5.0 from 168 votes
Bulgogi - Authentic Korean BBQ Beef Recipe
Bulgogi – Korean BBQ Beef (불고기) is probably one of the best known Korean dish and this authentic marinade recipe has been used in my family for over 25 years.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 249 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Korean
Ingredients
- 1 lb thinly sliced sirloin (top sirloin or any tender loin area)
Marinade
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp light brown sugar [white sugar ok]
- 1 Tbsp honey [ 2 t sugar is also ok ]
- 2 Tbsp rice cooking wine or red wine [mirin works too]
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 2 Tbsp pear, puree [ or 1 Tbs kiwi or 3 Tbs onion puree]
Instructions
- Make sauce by mixing all of the marinade ingredients together except for any optional vegetables such as onions or mushrooms.
- Mix in the bulgogi beef into the sauce prepared above – in a bowl big enough to hold the beef. Make sure the sauce is well mixed with the beef. You will need to use your hands here and just massage everything together.
- Heat up your favorite frying pan on high heat and just pan fry/stir fry the meat until it’s slightly brown on both sides.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Marinating - marinate minimum 30 min at room temp (not too hot) or in the fridge for several hours up to 24 hrs. Freeze if you need it later than 24 hrs.
- kiwi substitute - 2 Tbs pear puree can be substituted with 1 Tbs kiwi.
- Pan should be hot enough so that the meat sizzles as it touches the pan. Also, if you put too much meat into the pan and/or the heat is too low, you will end up with a lot of the meat juice leaking out of the bulgogi and you end up with Bulgogi stew.
- The most authentic and traditional way to cook Bulgogi ( Korean Beef BBQ ) is on top of a charcoal grill- you will either need a fine steel mesh or tin foil to cook the meat because otherwise it will fall through. Bulgogi is supposed to be well cooked and tastes great if it’s a little burnt…
- You can also broil it on the top rack of your oven (Broil temp) but remember to keep a very close watch so it does not burn!
- Optional veggie ingredients - traditionally, Koreans just make bulgogi with beef by itself but if you are cooking it in a frying pan, you can add some sliced onions, mushrooms (shitake, white, oyster), bell peppers and even sliced carrots and cook them together.
Nutrition Information
Calories
249kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
13g
(4%)
Protein
26g
(52%)
Fat
8g
(12%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
66mg
(22%)
Sodium
747mg
(31%)
Potassium
420mg
(12%)
Sugar
12g
(24%)
Vitamin A
15IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
1.8mg
(2%)
Calcium
42mg
(4%)
Iron
2.1mg
(12%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 249
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 249kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 66mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 747mg | 31% |
| Potassium | 420mg | 9% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 15IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1.8mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 42mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2.1mg | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.