Everybody loves Korean Beef Bulgogi. Salty-sweet, garlicky flavor. An explosion of BIG Korean flavor that comes from a simple marinade and thin-cut beef! Make a super-fast, smoky-charred plate of seriously delicious Korean BBQ Beef!

this recipe

What is Korean Beef Bulgogi or KBBQ Beef?

Korean Beef Bulgogi or BBQ Beef is an incredibly delicious and popular Korean meat dish that’s flavored with soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and onion. I grew up loving and eating this iconic dish.  Korean Beef Bulgogi was often a staple at parties and for weeknight dinner.

Literally translated as “fire meat,” the flavor is dangerously addictive with a salty-sweet, garlicky flavor that’s also got smoky char from the barbecue.

Served with rice, lettuce wraps, and various side dishes — Korean Beef Bulgogi is a KBBQ classic. And simple to make! Simply mix the marinade in one bowl and marinate for 30 minutes.

For home cooks, bulgogi is especially appealing. Simply marinate meat with a few staple pantry ingredients. A fast cook time puts dinner on the table quick! Serve with rice and lettuce wraps — so easy!

Ingredients:

• Beef. Weeknight-friendly, thinly sliced rib eye takes very little time to marinate. Also, it cooks fast! Look for it in the refrigerated or the freezer section at the Asian market.  Defrost frozen rib eye before using. If you can’t find it, thinly sliced flank steak or brisket also work well.
• Onion. Use 1 large onion — 1/2 is pureed and added to the marinade. 1/2 is sliced and cooked in the pan.
• Korean Pear (optional). If you have it, pureed Korean pear adds subtle sweetness and wonderful texture. Can be subbed with Fuji apple, or a sweet, ripe pear (like Bartlett or Bosc).
• Soy Sauce. Deep, umami-rich, salty flavor and depth.
• Garlic. For that garlicky flavor. Don’t skimp on it!
• Green onions. Adds essential Korean flavor and more onion flavor.
• Sugar. Adds sweetness.
• Mirin. Sweet Korean/Japanese cooking wine.
• Sesame Oil. For nutty fragrance.

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, puree onion, garlic, ginger, and pear.  (Or, grate onion and mince garlic and ginger.)  
2. Combine marinade together in a bowl.
3. Add thinly sliced beef. 
4. Cook bulgogi. Different options are listed below.
5. Serve with rice, kimchi, lettuce wraps, and enjoy!

How do I cook Bulgogi?

There are several ways to cook Korean Bulgogi at home. Choose the option that’s easiest and most accessible for you:

• Non-stick skillet. The classic cooking pan used for Korean bulgogi. The non-stick coating will make sure the marinade doesn’t stick and burn.
• Wok. Similar to non-stick skillet but it adds a slightly smoky flavor.
• Cast iron skillet. For charred, smoky bits that mimic the Korean BBQ flavor.
• Sheet pan. Broil on high heat on a foil-lined sheet pan. Easy for cooking large portions. Double or triple the recipe and spread out in one even layer. You can also get those little crispy, charred bits with this method.
• KBBQ-style Grill pan. Fit a grill pan over a butane gas burner in the center of the table. If cooking several different kinds of meats, save it for last as the marinade easily burns.

Note: Korean Beef Bulgogi is not a dry meat dish. As you cook, the meat will release its juices. Save those juices and scrape into your serving platter. There’s nothing so good as bulgogi juice spooned on top of rice!

PRO Tips:

• Aim for smoky, charred flavor. Whatever cooking method you choose, try to achieve that smoky flavor by cooking until the meat caramelizes and changes color to a dark, glossy brown.
• Do not skimp on the aromatics! All that onion, green onion, garlic, and ginger is necessary to achieve that essential Korean flavor profile.

Other easy Korean recipes you may enjoy:

• Korean Steamed Egg (Gyeran Jjim)
• Seafood Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew)
• Gochujang Chicken
• Korean Purple Rice
• Gyeran Bap

Korean Beef Bulgogi (KBBQ Beef)

The Subversive Table | Lis Lam

Everybody loves Korean Beef Bulgogi. A simple marinade and thin-cut beef are all you need for a fast, smoky-charred plate of seriously delicious Korean BBQ Beef!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Marinating Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Korean

Servings 4

Calories 356 kcal

Equipment

• Non-stick Skillet

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb thinly sliced beef rib eye

In the food processor:

• 1/2 onion cut into chunks
• 1/2 Korean pear, peeled, cored, cut into chunks (optional, can be subbed with Bosc pear, bartlett pear, or fuji apple)
• 6 garlic cloves
• 1/2 inch ginger peeled and cut into chunks

In the prep bowl:

• 1/2 onion sliced thinly
• 2 green onions chopped (save some for garnish)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (not the low sodium kind)
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp Mirin or rice wine
• 1 Tbsp sesame seed oil
• 1 Tbsp sesame seeds

Instructions

 

• Puree onion-garlic-ginger-pear. In a food processor, combine 1/2 onion cut into chunks, pear chunks, garlic, and ginger. Whizz until pureed. You may have to scrape the bowl down several times during the process. (Or, grate with a box grater until juicy.) Scrape into a large bowl. 
• Combine marinade together. In a large bowl, add onion-garlic-ginger-pear puree. Add 1/2 onion (thinly sliced), green onions, soy sauce, sugar, Mirin or rice wine, sesame seed oil, and sesame seeds. Mix with a spoon until combined. 
• Add thinly sliced beef. Add beef and mix well until it's coated completely with the marinade. Rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. 

To cook Bulgogi:

• Non-stick skillet: heat over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp neutral oil and add the bulgogi in one layer. Spread around with chopsticks and leave undisturbed for that bbq char, about 2-3 minutes. When the edges look cooked and the juices begin to release, mix around with a cooking spoon until the meat is no longer pink and cooked through. Continue cooking until the sauce has reduced somewhat and the meat is dark brown and caramelized.
• Cast iron skillet: heat over medium high heat. When the cast iron is hot, add 1 Tbsp neutral oil and swirl around in the pan. The oil should be smoking. Add bulgogi in one layer. Leave the meat undisturbed, to get that bbq char on one side. When the bulgogi looks brown and crispy on the edges, mix around with a metal spatula and finish cooking. The meat will release a lot of juice. The cooking process should take 5-8 minutes total!
• Wok: heat over high heat. Add 1 Tbsp neutral oil and swirl around. Add the bulgogi in one layer. Spread around with chopsticks and leave undisturbed for that bbq char, about 2-3 minutes. When the edges look cooked and the juices begin to release, mix around with a cooking spoon or metal spatula until the meat is no longer pink and cooked through, tossing as you go. Continue cooking until the sauce has reduced somewhat and the meat is dark brown and caramelized.
• Sheet pan: Adjust the oven rack so the top rack is 5-6 inches from the heat source at the top. Turn the oven to broil function and let it preheat for 10 minutes. Line a sheet pan with foil for easy clean up. Spread out bulgogi in an even layer, making sure it's not too crowded. When the oven has fully preheated, broil until fully cooked with crispy edges, about 6-8 minutes.

To serve:

• Transfer bulgogi to a serving platter. Garnish with additional green onion and sesame seeds. Serve with lettuce wraps, rice, and kimchi for a complete meal. Ssam sauce is also a nice addition.

Nutrition

Serving: 0gCalories: 356kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 25gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 937mgPotassium: 448mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 84IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Beef, Bulgogi

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