Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef)
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Marinating time
4 hrs
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Total Time
4 hrs 20 mins
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Servings
4 to 6
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Calories
436 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Korean
Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef)
Description
This Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef) recipe starts with thin slices of rib eye or sirloin beef, ideal for quick, even cooking and tenderness. The marinade combines soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin (rice wine), fruit puree from apple or Asian pear, minced garlic, ginger, and black pepper to create a balanced savory and sweet profile with subtle acidity from the fruit.
The meat is marinated for at least 4 hours or overnight for deeper flavor absorption. Toasted sesame oil is added separately to preserve the marinade’s ability to penetrate the beef. Cooking is done quickly on a hot skillet or grill with neutral cooking oil, searing the beef and optional vegetables until caramelized and cooked through, which keeps the texture tender and juicy.
Bulgogi is a staple Korean main dish often served with side dishes like rice, kimchi, and lettuce wraps. Leftover cooked bulgogi stores well refrigerated for a few days while marinated uncooked beef keeps fresh up to 4 days or can be frozen. This recipe yields a richly flavored, versatile dish for home meals or gatherings.
Wearing gloves during mixing helps with handling marinade and meat. Adjust marinating time depending on your schedule for best results.
Ingredients
MAIN
- 800 g rib eye steak 1.76 pounds) or top sirloin (or any tender prime beef cut), thinly sliced, 2mm to 3mm (1/8 inch) thickness
- 1 onion (130 g / 4.6 ounces), optional, peeled & thinly sliced
- 2 talks green onion (55 g / 2 ounces), optional, thinly sliced
- 1/2 carrot (55 g / 2 ounces), optional, peeled & thinly sliced
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil toasted
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds toasted
- 1 Tbsp neutral cooking oil I used rice bran oil, generic cooking oil
BULGOGI MARINADE
- 6 Tbsp soy sauce (I use regular Kikkoman soy sauce)
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp rice wine (mirin)
- 1 red apple or asian pear (155 g / 5.5 ounces)
- 1/2 onion (80 g / 2.8 ounces)
- 1 Tbsp garlic minced
- 1 tsp ginger minced
- 1/8 tsp black pepper ground
Instructions
- Blend the marinade ingredients in a mixer or food processor until smooth. Set aside.
- Place the thinly sliced meat in a mixing bowl and pour the marinade over it. Mix them well together while gently massaging the meat with your hands. (Wearing a food prep glove is very handy here!)Add the sesame oil and mix it into the meat. (I prefer adding the sesame oil separately as opposed to mixing it in the marinade sauce. I read somewhere that the oil can prevent the other sauce getting absorbed effectively into the meat.)Cover the bowl with cling wrap (or move the marinated meat into a glass container with a lid) and marinate the meat for at least 4 hours in the fridge. (If you have more time, you can also marinate it overnight to deepen the flavour even more).
- Preheat a skillet / bbq grill on medium high heat until well heated. Add the cooking oil and spread it well. Add the meat (and optional vegetables) and cook it on medium high to high heat for 3 to 5 mins (until the meat and vegetables cook to your desired doneness). Toss in the sesame seeds and stir them quickly.
- Serve the bulgogi with steamed rice and other Korean side dishes. You can also use some lettuce leaves and perilla leaves to wrap the bulgogi. Don't forget to pair it with some Korean ssamjang (Korean bbq dipping sauce) and some kimchi (spicy kimchi or white kimchi) too!
Notes
- Marinate beef for at least 4 hours or overnight to enhance flavor penetration.
- Add toasted sesame oil separately to keep marinade absorption effective.
- Handle the marinade and meat with gloves to avoid sticky hands.
- Store cooked bulgogi in the refrigerator for a few days; marinated raw beef lasts 3 to 4 days refrigerated or can be frozen for several weeks.
- Use thin, even slices of tender beef cuts like rib eye or sirloin for best texture and cooking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4to 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 436 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 436kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 47g | 94% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 122mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 1633mg | 68% |
| Potassium | 864mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 1335IU | 27% |
| Vitamin C | 5.4mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 108mg | 11% |
| Iron | 4.4mg | 24% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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