Soy Butter Steak Donburi (Quick, Easy, 40+ Grams of Protein)

Tender, juicy steak with a perfect crust over garlicky rice and pan-grilled broccoli, all with a salty, glossy sauce to complement. Simple, clean, delicious.

What does Donburi Mean?

Donburi is the name of a large Japanese bowl, and any recipe with the donburi in its name is some kind of rice bowl.

I LOVE donburi recipes because they’re so easy to make and don’t use a lot of dishes. Plus, these rice bowls are great ways to pack a bunch of nutrition into one dish, perfect for athletes and active lifestyles.

Japanese food has a reputation for being elegant and fancy, with small dishes as a cornerstone of its cuisine. While that certainly is a part of Japanese cuisine, you’re missing out if you don’t enjoy some heaping rice bowls and steaming curry plates!

When I was in Japan, I saw donburi dishes everywhere, from food courts to university cafeterias. The ingredients ranged from fresh, raw fish to crispy and succulent karaage (Japanese fried chicken) with kewpie mayo.

My Inspiration for this Recipe

When I was developing this soy butter steak donburi recipe, I wanted to create a dish that combined my favorite elements of a steak dinner in the form of a rice bowl, with a Japanese flair added in. Enter this soy butter steak donburi: seared sirloin steak, crispy pan-roasted broccoli, garlic fried rice, and a luscious soy sauce and butter sauce.

This recipe isn’t a traditional Japanese dish, but more my take on mixing ingredients from my home with cooking styles and ingredients from Japan.

Donburi dishes usually use plain, steamed white rice as a base. The fluffy rice pairs well with just about anything.

But…For this recipe, I wanted to take each component to the next level, so I used garlic-fried rice instead!

Garlic-fried rice is made without soy sauce, so the garlic flavor can truly stand out. It’s a staple in Filipino cuisine, but it’s perfect for this soy butter steak donburi because it adds an aromatic element but still allows the steak to shine.

Of course, I also loaded this dish with some nutritious heavy hitters! Broccoli is one of the most nutritious vegetables. It has more vitamin C than an orange, tons of vitamin K and A, and fiber to maintain a healthy gut.

Sirloin steak has over 20 grams of protein per serving, and is a great source of vitamin B12, iron, and zinc. These ingredients just have the added bonus of being some of the most flavorful and texturally pleasing foods!

Ingredients for Soy Butter Steak Donburi

Sirloin Steak – Sirloin steak is a lean but flavorful cut, and one of the most tender options on the market. It’s perfect for a quick pan sear with plenty of pink! I use one 8-ounce steak for two bowls.

Broccoli – Broccoli’s heartiness pairs very well with steak, and the green provides a color contrast to the muted color of the steak and the rice.

Scallions – I pan-grill scallions with the broccoli to soften them and mellow their flavor.

Soy Sauce – Use a Japanese soy sauce for the base of the soy butter sauce. Kikkoman is a great brand available in most supermarkets.

Mirin – Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine that gives the sauce a glossy quality. It’s used in most Japanese dishes, so I usually order a large bottle online.

Sugar – Plain sugar adds just a little bit of extra sweetness and thickens the sauce.

Butter – Cold, unsalted butter added right at the end of cooking gives the sauce a creamy richness that is so satisfying.

Rice – I use calrose rice (Kokuho, Botan, Nishiki) for all my Japanese dishes, because it’s more accessible than Japanese rice. Day-old rice is perfect for making the garlic fried rice as a base.

Garlic – There’s really only one secret to garlic fried rice: garlic. I use one clove to one cup of cooked rice ratio.

Ingredients

Steak and Broccoli

• 450 grams of sirloin steak (2 8-ounce steaks)
• 400 grams (about 4 cups) of broccoli, separated into individual heads
• 50 grams (about 1/4 c.) of sliced scallion whites
• Salt

Sauce

• 40 grams (2 tbsp. + 2 tsp.) of soy sauce
• 20 grams (1 tbsp. + 1 tsp.) of mirin
• 20 grams (1 1/2. tbsp.) of unsalted butter
• 10 grams (2 tsp.) of sugar

Garlic Fried Rice

• 4 cups of steamed, day-old white rice
• 20 grams (4 cloves) of garlic, minced
• 15 grams (1 tbsp.) of oil

Garnishes

• Toasted sesame seeds
• Thinly sliced scallion greens
• Freshly cracked black pepper

Directions

Prep

1. At least one hour (and up to several days) before cooking, salt both sides of each steak evenly. Set the steak out on the counter for 1 hour before cooking to prevent excess heat loss when you put it in the pan.

2. Prep the sauce ingredients. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Set aside until ready to use.

Steak and Broccoli

1. Heat a 10-inch frying pan over high heat for at least 3 minutes. It should be blazing hot before adding the steak.

2. Right before adding a steak, spritz the pan with a light layer of oil, then immediately add one steak to the pan.

3. Cook on high for 2 minutes, flipping every 30 seconds. Then remove the steak from the pan, wrap it in aluminum foil, and repeat with the remaining steak.

4. While the steaks are resting, cook the broccoli. Add 1/2 tbsp. of oil, half of the broccoli to the pan then lower the heat to medium-high.

5. Add a few drops of water to the pan and cover with a lid to soften the broccoli, about 2-3 minutes.

6. After 2-3 minutes, remove the lid and add the scallions to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the broccoli and scallions are lightly charred. Remove from the pan and repeat with the remaining broccoli and scallions.

Garlic Fried Rice

1. While the broccoli is cooking, heat a wok over high heat to cook the rice.

2. Once hot, drizzle in 1 tbsp. of oil, then add the rice, then the garlic. Stir fry or 3-5 minutes, then remove it from the heat.

Sauce and Assembly

1. Lastly, add the mixed sauce ingredients to the pan and turn the heat to medium low. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

2. Turn off the heat, then whisk in cold butter into the sauce.

3. After at least 10 minutes of resting in aluminum foil, cut the steaks into thin strips against the grain.

4. Place 1 cup of garlic fried rice in a bowl, top with a layer of broccoli and scallions, the sliced steak, and drizzle over the finished soy butter sauce. Garnish with scallion greens and toasted sesame seeds, then serve immediately!

Soy Butter Steak Donburi FAQs

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