Korean Bulgogi Beef is a classic Korean dish featuring thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet, savory, and slightly smoky sauce, then quickly grilled or stir-fried. 🇰🇷🥩✨
It’s juicy, flavorful, and perfect for wrapping in lettuce or serving over rice!
🕒 Time: 30 minutes (plus marination)
🍽 Serves: 4
🌟 Ingredients:
For the Beef:
- 500g ribeye, sirloin, or flank steak (very thinly sliced)
For the Marinade:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (or honey)
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (optional, for a little tang)
- 1 Asian pear or apple (grated) — this tenderizes the meat!
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 thumb-sized piece ginger (grated)
- 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste) — optional, for a spicy kick
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 green onions (sliced)
🔪 Instructions:
- Prepare the Beef:
- Freeze the steak for about 30 minutes first — it makes slicing super thin much easier.
- Slice the beef against the grain into very thin strips.
- Make the Marinade:
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, grated pear or apple, garlic, ginger, gochujang, sesame seeds, black pepper, and green onions.
- Marinate:
- Toss the sliced beef in the marinade.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor).
- Cook:
- Heat a grill pan, skillet, or regular pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook the beef in batches for about 1–2 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
- Serve:
Garnish with extra sesame seeds and green onions!
🍽️ Great with:
- Steamed white rice 🍚
- Korean lettuce wraps (ssam) with ssamjang sauce 🥬
- Kimchi on the side 🌶️
- Quick cucumber salad 🥒
💡 Tips:
- Don’t overcrowd the pan — high heat and small batches keep the beef caramelized, not steamed. 🔥
- Swap beef with chicken or mushrooms for fun variations! 🍄🍗
- Add shredded carrots, sliced onions, or bell peppers into the pan for extra color and flavor.
Korean Bulgogi Beef = juicy, sweet-savory, and unbelievably addictive. 🇰🇷❤️🥩
Would you also like a Bulgogi Beef Bowl idea — complete with rice, pickled veggies, and a fried egg on top? 🍳🥢
