Sate Sapi (Indonesian Beef Satay)
Sweet-salty marinated beef skewers grilled until sticky, served with peanut sauce and a fiery sambal.
Made with Satay sauce and Sambal oelek (chilli sambal). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min + marinating
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.21 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Soak 12 wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes.
30 min - 2
Mix the tamari, sugar, garlic, lime juice and oil in a bowl. Add the beef, turn to coat and marinate in the fridge for 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
60 min - 3
Thread the beef onto the skewers, about 4 cubes each.
- 4
Heat a griddle pan or barbecue until very hot. Grill the skewers for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until charred outside and still slightly pink in the middle, or longer if you like it well done.
5 min - 5
Warm your ready made satay sauce (see the base recipe) with a splash of water until steaming hot. Serve the skewers with the sauce, red onion, lime wedges and the sambal from your base recipe on the side.
Tips
- Sirloin or rump stays tender when grilled fast. Do not use stewing cuts.
- Keep the beef pieces similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Sambal is hot, so serve it on the side and let each person add their own.
Storing and freezing
Keep cooked skewers for 2 days in the fridge, cooled within 1 to 2 hours, and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
How do I get beef satay tender?
Use a quick cooking cut like sirloin or rump, marinate for at least an hour and grill over high heat for only a few minutes. Overcooking makes it tough.
What is the difference between Indonesian and Thai satay?
Indonesian satay is often sweeter and uses kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) in the marinade, while Thai versions use turmeric and coconut milk. Both are served with peanut sauce.
Is this gluten free?
Yes, as long as you use gluten free tamari and gluten free satay sauce. It contains peanuts, so it is not suitable for nut allergies.
More made with satay sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.