Beef Bulgogi

This beef bulgogi is steak in a sweet and savory marinade that’s grilled or pan seared to perfection. A traditional Korean dish that’s perfect served over steamed rice or inside lettuce leaves.

When I’m in the mood for steak, I often prepare marinated flank steak, steak kabobs or this simple yet totally satisfying bulgogi dish.

Whenever I go to my local Korean restaurant, I have to order the beef bulgogi. I just can’t resist that smoky, tender meat! I’ve learned to make this dish at home, and I have to say, I think my version is even better than what you’d get at a restaurant.

What is bulgogi?

Bulgogi is a Korean dish made by cooking thin slices of marinated beef on a grill. The marinade highlights the savory flavors of soy sauce, sesame oil and garlic and the sweet flavors of brown sugar and Asian pear. Bulgogi is popular because of the sweet and savory flavor infused in every tender piece of beef.

The word “bulgogi” comes from a combination of words in a Korean dialect “bul” meaning fire and “gogi” meaning meat. This dish combines meat and heat to make a delicious entree.

How do you make beef bulgogi?

To make beef bulgogi, you will want to make the marinade first. Simply stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, grated Asian pear, garlic, ginger, gochujang sauce and black pepper in a bowl. The standout ingredients in this marinade are the Asian pear, which brings a fresh sweetness to the marinade, and the gochujang, which adds a complex and robust barbecue-like flavor. Marinate thin cut beef for at least one hour. Cook the beef on a grill or on the stove top, and serve it garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.

What cut of beef is bulgogi?

Bulgogi is all about tender meat, so you want to use a flavorful, tender cut of beef. Marbled, flavorful rib eye is the most popular cut of meat for bulgogi. You can also use other tender cuts such as sirloin or tenderloin. In a pinch, tri-tip or flank steak can also make a delicious bulgogi.

What is bulgogi sauce made of?

Bulgoi sauce is made of soy sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, Asian pear, garlic, ginger, gochujang sauce and black pepper. In addition to providing flavor, the Asian pear helps to tenderize the meat.

Tips for bulgogi

• Freezing the beef for 20-30 minutes will make it easier to slice thin, even pieces.
• An Asian pear is native to countries in Asia and is also known as a Korean pear, Chinese pear, or Japanese pear. Asian pears have a yellow color and may be speckled. They are crisp and watery. Most supermarkets carry these pears in limited quantities. To protect the delicate skin of Asian pears, supermarkets often sell them packed in Styrofoam or other protective materials. If you can’t find an Asian pear, you can use a crisp pear like a bosc or a seckel pear.
• Bulgogi can be served on its own, over rice, with a side of rice or in lettuce cups.
• If you can’t find any gochujang, you can use sriracha with an extra teaspoon of brown sugar for sweetness. Gochujang can typically be found in the ethnic foods aisle of most major grocery stores.

You’ll love this tender beef bulgogi as an easy way to bring the flavors of Korea to your home kitchen.

More recipes you’ll love

• Korean Beef Bowls
• Mongolian Beef Bowls
• Korean Fried Chicken
• Slow Cooker Korean Beef
• Korean BBQ Tacos

5 from 7 votes

Beef Bulgogi

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AuthorSara Welch

This beef bulgogi is steak in a sweet and savory marinade that's grilled or pan seared to perfection. A traditional Korean dish that's perfect served over steamed rice or inside lettuce leaves.

Time

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time20 minutes minutes

Marinating Time1 hour hour

Course Main

Cuisine Asian

Serves 6

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 pounds steak such as rib eye, sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
• ▢ 5 tablespoons soy sauce
• ▢ 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• ▢ 1 1/2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• ▢ 1/2 cup Asian pear peeled and finely grated
• ▢ 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• ▢ 2 teaspoons minced ginger
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Korean gochujang sauce
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
• ▢ 1/4 cup green onions sliced

Instructions 

• Place the soy sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, Asian pear, garlic, ginger, gochujang sauce and black pepper in a bowl. Stir to combine.
• Add the steak to the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 24 hours.
• Preheat a grill or indoor grill pan over medium high heat. Remove the meat from the marinade, scraping off any large chunks of garlic or pear.
• Place the meat in a single layer on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side.
• Alternatively, you can cook the meat in a skillet on the stove top for 2-3 minutes per side.
• Sprinkle the sesame seeds and green onions over the meat, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 321kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 717mg | Potassium: 449mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Vitamin C: 1.1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 3.1mg

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