Bulgogi Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published June 9, 2022. Updated June 14, 2022

Korean Beef Bulgogi – it’s made with tender pieces of steak that have been soaked in a flavorful bulgogi marinade sauce, and it’s quickly pan seared in a cast iron skillet in batches until perfectly browned.

What is Beef Bulgogi?

Bulgogi, which translates to “fire meat,” is a popular Korean barbecue dish made with beef such as top sirlioin, ribeye, or tenderloin. The beef is thinly sliced into bite size pieces then it’s marinated in a simple, savory and sweet bulgogi sauce. After that it is either cooked on a charcoal or gas grill, pan seared on a griddle or stir fried in a skillet until the exterior is just browned and caramelized.

Bulgogi is pronounced in English buul-GOH-ghee when pronounced in Korean however there’s more of a “p” sound in place of the “b.”

It’s an incredibly easy dish to make that really wows in flavor and it’s something people of all ages can agree on, making it perfect for a fast weeknight family meal or for entertaining friends on the weekend!

Bulgogi Recipe Ingredients

• 1 1/4 lbs top sirloin steak (well marbled with fat throughout)
• 1/3 cup grated pear
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions light portion only, reserve sliced greens for serving
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 2 tsp minced fresh ginger
• 3 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp rice wine or mirin
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 tsp vegetable oil
• Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

Possible Substitutes

• Tenderloin, ribeye, or skirt steakwill work well here in place of top sirloin.
• A sweet apple can be used in place of a grated pear. Use something like gala or fuji.
• Yellow onion (finely chopped) will work in place of green onion if that’s what you have, just omit the garnish.
• Brown sugar or even honey will work in place of white sugar.
• Make it spicier by adding 1 tsp red pepper flakes to the marinade.

How to Make Bulgogi

1. Freeze steakfor 1 to 2 hours for easier slicing. Slice the steak into long strips (if steak isn’t already narrow) about 1 to 1 1/2-inches wide. Then thinly slice beef against the grain about 1/8-inch thick, cut slices into 2-inch pieces.
2. Make bulgogi sauce: In a mixing bowl whisk together pear, green onion light portion (1/3 cup), garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, sugar, and black pepper.
3. Marinade beef: Toss beef with marinade mixture. Cover bowl then transfer to fridge and let steak marinade for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
4. Preheat a skillet: Heat a cast iron skillet over moderately high heat. Once skillet is just smoking add 2 tsp vegetable oil then carefully tilt pan (using hot pads) to coat bottom surface with oil.
5. Quickly sear half of the steak at a time: Quickly add half of the steak and spread out even (be sure pieces aren’t overlapping or they won’t cook). Let sear until browned on bottom about 30 to 60 seconds. Quickly flip pieces and sear on opposite side until browned about 30 to 60 seconds longer.
6. Transfer beef to a plate. Using a few paper towels that have been balled up and lightly dampened with water wipe skillet clean. Return to moderately high heat and let heat again.
7. Add remaining 2 tsp vegetable oil and remaining half of beef and repeat cooking process.
8. Garnish bulgogi and serve: Serve bulgogi right away garnished with a few tablespoons of sliced green onion greens and toasted sesame seeds to taste.

What to Serve with Bulgogi

• Steamed white rice or brown rice
• Lettuce leaves
• Sautéed Asian vegetables – carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers, pea pods, cabbage or bok choy
• Fresh vegetables – such as carrots or cucumbers cut into matchsticks
• Kimchi
• Fried egg or steamed egg
• Gochujang hot sauce

Tips for the Best Beef Bulgogi

• Use a good quality cut off beef. Tender steak works best here, one with plenty of fat marbling.
• Don’t skip marinating time (be sure to plan ahead). It needs at least 1 hour to soak up some flavor. You can marinade up to 1 day in advance.
• Stick with fresh garlic and ginger for best flavor. Don’t substitute dried powders.
• Preheat the pan. If you skip this step the steak will be far overcooked by the time it’s browned on the exterior.
• Pan sear the steak in batches and spread it out even, this creates a better environment for browning rather than it being over crowded and steaming.

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