Sweet Spicy Jerk Beef Bites (Printable)
Sweet-spicy jerk-marinated beef bites seared until caramelized; finish with cilantro and lime wedges.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Beef
01 - 1.1 lb beef sirloin or flank steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
→ Marinade
02 - 2 tbsp gluten-free soy sauce
03 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tbsp dark brown sugar
06 - 2 tsp Jamaican jerk seasoning
07 - 1 tsp hot sauce (Scotch bonnet preferred)
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
10 - 1 tsp ground allspice
11 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
12 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
13 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Garnish
16 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Lime wedges for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, lime juice, olive oil, dark brown sugar, jerk seasoning, hot sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, allspice, cinnamon, thyme, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add the beef cubes to the marinade and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for a more intense flavor profile.
03 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat until it begins to lightly smoke, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Remove the beef from the marinade, discarding any excess liquid. Sear the beef bites in batches without overcrowding the pan, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes per side until deeply caramelized and reaching your preferred level of doneness.
05 - Transfer the hot beef bites to a serving platter, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, and arrange lime wedges alongside for squeezing over the top. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade does all the heavy lifting so you mostly just sear and serve.
- That sticky caramelized crust on the beef is genuinely addictive.
- They disappear at parties faster than anything else you could bring.
02 -
- Do not crowd the pan because steaming is the enemy of that beautiful caramelized crust.
- Marinating overnight in the fridge transforms good beef bites into something extraordinary.
03 -
- Pat the marinated beef cubes dry with a paper towel before searing to get a much better crust.
- A cast iron skillet holds heat more evenly than any other pan and makes a noticeable difference here.