Beef Tataki with Yuzu Dressing

Beef tataki is a Japanese classic featuring lightly seared beef sliced thin and paired with a bright citrus-soy dressing. Elegant yet simple, this dish balances umami with refreshing notes of yuzu, making it perfect for dinner parties, date nights, or whenever you want to impress with minimal effort.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: ASIAN, Japanese

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

For the Beef

250 g beef tenderloin premium option, evenly cut
300 g sirloin steak (New York strip/porterhouse) easier option
1/2 tbsp neutral oil vegetable, grapeseed, or light olive oil
1/4 tsp kosher or sea salt

For the Yuzu Dressing

1 tbsp sake (cooking sake)
2 tsp mirin
1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar substitute
1 1/2 tbsp Japanese soy sauce regular strength (use tamari for gluten-free)
1 tbsp yuzu juice or 1/2 tbsp each lime + lemon juice

For the Garlic Oil (optional)

2 tbsp grapeseed or light olive oil
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced about 2 mm thick

For the Crispy Topping

crispy potato straws (Pommes Paille) elegant option
crispy fried shallots store-bought, quick option

For Garnish

1 green onion, finely sliced can curl in iced water for flair

Method

For Beef Tenderloin: Preheat oven to 130°C (275°F). Rub beef with oil, season with salt, and place on a rack over a tray.
Roast 18–20 minutes until center reaches 41°C (105°F). Check at 15 minutes to avoid overcooking.
Sear each side in a smoking-hot skillet for 10 seconds to form a crust. Cool 30 minutes, then refrigerate uncovered for 2 hours.
Slice beef into 3 mm (1/16") thin slices with a sharp knife.
For the Dressing: Simmer sake and mirin for 1 minute. Cool, then whisk in soy sauce, vinegar, and yuzu (or lime/lemon).
For Garlic Oil (optional): Cook garlic slices in oil over low heat for 5 minutes until pale golden. Cool, strain, and set aside.
Assemble: Arrange beef slices slightly overlapping on a platter. Drizzle with dressing and garlic oil. Top with crispy potatoes or shallots, and garnish with green onion. Serve immediately.
Easy Sirloin Option: Rub steak with oil and salt. Sear 1½–2 minutes per side (rare). Cool, slice thinly, and serve as above.

Notes

Use tamari for gluten-free. Yuzu can be substituted with lime + lemon. Slice beef thinly for best texture. Prep ahead by making beef and dressing in advance, then assemble before serving.