Aburi Steak

“Aburi,” the technique applied to this aburi steak, means flame-seared in Japanese. The technique is often applied to raw fish, but it works well for tender, marbled beef cuts, too. A butane torch lets you customize the doneness. Torch less or more depending on how charred you like it.

Aburi steak served on a round, orange plate.
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Freeze Time:
1 hr
Cool Time:
45 mins
Marinate Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 45 mins
Servings:
24
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 24 servings

  • 1 (12 to 16 ounce) boneless rib eye steak

  • 1/2 cup short grain white rice

  • 3/4 cup water

  • 2 teaspoons rice vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon white sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 cup less-sodium soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

  • 1 tablespoon Asian-style chili paste (such as sambal oelek)

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 1/3 cup sour cream

  • 1/4 teaspoon lime zest

  • 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

  • 2 teaspoons wasabi paste, or more to taste

  • 2 teaspoons furikake seasoning or toasted sesame seeds

Directions

  1. Put steak on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze until just firm, about 1 hour.

  2. Meanwhile, for sushi rice, rinse rice under cold running water, rubbing grains together with your fingers. Combine rice and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, until tender and sticky, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir together vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Stir into rice. Cover; let cool about 45 minutes.

  3. Meanwhile, thinly slice steak across the grain into 24 (1/4-inch-thick) slices. Transfer steak to a zip-top bag set in a shallow dish.

  4. Whisk together soy sauce, maple syrup, chili paste, and oil in a small bowl. Pour over steak in bag; seal bag. Chill at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.

  5. For sauce, whisk together sour cream, lime zest, lime juice, and wasabi paste.

  6. Shape rice with wet hands into 24 (1-tablespoon) oval-shaped portions. Drain steak; discard marinade. Put steak on a foil-lined baking sheet set on a wire rack. Char steak with a kitchen torch, turning once, until desired doneness, about 5 minutes for entire recipe. Put 1 steak piece on each rice portion. Sprinkle with furikake seasoning and serve with sauce.

    Recipe Tip:

    When using a torch, set a foil-lined pan on a wire rack to protect your work surface from the heat.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

60 Calories
4g Fat
2g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Calories 60
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 13mg 4%
Sodium 106mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 54mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.