Here’s a flavorful recipe for Tender Caramelized Beef with Pineapple — think thinly sliced beef, marinated and seared until caramelized, paired with juicy pineapple chunks that balance the richness with tropical sweetness.
🍍 Tender Caramelized Beef with Pineapple
🥩 Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 cup fresh pineapple, cut into chunks (or canned, drained)
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)
- Optional: red chili flakes or sliced Thai chilies (for heat)
- Garnish: sesame seeds, green onions, fresh cilantro
🧂 Marinade (combine and toss with beef):
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Let beef marinate at least 30 minutes (or overnight for max tenderness)
🔥 Instructions:
- Prep pineapple: If using fresh, lightly sear pineapple chunks in a hot pan until browned on the edges. Set aside.
- Cook beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add marinated beef (in batches if needed) and sear quickly, 2–3 mins per side, until nicely browned and caramelized. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pan, add onions, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add sauce & pineapple: Return beef to the pan along with pineapple. Add a splash of soy sauce and a bit more brown sugar or honey to help caramelize. Stir-fry 1–2 more minutes until sticky and glossy.
- Finish: Drizzle with rice vinegar or lime juice for balance. Taste and adjust salt/sweetness/spice.
- Serve: Over steamed rice, jasmine rice, or even noodles. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro.
📝 Tips:
- Tender beef: Freezing the steak for 30 minutes makes it easier to slice very thin.
- Make it saucy: Add 1/4 cup beef broth or pineapple juice during the final stir-fry for more sauce.
- Add veggies: Bell peppers, snow peas, or carrots go great with this combo.