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Korean BBQ Beef (Bulgogi) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 110 reviews

This Korean BBQ Beef Bulgogi recipe features thinly sliced rib-eye or top sirloin marinated in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, honey, gochujang, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. It is quickly cooked in a hot skillet until tender and caramelized, making it perfect for serving with rice, lettuce wraps, and classic Korean sides like kimchi and ssamjang. This dish offers a delicious, authentic taste of Korean cuisine that is both sweet and savory with a hint of spice.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade

  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ½ large white or yellow onion, grated on a large-hole grater
  • 3 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon mirin (sweet rice wine)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper

Beef

  • 1 pound boneless rib-eye or top sirloin, sliced thinly (⅛–¼-inch thick slices)
  • Vegetable oil, for cooking

To Serve (Optional)

  • Cooked rice
  • Bibb lettuce leaves
  • Kimchi
  • Chopped scallions
  • Sesame seeds
  • Ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, combine the low-sodium soy sauce, grated onion, honey or brown sugar, gochujang, minced garlic, grated ginger, mirin, toasted sesame oil, and cracked black pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended.
  2. Marinate the beef: Add the thinly sliced rib-eye or top sirloin to the marinade and toss to coat all the pieces evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to permeate the meat, up to 2 hours for more depth.
  3. Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of vegetable oil to prevent sticking and to help achieve a good sear.
  4. Cook the beef: Once the pan is hot, add the marinated beef in a single layer without overcrowding the pan. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until the beef is browned and caramelized but still tender. Work in batches if necessary.
  5. Serve: Remove the cooked beef from the skillet and serve immediately with steamed rice and optional sides like bibb lettuce for wraps, kimchi, sesame seeds, scallions, and ssamjang to enhance the Korean BBQ experience.

Notes

  • Use thinly sliced beef for quicker cooking and better texture. Freeze the beef slightly to make slicing easier.
  • Adjust the sweetness by varying honey or brown sugar to your taste.
  • If gochujang is unavailable, substitute with a mix of chili paste and a little miso paste for similar depth.
  • Marinate longer for more intense flavor but avoid marinating over 6 hours to prevent meat texture degradation.
  • Serve with fresh vegetables or leafy greens for a balanced meal.

Keywords: Korean BBQ, Bulgogi, Korean beef, marinated beef, Korean cuisine, quick dinner, stir-fry beef

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/korean-bbq-beef-bulgogi-recipe/