressure cooked to tenderize and infuse with a sweet and savory blend of teriyaki, garlic, ginger, and soy. Finished with a thickened sauce and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, this dish is a quick, delicious main course perfect for serving over rice.
Ingredients
Beef and Searing
- 1 ½ pounds beef sirloin tips, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- ½ cup teriyaki sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
Thickening and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (cornstarch slurry)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- Sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Turn the Ninja Foodi to Sauté mode and heat the olive oil. Add the beef tips and sear until browned on all sides, about 5–7 minutes. Once browned, press Cancel to stop the sauté mode.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger until well combined.
- Pressure Cook: Pour the prepared sauce over the seared beef in the Ninja Foodi. Close the lid of the Foodi and set the valve to the Seal position. Pressure cook on High for 15 minutes to tenderize the beef and develop flavors.
- Release Pressure: After cooking, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release to let out any remaining pressure.
- Thicken the Sauce: Switch back to Sauté mode. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to a rich, glossy consistency.
- Serve: Spoon the beef tips and thickened teriyaki sauce over steamed rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute flank steak or stew meat if sirloin isn’t available; however, increase the pressure cooking time by 5 minutes for tougher cuts.
- For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture before cooking.
- Serve with steamed rice or your favorite grain to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
