What Is Bulgogi Beef
Bulgogi (literally fire meat!) is cooked on a hot grill, just long enough to give the steak a nice char. Korean beef bulgogi is not hard to make, but—like any recipe that’s all about the marinade—you’ve got to plan ahead. In a perfect world, you’d want to marinate the steak—rib-eye or sirloin steak are the best cuts to use for this bulgogi recipe—a day before cooking. The marinade recipe varies by maker, but commonly features soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, black pepper, and sugar. You’ll find the ingredients to make our favorite beef bulgogi marinade below.
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Ingredients You’ll Need To Make Beef Bulgogi Marinade
Soy sauce
Honey
Brown sugar
Red pepper flakes
Fresh garlic
Sesame oil
How to Make Beef Bulgogi
Prepare the beef. Cutting against the grain with a sharp knife, slice your steak into thin strips. Add it to a large bowl with some super-thin sweet onion slices.
Marinate. Whisk together the soy sauce, honey, sugar, red pepper, garlic and sesame oil and pour it all over the steak strips. Then place in the fridge overnight, or at least two hours.
Cook. Get a cast iron skillet ripping hot, and brush it with oil. Sear the steak strips until they have a nice char, about 1-2 minutes per side.
Serve! Garnished with sesame seeds and diced green onions.
How to Assemble the Best Beef Bulgogi Bowl:
Kimchi – Store-bought, or homemade
Avocado – Creamy avocado would be a delicious contrasting texture and flavor
Vegetables – Julienned carrots, radishes, purple cabbage, bell peppers—all would lend color and bright, crisp texture
Hot sauce – Sriracha or sambal oelek for an extra kick of spice
Shiitake mushrooms
Fried egg – A runny fried egg on top would definitely take this hearty bulgogi bowl over the top—and we are IN. TO. THAT.
How to Store Homemade Beef Bulgogi Leftovers + Tips
Beef bulgogi leftovers are good in the fridge for up to four days, and will last in the freezer for up to three months. Pull leftovers out of the freezer a day before you’re ready to eat, and let them thaw in the fridge.
You’ll definitely want to prepare a pot of perfectly steamed White Rice to serve with this.
Serve with lettuce leaves to wrap slices of beef for a crunchy, refreshing light bite.
In Korea, beef bulgogi is often served at celebrations and other social events, so invite a crew and cook up a meal to share!!
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