Unveiling the Savory Delight of Korean Beef Bulgogi

{Jump to Recipe This site might contain affiliate links and ads to offer you recipes. Read my disclosure policy . This fantastic Korean Beef Bulgogi is simpler than you’d imagine and doesn’t require any fancy ingredients. It’s a fast dinner that results in the most tender, flavorful beef! Ideal for busy families, it’s ready in just 45 minutes with only 10 minutes of prep and cook time. We’ve got plenty of beef recipes on the blog that offer great dinner choices. Check out Thai Basil Beef, Slow Cooker Korean Beef, One Pot Beef Stroganoff, Garlic Herb Butter Tenderloin. Korean Beef Bulgogi If you’re keen to spice up your dinner routine with a recipe that’s easier than it seems, Korean Beef Bulgogi is the way to go! This Korean BBQ beef showcases strips of flank steak marinated to perfection in a sweet and savory sauce. Your whole family will be singing its praises! Don’t Worry! This recipe is Picky Eater Approved! When I set out to make this at home, I was expecting a long, complex recipe with lots of hard-to-find ingredients. After all, the flavors are intricate, and the beef is incredibly tender. But the good news is, this Korean beef bulgogi uses simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry! Bulgogi Marinade Ingredients It all begins with the marinade. Many recipes call for overnight marinating, but if you’re using beef, I find that 30 minutes is ample. (This is what makes this bulgogi recipe so quick and easy!) Minced Pear: A staple in Korean cuisine, pear acts as a great meat tenderizer and also imparts flavor and sweetness. Regular pears work fine, but for a more authentic version, try using Asian pears! They have a slightly crunchier texture, more akin to an apple. Minced Garlic: Adds tasty savory flavor to the beef. Grated Ginger: Keeps the bulgogi’s flavor light and fresh. Soy Sauce: Forms the base of the marinade. Opt for low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer less saltiness. Sesame Oil: Introduces a nutty savory note and keeps things juicy. Sriracha: Adds a hint of heat. You can also swap this out for a bit of gochujang (Korean chili paste). Lime Juice: The acidity helps tenderize the beef bulgogi even more! Brown Sugar: Balances out the flavors with a touch of sweetness. Seasonings: Onion powder and black pepper enhance the overall marinade flavor. Other Needed Ingredients: Flank Steak: Thinly sliced into strips of uniform size for even cooking. Vegetable Oil: For cooking the beef bulgogi. What’s the Best Beef Cut to Use? I prefer using flank steak, sliced into 1/2 to 1/4 inch-thick pieces. Ribeye steaks are also a good option, although they’re a bit pricier. Cooking Korean Beef Bulgogi You can grill this or cook it on the stove. The beef slices are very thin, so they cook up quickly. (I’m talking just a few minutes here!) Ensure your grill or skillet is super hot, and have everything ready to go. Prepare Marinade: Mix the minced pear, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, brown sugar, onion powder, and black pepper in a large bowl. Marinate in Fridge: Place the thin beef slices in the marinade bowl, cover, and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge. Cook in Skillet: Once the beef has marinated, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and some of the beef in a single layer on the hot skillet. Cook for about 1-2 minutes on each side. Set aside the cooked beef while you cook the remaining beef. Serve: Enjoy over rice, sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired, and dig in! Don’t Overcrowd Your Pan! When cooking your beef bulgogi, avoid overcrowding the pan. I prefer working in small batches! If you add too many beef slices at once, they’ll start steaming, and you won’t achieve that lovely caramelization and smoky flavor we’re aiming for. Tips and Variations A couple of extra tips to make this Korean beef bulgogi even more convenient and delicious: Marinating Time: For a richer flavor, you can marinate the meat in the fridge longer than 30 minutes, but for simplicity and speed, I stick to just half an hour. Serve With: Korean cuisine is all about the side dishes! Known as ‘banchan’ in Korean, these dishes complement the main course. I love serving Korean Beef Bulgogi over steamed rice, along with additional veggies for added color and flavor. Try chopped scallions, kimchi, bean sprouts, pickled rad