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Delicious Korean beef bulgogi served with vegetables and rice.

Korean Beef Bulgogi

A forgiving and delicious version of the classic Korean dish, bulgogi, that features tender, marinated beef with a sweet and savory caramelized flavor.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Korean
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Beef and Marinade
  • 1.5 lbs ribeye or sirloin steak, thinly sliced against the grain Choose a good quality cut for best flavor.
  • 6 tbsp soy sauce Use a good quality soy sauce for best results.
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar Adjust sweetness to taste.
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil Adds a rich, nutty flavor.
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic enhances the flavor.
  • 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated Fresh ginger adds a warm note.
  • 1/2 pieces Asian pear or red apple, grated Provides sweetness and moisture.
  • 1 tbsp gochujang (optional) Add for spice.
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper For seasoning.
Vegetables
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced Adds sweetness when cooked.
  • 1 cup mushrooms (shiitake or white button), sliced Adds umami flavor.
  • 1 medium carrot, julienned For color and crunch.
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped green onions For garnish.
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds For garnish.
For Cooking
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil For cooking the beef.
  • 2 tbsp honey butter (1 tbsp melted butter + 1 tbsp honey) Enhances caramelization.
For Serving
  • Cooked rice for serving Pairs well with bulgogi.
  • Lettuce leaves or perilla leaves for wrapping For creating wraps with bulgogi.
  • Extra sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish Optional, for additional flavor and presentation.

Method
 

Marinating the Beef
  1. Combine the sliced beef, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, grated pear or apple, gochujang, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Cooking the Beef
  1. Heat a grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of the neutral oil.
  2. Add the marinated beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side until nicely caramelized.
  3. Just before the beef finishes cooking, drizzle with the honey butter and toss quickly to coat.
  4. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
Cooking the Vegetables
  1. In the same pan, add the sliced onions and mushrooms. Sauté for about one minute until they soften and soak up the flavors from the pan.
Serving
  1. Serve the bulgogi with cooked rice and vegetable wraps. Garnish with extra sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Notes

Avoid overcrowding the pan while cooking for the best caramelization. Adjust marinating time based on desired flavor intensity. This dish can be prepped ahead by marinating the meat and keeping the veggies separate until cooking.