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Make genuine Korean BBQ at residence with this straightforward bulgogi recipe! Thinly sliced beef is marinated in a flavorful, barely candy and savory sauce, then shortly stir-fried. Serve with rice, lettuce wraps, kimchi, pickled greens, inexperienced onions, and sesame seeds.
 What’s Bulgogi Beef?
Bulgogi (ë¶ˆê³ ê¸°) is a basic Korean dish manufactured from thinly sliced meat (beef, pork, or hen) marinated in a sweet-savory sauce, then stir-fried or grilled. The marinade sometimes consists of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and crushed pear for tenderizing. Historically made with sirloin, ribeye, or brisket, bulgogi is juicy, flavorful, and cooks shortly. It’s normally served with rice, lettuce wraps (or perilla leaves), kimchi, and spicy gochujang. Different fashionable accompaniments are pickled greens, Japchae (Glass Noodles) and fried egg.
Restaurant-quality recipe
Lengthy earlier than my meals running a blog days, I spent two years working for a serious Korean auto firm—the place I acquired simply as a lot of an training in Korean meals as I did in enterprise. Then, about 10 years in the past, my household moved to Queens, NYC, the place, imagine it or not, you’ll discover a few of the greatest Korean BBQ eating places run by first-generation Korean cooks. Quick ahead a decade, numerous plates of bulgogi later, and I’m lastly sharing this well-tested, battle-hardened recipe. You’re welcome!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Beef: I used boneless ribeye. Different beef choices embrace sirloin, filet, or NY strip steak.Â
- Pear: If Asian pears will not be straightforward to search out, substitute it with Bosc pear or any candy apple of selection!
- Yellow onion: Shallots or pink onions could be substituted for the common yellow onion.Â
- Brown sugar: You may as well use white granulated sugar.Â
- Soy sauce: Use a daily or low-sodium. If you happen to’re gluten-free, be certain to make use of GF soy sauce. Tamari or coconut aminos are different gluten-free alternate options.
- Is Gochujang gluten-free? Not at all times! Conventional gochujang is made with fermented soybeans and wheat or barley, so many manufacturers will not be gluten-free. Nevertheless, there are gluten-free variations accessible—simply test the label or search for ones particularly marked GF. You may as well use sriracha if you do not have Gochujang.
- Sesame seed oil: Slightly toasted walnut or peanut oil can work in a pinch.
- Use impartial cooking oils to fry beef like vegetable, canola, avocado, sunflower, peanut, or safflower—excellent for high-heat cooking with out overpowering flavors. Skip robust oils like olive or coconut.
- Recent Garlic & Ginger: Powdered variations can work, however contemporary is at all times greatest!
Variations
Bulgogi beef is tremendous versatile, so be at liberty to unleash your interior kitchen wizard and have enjoyable with these scrumptious variations:
- Vegan/Vegetarian Bulgogi: Substitute beef with tofu, tempeh, or plant-based meat alternate options. Simply press tofu to take away extra moisture for higher texture.
- Spicy Bulgogi: Add warmth by incorporating Sriracha, Gochujang, or your favourite Asian sizzling sauce into the marinade or drizzle over the cooked beef.
- Rooster Bulgogi: Swap the meat for boneless hen (ideally thighs for juiciness) and marinate it the identical approach.
- Pork Bulgogi: Use thinly sliced pork (like shoulder or stomach) as an alternative of beef.
- Bulgogi Tacos: Serve bulgogi beef in gentle corn or flour tortillas with contemporary toppings like kimchi, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime to create a enjoyable, Asian fusion-style meal.
- Beef and Veggie Bulgogi: Add sliced greens like bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and zucchini to the marinade and stir-fry together with the meat for a colourful, veggie-packed dish.
What’s a standard approach to tenderize meat for Korean bulgogi?
The standard technique for tenderizing meat in Korean bulgogi includes marinating it with Asian pear (or Korean pear). The pear accommodates pure enzymes, like calpain and bromelain, which assist break down the meat’s fibers, making it additional tender and juicy. Different widespread tenderizing components embrace:
- Grated onion – Provides sweetness and helps soften the meat.
- Soy sauce – Enhances umami whereas barely tenderizing.
- Brown sugar or honey – Helps caramelize the meat when cooked.
For greatest outcomes and most tenderness, thinly slice the meat and let it marinate for at the least a number of hours or in a single day!
Ideas for the Greatest Korean Bulgogi
- Beef: I normally purchase thinly sliced meat at any Asian or Hispanic retailer. Nevertheless, when you can’t discover thinly shaved ribeye you possibly can both lower it from frozen or barely frozen in opposition to the grain. In case your ribeye is thawed, place within the freezer for round 30-45 minutes or till it’s stiffened up a bit. Then, proceed to slice the meat thinly with a really sharp knife. Don’t fear about getting excellent slices.
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste): This can be a pretty straightforward to search out condiment. Most main grocery shops and all Asian grocery shops ought to carry it. There are totally different varieties and spice ranges, so be certain to decide on the one that you just desire.
- Are you able to substitute sugar with different sweeteners? You CAN substitute the sugar with honey, maple syrup, or agave, nonetheless, honey tends to overpower the flavour of all the things else and agave could make the sweetness a bit medicinal. Maple syrup wouldn’t be an important substitute because it can also overpower the opposite flavors. We suggest sticking with common sugars for this recipe.
Can I eat this sizzling or chilly?
We love consuming Bulgogi Beef straight from the pan or grill, when it is juicy and flavorful.
Greatest accompaniments for Bulgogi Beef
- Rice: Steamed white or brown rice to absorb the flavorful juices of the Korean BBQ sauce.
- Lettuce Wraps (Ssam): Wrap bulgogi in lettuce leaves with garlic, sliced chili, and ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce).
- Kimchi: A tangy, spicy distinction to the sweet-savory beef.
- Pickled Greens: Corresponding to pickled radish or cucumber for a refreshing crunch.
- Japchae (Glass Noodles): A chewy, barely candy noodle dish properly with so many Korean meals.
- Fried Egg: Provides richness when served on prime of rice.
Storage Directions
- Refrigerate the leftover beef in an hermetic container for as much as 5 days.
- To reheat, merely microwave for 30 seconds to a minute or frivolously reheat in a sizzling pan.
- To freeze, place in a ziploc bag and squeeze all of the air out. It would last as long as 1 month.
- To defrost, place the bag within the fridge in a single day and comply with reheating directions above.
Beef Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef)
Make genuine Korean BBQ at residence with this straightforward bulgogi recipe! Thinly sliced beef is marinated in a flavorful, barely candy and savory sauce, then shortly stir-fried. Serve with rice, lettuce wraps, kimchi, pickled greens, inexperienced onions, and sesame seeds.
Components
Marinade
- 1 giant Asian pear (or Bosc pear) peeled, cored and chopped into cubes
- 4 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- 1 inch contemporary ginger peeled and roughly chopped
- â…“ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sesame seed oil
- 1 tablespoon gochujang
Beef
- 1 ½ kilos ribeye steak boneless, very thinly sliced or shaved *see tip
- 1 small yellow onion sliced skinny
- 1 tablespoon impartial cooking oil divided
- salt and pepper
DirectionsÂ
Marinade
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Mix the Asian pear, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame seed oil, and gochujang in a meals processor or a blender till a paste types.
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Salt and pepper the meat and place in a gallon ziploc bag with the yellow onion. Don’t put within the impartial oil at this level as it will likely be used for cooking.
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Pour the marinade into the ziploc bag with the meat, ensuring to coat all of the items, and marinate in a single day.
Prepare dinner the meat
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Take away the meat from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for 1 hour.
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Warmth a big skillet over excessive warmth till smoking then pour in 1 teaspoon of impartial oil. Utilizing tongs, take away the meat from the bag and place into the pan with out crowding it. It’s possible you’ll have to prepare dinner the meat in batches.
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Go away the meat with out disturbing it for 30 seconds to 1 minute to char the meat. Flip the meat and char as greatest you possibly can on the opposite aspect. The meat ought to prepare dinner in a short time so attempt to not depart it within the pan too lengthy. You’re welcome to even depart some pink when you like your steak medium or medium uncommon, however at the least get some char on it.
Serve
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Serve instantly and garnish with inexperienced onion and sesame seeds. I like to recommend serving the meat over bowls of sizzling rice and accompanied with kimchi or any of your favorite Korean sides. If utilizing the lettuce, place a spoonful of the rice, beef, and kimchi in a leaf and revel in!
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Notice: I offered useful step-by-step images beneath this recipe card.
Notes
- Chopping board
- Knife
- Gallon plastic bag
- Blender
- Massive pan tongs
Ideas for selecting the most effective components:
- Beef: I used boneless ribeye. Different beef choices embrace sirloin, filet, or NY strip steak. Search for thinly sliced ribeye at Asian or Hispanic shops. If you happen to can’t discover it, freeze your ribeye for 30-45 minutes till agency, then slice thinly in opposition to the grain with a pointy knife.Â
- Pear: I used an Asian pear. You possibly can substitute it with Bosc pear or any candy apple.
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste): Simple to search out at main grocery shops or Asian markets. Decide the spice stage that fits you greatest!
- Sweeteners: I used brown sugar, your subsequent best option is granulated white sugar. You possibly can swap sugar with honey, maple syrup, or agave, however these will not be ideally suited substitutions. Honey may overpower the flavour, and agave can style medicinal. Persist with common sugars for the most effective outcomes.
- Yellow onion: Shallots or pink onions could be substituted for the common yellow onion. Â
Storage and reheating ideas:
Retailer the leftover Bulgogi beef in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. To reheat, microwave for 30 seconds to a minute or heat in a sizzling pan. For freezing, place in a ziploc bag, take away air, and freeze for as much as 1 month. To defrost, refrigerate in a single day and reheat as instructed.
Tasty variations:
- Vegan/Vegetarian: Exchange the meat with any vegan or vegetarian protein of selection. You should utilize additional agency tofu or plant-based meats.Â
- Rooster or pork: You possibly can simply make this dish with hen or pork as properly!
- Tacos: You can also make the meat and serve them as tacos when you’d like! High together with your favourite components and revel in!
Vitamin
Vitamin Info
Beef Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef)
Quantity per Serving
% Every day Worth*
* P.c Every day Values are based mostly on a 2000 calorie weight loss program.
Vitamin Disclaimer:
The dietary info on this web site is just an estimate and is offered for comfort and as a courtesy solely. The accuracy of the dietary info for any recipe on this web site isn't assured. It shouldn't be used as an alternative to an expert nutritionist’s recommendation.
How one can Make Bulgogi Beef (step-by-step images)
Make marinade by mixing Asian pear, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and gochujang right into a paste.
Season the thinly sliced beef with salt and pepper, then place it in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag with sliced onion.
Pour within the marinade, guaranteeing the meat is properly coated, and refrigerate in a single day.
Let the meat sit at room temperature for an hour. Warmth a skillet over excessive warmth till smoking, then add 1 teaspoon of impartial oil. Sear the meat in batches for 30–60 seconds per aspect till charred. Prepare dinner to your most well-liked doneness—medium or medium-rare is ok!
Garnish with inexperienced onions and sesame seeds. Serve over sizzling rice with kimchi or your favourite Korean sides.
