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Close-up of numerous grilled Beef Satay skewers on a white plate, served with a bowl of peanut sauce, lime, and fresh herbs.
Maryam

Authentic Indonesian Beef Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Savor the rich flavors of Indonesia with this authentic Beef Satay. Tender strips of beef are marinated in a blend of aromatic spices, then grilled to perfection and served with a vibrant, homemade spicy peanut dipping sauce. A perfect appetizer or a delightful main course.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Indonesian, Southeast Asian
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Beef Satay
  • 1.5 lbs Beef Sirloin or Top Round thinly sliced against the grain into 1/4-inch thick strips, about 1-inch wide and 4-5 inches long
  • 20-24 Wooden or Metal Skewers if using wooden, soak in water for at least 30 minutes
For the Beef Marinade
  • 2 Shallots roughly chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic roughly chopped
  • 1 inch Fresh Ginger peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 stalk Lemongrass tender white part only, thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp Ground Turmeric
  • 1 tbsp Ground Coriander
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp Fish Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Lime Juice freshly squeezed
  • 1/4 cup Full-Fat Coconut Milk
  • 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil for brushing skewers
For the Spicy Peanut Sauce
  • 1 cup Roasted Peanuts unsalted
  • 1 Shallot roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic roughly chopped
  • 1-2 Red Bird's Eye Chilies or to taste, roughly chopped (deseed for less heat)
  • 1 tbsp Tamarind Paste seedless
  • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp Lime Juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tbsp Fish Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Full-Fat Coconut Milk
  • 1/4-1/2 cup Water or Chicken Broth as needed to thin sauce
  • 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil for sautéing
For Serving (Optional)
  • 1/2 Cucumber thinly sliced
  • 1/4 Red Onion thinly sliced
  • Fresh Cilantro chopped
  • 2 Lime Wedges

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Food Processor or Blender
  • Grill, Grill Pan, or Air Fryer
  • Wooden or Metal Skewers
  • Small saucepan

Method
 

Prepare the Beef Marinade
  1. In a food processor or blender, combine the shallots, garlic, ginger, and lemongrass from the marinade ingredients. Process until a fine paste forms. Add the ground turmeric, coriander, cumin, brown sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, and coconut milk. Blend until well combined and smooth.
  2. Place the thinly sliced beef in a large mixing bowl. Pour the marinade over the beef and toss well to ensure every piece is coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably 4 hours, and up to overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate.
Prepare the Spicy Peanut Sauce
  1. In the same food processor (no need to clean), combine the roasted peanuts, shallot, garlic, and red bird's eye chilies from the peanut sauce ingredients. Process until a coarse paste forms.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the peanut paste mixture and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
  3. Stir in the tamarind paste, brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, and coconut milk. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add water or chicken broth, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed (more sugar for sweetness, lime for tang, fish sauce for savory, chili for heat). Set aside.
Assemble and Cook the Beef Satay
  1. If using wooden skewers, ensure they have been soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated beef strips onto the skewers, weaving them back and forth so they lay flat and are packed fairly tightly.
  2. Preheat your grill (charcoal, gas, or grill pan) to medium-high heat. If using an air fryer, preheat to 375°F (190°C).
  3. Brush the assembled beef skewers lightly with vegetable oil to prevent sticking and promote browning.
  4. Grilling Method: Place the skewers on the preheated grill. Cook for 2-4 minutes per side, turning frequently, until the beef is nicely browned and cooked through. Be careful not to overcook, as the beef can dry out quickly.
  5. Air Fryer Method: Arrange skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if necessary). Air fry for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until browned and cooked to your desired doneness.
Serve
  1. Transfer the cooked beef satay skewers to a serving platter. Serve immediately with the spicy peanut sauce for dipping. Garnish with thinly sliced cucumber, red onion, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges, if desired.

Notes

For best results, slice the beef thinly and against the grain to ensure tenderness. The marinade time is crucial for flavor development. You can prepare the peanut sauce a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator; gently reheat and thin with a little water or broth if needed before serving. Adjust chili quantity in the peanut sauce to your preferred spice level.