Bring big flavour to your next cookout with these easy beef satay skewers. Served with creamy peanut dipping sauce, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for family-friendly grilling and backyard entertaining

These flavour-packed beef satay skewers are just the thing for backyard barbecues, casual summer dinners or entertaining family and friends. Made with tender flank or sirloin steak marinated in a zesty blend of orange juice, soy sauce, ginger and garlic, the beef stays juicy and full of flavour on the grill. The best part? It’s a recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to eat—kids will love helping to thread the beef onto skewers, and who doesn’t love a good dip? The creamy, tangy peanut sauce served on the side delivers in spades.

Whether you’re serving these satay skewers as an appetizer to start your meal or piling them onto plates as a main course, they’re a delicious and versatile option. Pair with rice, fresh veggies or a crisp salad for a complete meal that’s sure to please.

Ingredients for Beef Satay with Peanut Sauce

1 1/2 lb (750 g) flank or sirloin steak, trimmed of excess fat

Satay marinade

3/4 cup orange juice
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp grated ginger
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 green onions, finely chopped

Peanut sauce

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup coconut milk or water
2 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
2 tsp finely grated ginger
1 garlic clove, finely crushed
1/4 tsp curry powder or paste

Directions for Beef Satay with Peanut Sauce

  1. Set 12 bamboo skewers to soak in a baking dish of water for at least 15 min.
  2. Thinly slice the steak across the grain. Put all marinade ingredients into a bowl or large, heavy resealable bag. Add the sliced beef to the marinade, then stir to combine well. Refrigerate overnight. (It can also be made ahead to this point and frozen in its marinade.)
  3. In a large lidded jar, combine all of the peanut sauce ingredients and shake to combine (alternatively, you can blend in a blender). NOTE: If your peanut butter is cold or a little on the hard side, warm it in the microwave before adding to the sauce mixture to make it easier to blend.
  4. Remove beef from marinade. Thread a piece of beef onto each bamboo skewer, weaving back and forth into an S shape.
  5. When you’re ready to head out to the barbecue, heat the grill to medium-high. Place on the preheated grill and cook for a few minutes per side, turning as needed, until the beef is golden and just cooked through. (If you're making these indoors, you can also broil skewers on a parchment-lined baking sheet for a few minutes per side, until cooked through.)
  6. Serve immediately, with peanut sauce for dipping.

Serves 6.

Originally published in ParentsCanada magazine, October 2015.