Sticky Beijing Honey Sesame Beef Bites Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

If you find the sauce is not thick enough at the end of the cooking time, you can remove the beef with a slotted spoon and set the slow cooker to high for 15 minutes with the lid off. This will help reduce the liquid into a thicker, more concentrated glaze. Once it reaches the desired consistency, return the beef to the pot and toss it gently to coat it completely before serving.

For an even deeper flavor, you can sear the beef cubes in a hot skillet with a small amount of oil before adding them to the slow cooker.

While this is an extra step, the Maillard reaction from the browning process adds a complex, nutty depth to the beef that complements the sweetness of the honey glaze. Ensure you deglaze the skillet with a little water or soy sauce to capture all those browned bits and add them to the slow cooker.

Variations

• Spicy Honey Beef: Add two tablespoons of chili garlic sauce or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the glaze mixture before slow cooking to introduce a balanced, lingering heat.
• Citrus Infused Beef: Incorporate the zest of one orange and two tablespoons of fresh orange juice into the glaze to brighten the flavors and add a subtle, refreshing citrus aroma.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat until piping hot, adding a splash of water if the sauce has become too thick.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. The flavors often deepen overnight, making this an excellent dish for meal prepping.

Ensure the beef has cooled down to room temperature for no more than two hours before placing it in the fridge. When properly stored, the beef will stay delicious for up to three days, providing a quick and easy protein option for future meals throughout the week.

This dish is perfect for making ahead of time. You can assemble the ingredients in the slow cooker insert and refrigerate the entire unit overnight, then simply place it in the base and start the cooking process in the morning.

Alternatively, you can cook the entire dish, let it cool completely, and store it in the refrigerator. It reheats beautifully, and having it ready to go makes busy weeknights much more manageable and stress-free.

Serving ideas

Serve this beef over a fluffy bed of steamed jasmine or coconut rice to soak up the excess glaze. The neutral flavor of the rice provides the perfect backdrop for the bold, sweet, and savory profile of the honey sesame beef. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside some stir-fried bok choy or steamed broccoli to add a crisp, vegetal element that balances the richness of the meat.

For a more casual presentation, you can serve the beef bites in small bowls, garnished generously with the sesame seeds and scallions.

Providing a side of pickled ginger or a simple cucumber salad can add a refreshing acidity that cuts through the sweetness of the dish. This meal is versatile enough to be served for a cozy family dinner or as a standout main course for a casual gathering with friends.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Sticky Beijing Honey Sesame Beef Bites

Prep 10 minCook 6 hRest 5 minTotal 6 h 15 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 2 lb boneless beef short ribs, cubed
• 1/2 cup wildflower honey
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1 tsp Chinese five-spice
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• toasted white sesame seeds, for serving
• scallions, sliced, for serving

Instructions

1. In the ceramic slow cooker insert, combine the wildflower honey, soy sauce, Chinese five-spice, rice vinegar, tomato paste, and minced garlic. Whisk the ingredients together until the tomato paste is fully dissolved and the mixture is uniform. Add the cubed boneless beef short ribs to the insert and toss them thoroughly with the sauce until every piece is evenly coated.
2. Place the lid on the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Allow the beef to cook for six hours. The gentle, consistent heat will break down the connective tissue in the short ribs, resulting in meat that is exceptionally tender and succulent. Ensure the beef reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) and let it rest for at least 3 minutes before serving.
3. Once the beef is fall-apart tender, verify the internal temperature reaches at least 145°F (63°C). Allow the meat to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Plate the beef bites over a bed of steamed rice, spooning the thickened honey-sesame glaze generously over the top. Garnish with a shower of toasted white sesame seeds and freshly sliced scallions for a bright, crunchy finish.

Contains: gluten, soy, sesame

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

420

Protein

28.5 g

Carbohydrates

35.2 g

Fat

18.4 g

Fiber

0.8 g

Sugar

32.1 g

Sodium

850 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.