Go Back
Marinated slices of beef bulgogi ready for cooking on a white plate

Proven way to grow 5 Star Beef Bulgogi

This recipe guides you through making an authentic and delicious Beef Bulgogi, a classic Korean dish known for its sweet and savory flavors. The beef is marinated to perfection and cooked quickly for a tender and flavorful meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp mirin
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, grated
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Beef
  • 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
For the Vegetables and Garnish
  • 1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 carrot, julienned
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
Optional (for serving)
  • cooked rice
  • lettuce leaves
  • kimchi
  • gochujang

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • large skillet or wok

Method
 

Marinating the Beef
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, mirin, minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper to create the marinade.
  2. Add the thinly sliced beef sirloin to the bowl, ensuring each piece is well coated; cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably for several hours or overnight.
Cooking the Bulgogi
  1. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, adding a tablespoon of cooking oil if needed.
  2. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked through, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding and ensure good searing.
  3. Once all the beef is cooked, set it aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add the sliced yellow onion and julienned carrot, sautéing for 3-5 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
  5. Return the cooked beef to the skillet with the vegetables and stir to combine, cooking for another minute to heat through.
Serving
  1. Garnish the bulgogi with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
  2. Serve immediately with cooked rice, lettuce leaves, kimchi, and gochujang on the side.

Notes

For even more tender beef, consider freezing the sirloin for about 30 minutes before slicing thinly. This makes it easier to get uniform, very thin slices. Adjust the sweetness and spice levels to your preference by modifying the amount of brown sugar or adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade.