3 International Flavors to Try with Beef
03.08.2022
Each new year brings new flavors to try. In 2026, expect global flavors to keep rising in popularity—especially flavors from unique ingredients that are tied to their home countries.
Read on for some unique global flavors that are worth trying out in your kitchen, plus delicious ideas for how to pair them with beef.
1. Mexico: Tajín Brings Citrus Notes with a Bit of Heat
Tajín is a versatile, bold spice that balances heat and sweetness. Made from dried chiles, dehydrated lime, and salt, Tajín embodies the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine and can be used on almost everything you can think of. Add it to something as simple as popcorn or a fruit salad—or use it in a marinade or spice rub to season chicken, fish, or beef!
Tajín’s delicious blend of flavors is quickly becoming a staple in many pantries. It’s a natural fit in recipes like fajitas, tacos, and Mexican-inspired dishes. We recommend sprinkling it onto Mexican beef and pineapple skewers for a robust, citrusy flavor (and quick-to-prepare dish!). Tajín pairs well with Black Angus New York strip steak, skirt steak, and ground beef.
2. Japan: Furikake is a Salty, Savory “Friend for Rice”
Offering “a lovely salty-sweet boost of flavor to many a meal,” furikake is one of the condiments food critics swear by. Furikake is a Japanese seasoning of seaweed, dried fish, sugar, salt, and sesame seeds, and sometimes may include citrus peels, wasabi, or chili pepper flakes.
While furikake’s Japanese origins make it a perfect accompaniment for Japanese-inspired recipes, furikake adds bold flavors to any cuisine. It makes a delicious addition to breakfast scrambles, salads, steamed fish, roasted vegetables, popcorn, tuna poke, and avocado toast.
Furikake is also, of course, an excellent topping for beef. Furikake packs a robust, memorable flavor, whether garnishing sirloin steak in a salad or sprinkled over Japanese beef kabobs.
3. Indonesia: Sambal is Fiery and Fascinating
Sambal is generally known as a spicy chili paste or sauce that includes ground chiles and other ingredients like garlic, shallots, lemongrass, tomatoes, and shrimp paste. While it’s used throughout Southeast Asia, it’s commonly thought to have originated in Indonesia.
Like American ketchup, sambal is often served with a meal to be used as a dipping sauce or topping for extra flavor and heat. Other types of sambal are used as cooking (or simmering) sauces. Try Indonesian beef skewers using sambal in the marinade, to add bold, spicy, and slightly tangy flavor to every bite of the tender, juicy steak.
Regardless of your method or recipe, sambal is an unforgettable sauce that will quickly become a staple in your cooking.
Around-the-World Flavors and Black Angus Beef
If you’re cooking at home for family, entertaining guests for a special occasion, or eating in for date night, take your dish to the next level with these international flavors. And when you use USDA Prime and Upper 2/3 Choice 1855 Black Angus Beef in your global dishes, the result will always be juicy and flavorful.
