Description
Bulgogi is a classic Korean dish made of thinly sliced beef marinated in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and sugar, then grilled or stir-fried to perfection. This sweet and savory dish is tender, juicy, and packed with umami. It’s perfect served over rice, in lettuce wraps, or as part of a Korean BBQ spread.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb ribeye or sirloin, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 small carrot, julienned (optional)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds, for garnish
- For the Marinade
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp rice vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1/2 small Asian pear or apple, grated (for tenderizing)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Place thinly sliced beef in a large bowl or zip-top bag.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients until sugar is dissolved.
- Pour marinade over beef and mix well. Add sliced onion and carrot if using. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
- Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook marinated beef in batches until browned and cooked through, about 2–3 minutes per side.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
- Serve with steamed rice, kimchi, or lettuce leaves for wrapping.
Notes
- Freezing the beef for 30 minutes before slicing helps achieve thin slices. Asian pear adds natural sweetness and tenderizes the meat but can be substituted with apple.
Nutrition
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
