Description
Beef Bulgogi is a classic Korean dish featuring thinly sliced, tender beef marinated in a savory, sweet, and umami-rich blend of soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and fruit. Quickly cooked to caramelized perfection, this recipe offers authentic Korean flavors that are easy to prepare and perfect for a versatile meal served with rice, lettuce wraps, or as a filling in various dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 500g thinly sliced beef (ribeye or sirloin)
- 4 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated pear or apple
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1 tsp chili flakes or 1 tbsp gochujang
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Select high-quality ribeye or sirloin and slice the beef very thinly across the grain. If not pre-sliced, partially freeze the meat for about 30 minutes to make slicing easier and ensure tenderness.
- Mix the Marinade: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, minced garlic, grated pear or apple, sesame oil, chopped green onions, and black pepper. Stir well until the sugar dissolves and ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Marinate the Beef: Place the sliced beef into the marinade, coating every piece thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours, to allow flavors to penetrate and tenderize the meat.
- Cook the Bulgogi: Heat a large pan or grill over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef in a single layer, cooking in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 2–3 minutes on each side until the meat is cooked through and slightly caramelized. Remove from heat immediately to retain juiciness.
- Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the cooked beef to a serving dish. Garnish with fresh sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired, and serve with steamed rice, lettuce wraps, or your preferred sides.
Notes
- Use quality beef with marbling for the best texture and flavor.
- Slice the beef against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- Do not skip the grated pear or apple; it naturally tenderizes and adds subtle sweetness.
- Marinate the beef patiently; even 30 minutes helps, but longer is better.
- Cook in batches to avoid steaming and ensure caramelization.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 125g cooked beef with marinade)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 70mg