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Gyudon (Japanese Beef Bowl)

Gyudon is a quick weeknight dinner that delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes. This beloved dish layers tender beef and caramelized onions over steaming rice, all bound together by a savory-sweet sauce that makes you want to scrape the bowl clean.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound beef sirloin or ribeye thinly sliced
  • 2 large yellow onions sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 3 cups cooked sushi rice or short-grain rice warm
Sauce
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup mirin sweet rice wine
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sake dry rice wine
Aromatics and Oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Garnish (Optional)
  • Green onions sliced
  • Sesame seeds

Equipment

  • Large skillet or wok
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Small bowl for mixing sauce
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Knife for slicing beef and onions
  • Serving bowls

Method
 

  1. Slice the beef as thinly as possible, about 1/8-inch thick; freezing the beef for 30 minutes before slicing makes this much easier. Slice the onions into 1/4-inch pieces and mince the garlic and ginger.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake until the sugar dissolves completely.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes, then add 1 tablespoon of oil and swirl to coat evenly.
  4. Add the sliced beef in a single layer and let it sear without moving for 45 seconds until lightly browned on one side. Stir and cook for another 30 seconds until the beef is just cooked through, then transfer to a clean plate.
  5. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the same skillet and add the onions, stirring occasionally for 5 to 7 minutes until they become golden and slightly translucent.
  6. Push the onions to the side and add the minced garlic and ginger to the cleared space, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine with the onions and aromatics. Return the beef to the pan along with any juices that accumulated on the plate, and toss gently for another minute until everything is coated and heated through.
  8. Divide the warm cooked rice among serving bowls and top each portion with the beef and onion mixture, spooning extra sauce over everything. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the skillet when searing the beef; if you do, it steams instead of sears and becomes tough. Slice the beef against the grain for maximum tenderness. Use fresh ginger and garlic rather than pre-minced versions. Cook your rice fresh or reheat it just before serving so it's hot and fluffy when you plate the beef. Don't skimp on the sauce; it's what makes gyudon special. Store the beef and sauce mixture separately from the rice in airtight containers for up to 3 days. The sauce actually improves after a day as flavors meld.