Appetizers, Bourbon Smoked Sesame Seeds, Hot & Spicy Kentuckyaki

Spicy Kentuckyaki Beef Skewers

We love cooking steak skewers, they are a perfect grab-and-go treat for a party or a fun game night with the family. Beef skewers are perfect to serve over rice or they pair great with a crispy cabbage slaw. This would be an ideal meat for a fusion recipe if you were looking for a fun spin on the street taco.

Meat on a stick is an awesome idea; quick to cook, endless flavor options, easy to eat, and even better, easy cleanup.  In theory, this is the perfect meal for any day of the week. But many times beef skewers can turn out dry or nowhere near their full potential. Our method of marinating the meat, lightly grilling, then broiling is a surefire way of achieving consistent delicious juicy skewers every time.

In this recipe, we use our favorite “Kentucky-styled” teriyaki sauce, which means we add a bit of Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon for extra fun and flair! Our Hot and Spicy Kentuckyaki all-natural sauce is sweetened with Kentucky-grown Sorghum Syrup and flavored with fresh garlic and ginger.  We’ve added red pepper to give this sauce the perfect amount of heat.  The rich flavors of the ginger and garlic are even better after hours of marinating. The heat of the sauce will not overpower the meat but be more of an extra flare at the end of the bite. The marinating process is key to any steak skewer as it keeps the meat tender and moist. If you are not a huge fan of heat, we recommend replacing the marinade with a different version… but not skipping the process itself.

The Bourbon Smoked Sesame Seeds are a perfect addition of crunch and flavor. Bourbon Smoked Sesame Seeds are slow smoked by hand for four hours. The slow smoking process boasts a rich, earthy, and nutty flavor with delicate oak undertones that make Bourbon Smoked Sesame Seeds delicious and perfect for many different dishes, especially these skewers.

SPICY KENTUCKYAKI BEEF SKEWERS

Delicious beef skewers marinated in our Bourbon Barrel Foods award-winning Hot and Spicy Kentuckyaki sauce and topped with Bourbon Smoked Sesame Seeds. This recipe has the perfect teriyaki flavors, but with a twist of sweet and heat. * Total Time does not include marinating time*

  • 1/2 lbs Flat Iron Steak (thinly cut into 1” strips)
  • 1/2 cup Spicy Kentuckyaki Sauce
  • 1 scallion (thinly sliced)
  • 2 tsp Bourbon Smoked Sesame Seeds
  • bamboo skewers
  1. In a small baking dish, combine the beef and the Spicy Kentuckyaki Sauce. Toss well to combine, cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours and up to overnight. .

  2. Soak the bamboo skewers in water while the meat is marinating.

  3.  When ready to cook, preheat a grill, grill pan or set the broiler on high

  4. Thread a slice of beef on one skewer. Repeat until all the meat is skewered.

  5. To grill: grill over medium-high heat. Lay the skewers on the grill and grill for 2 minutes on each side. To broil: Lay skewers in an even layer on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet. Broil for 5 minutes.

  6. Arrange skewers on a platter and garnish with the scallions and smoked sesame seeds.

 

Shopping List

½ pound flat iron steak, thinly cut into 1” strips

½ cup Spicy Kentuckyaki Sauce

1 scallion

2 teaspoons Bourbon Smoked Sesame Seeds

bamboo skewers

Method

1. In a small baking dish, combine the beef and the Spicy Kentuckyaki Sauce. Toss well to combine, cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours and up to overnight. Soak the bamboo skewers in water while the meat is marinating.

2. When ready to cook, preheat a grill, grill pan or set the broiler on high. Thread a slice of beef on one skewer. Repeat until all the meat is skewered. To grill: Grill over medium-high heat. Lay the skewers on the grill and grill for 2 minutes on each side. To broil: Lay skewers in an even layer on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet. Broil for 5 minutes.

3. Arrange skewers on a platter and garnish with the scallions and smoked sesame seeds.

* These skewers would make a perfect accompaniment to our Thai Red Cabbage and Chickpea Salad.