Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Feature

How to Grill Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef

By: Andrea Alden

Japanese A5 Wagyu is literally the best, most succulent, flavorful beef you can purchase. Provided by The Meatery, this cut of Kagoshima Wagyu Ribeye went beyond any expectations. Buttery, melt in your mouth, fragrant and flavorful. Words cannot describe the experience. Because the muscle fibers of wagyu beef are filled with striations of unsaturated fat (considered a beneficial fat), these well-marbled cuts are considered unfit for the barbecue. They could cause flareups that can leave a bitter taste on your meal. The question is, can you cook Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef on a grill? Yes, you can! Follow this recipe and learn for yourself how to grill Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef on the barbecue, because, for the price you are paying for this premium cut, you don’t want to just wing it. 

Japanese wagyu beef is very coveted and exclusive. The amount of marbling in the meat makes it look almost white instead of the ruby that you are used to in North American beef. Due to that marbling, a whole ribeye could feed up to four people when served with other food. And, trust me, you want that other food. Rich doesn’t begin to describe the immense flavor and succulence. So, pair the steak with a crisp and fresh salad that features a light vinaigrette, the acidity will cut the fat and enhance what you are enjoying. You can, and should, also pair your Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef with rice. The grains will help to balance the richness for even more enjoyment. As for beverages, sake and Sapporo, or a crisp red cabernet would be ideal. 

Prep Time
40 min
Cook Time
25 min
Yield
2 to 4
Difficulty
Easy

How to Grill Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef

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Ingredients

Method

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Ingredients
Method
  1. When purchasing Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef, it will be frozen. To thaw it, you want a slow and controlled temperature. Wagyu fat is delicate and will melt in your hands and at temperatures as low as 77°F (25°C). That mean’s that you will want to pull your wagyu out the day before and slowly thaw it in the fridge. 
  2. At least 40 minutes before you plan to start cooking, salt the beef to taste on all sides. 
  3. Preheat your barbecue to 300°F (149°C), preparing to use the indirect grilling method. Place a cast iron frying pan under the warming rack, over the unlit burners, to preheat as well.
  4. When ready, place the Japanese wagyu on the warming rack over the cast iron pan. Cook the steaks gently for about 20 minutes. 
  5. Test the steaks with an instant-read thermometer and pull them as soon as they reach around 120°F (49°C) and allow them to rest. This can take up to 45 minutes depending on the thickness of the steaks, however, because Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef is cut on the thin side, I would suggest checking every 5 minutes following the 15-minute mark. 
  6. Now you have two options. To sear the steak in the cast iron or to grill over direct heat. If the direct heat option has been selected, remember that Japanese A5 Wagyu is very fatty and can cause flareups. However, you can use a cast iron frying pan or direct grilling to finish your steak. Move the cast iron frying pan over the lit burners and turn them up. If you have a sear station, preheat that to high. If you do not have a sear station and wish to grill over direct heat just turn the burners that are already on to high and preheat the barbecue to 500°F (260°C).
  7. Sear the wagyu using direct heat, either in the cast iron pan or on the cooking grids, for about 1 minute per side or less, just until a crust or grill marks have formed. 
  8. Remove the steak from the heat and serve with rice or a light salad. 

Now that you know how to cook wagyu on the barbecue and what to serve wagyu with, will you be trying it? Visit the Meatery to purchase your own high-quality Beef and check out our grills for the perfect way to cook it. Have you already tried Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef? Share your experiences with wagyu including stories and photos on our social pages like Facebook and Tiktok, using the hashtags #NapoleonEats and #NapoleonGrills.

Happy Grilling!

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - The Meatery

Try The Meatery for all of your Wagyu needs!

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Season

Season with salt

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Grill

Grill gently using indirect heat 

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Sear1

Sear until grill marks form on a well-preheated Sizzle Zone or over burners on high

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Sear2

Alternatively, sear in a preheated cast iron skillet

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Serve1

Serve with a light salad and rice

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Serve2

The acid of the vinegar will contrast the unctuous fat in the beef for the ultimate Wagyu experience

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Serve3

Just look at that perfectly cooked delicacy

AndreaAlden
Andrea Alden

I used to be the Sultana of Sizzle, but you can call me Andrea. I have always been passionate about food. Even though I was majoring in Art and Graphic Design, I would frequently be found cooking for my friends and family.

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Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - The Meatery

Try The Meatery for all of your Wagyu needs!

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Season

Season with salt

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Grill

Grill gently using indirect heat 

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Sear1

Sear until grill marks form on a well-preheated Sizzle Zone or over burners on high

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Sear2

Alternatively, sear in a preheated cast iron skillet

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Serve1

Serve with a light salad and rice

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Serve2

The acid of the vinegar will contrast the unctuous fat in the beef for the ultimate Wagyu experience

Recipe Blog - Japanese A5 Wagyu - Serve3

Just look at that perfectly cooked delicacy