Description
Sizzling Korean Beef Bulgogi brings bold flavors straight from Seoul’s street markets to your dinner table. Marinated tender beef slices promise a delicious journey through Korean culinary traditions you’ll savor with every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs beef (sirloin or ribeye)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
Marinade:
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 green onions
Garnish:
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the beef into thin, uniform strips against the grain, ensuring each piece is approximately 1/4-inch thick for optimal tenderness and quick cooking.
- Crush and mince garlic cloves finely, then grate fresh ginger to release its aromatic oils and enhance the marinade’s flavor profile.
- Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a large mixing bowl, creating a rich, glossy marinade with balanced sweet and savory notes.
- Submerge beef strips completely in the marinade, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally 2-4 hours to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Preheat a large skillet or griddle over high heat until smoking hot, which helps achieve a beautiful caramelized exterior on the meat.
- Remove beef from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off, and arrange in a single layer in the hot skillet to prevent steaming.
- Cook beef for 2-3 minutes per side, stirring occasionally, until edges become crispy and centers remain juicy with a slight pink center.
- Chop green onions into thin diagonal slices for a fresh, sharp garnish.
- Transfer cooked beef to a serving platter, sprinkle with sesame seeds and optional red pepper flakes for added texture and heat.
- Serve immediately with steamed rice or wrapped in lettuce leaves for an authentic Korean dining experience.
Notes
- Slice beef against the grain to guarantee maximum tenderness and create melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Use high-heat cooking technique to achieve perfect caramelization, developing rich brown edges that lock in delicious flavors.
- Marinate meat for longer periods (up to 4 hours) to intensify flavor absorption and create more succulent beef bulgogi.
- Opt for low-sodium soy sauce if watching salt intake, and substitute brown sugar with honey or coconut sugar for alternative dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (minimum, for marinating)
- Cook Time: 6 minutes (2-3 minutes per side)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg