Korean Beef Bulgogi

Korean Beef Bulgogi is a tasty, easy-to-make dish made with thinly sliced beef sirloin marinated in a delicious sweet and savory garlic soy sauce made from scratch. The best part? It’s ready to eat in just 30 minutes.

Serve this homemade restaurant-quality bulgogi hot over rice with veggies and kimchi on the side. You will love this easy Korean BBQ beef for dinner any night of the week! It’s everything you want in a meal — maximum flavor with minimum effort!

Why You'll Love these Korean Beef Bulgogi

• Authentic Korean flavors. This tried-and-true Korean bulgogi recipe will give you a restaurant-quality meal every time! Thanks to the marinated Korean BBQ beef, the flavor is almost indistinguishable from your favorite local K-BBQ joint.
• Delicious and flavorful. This tender sliced beef is packed with flavor. The trick is in the marinade, which is made in the blender and imparts the beef with complex flavors in as little as 15 minutes.
• Ready in 30 minutes. Don’t let the long list of ingredients fool you: this recipe only takes 30 minutes to prepare and cook. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion or reserve several hours to make it — it’s easy enough for busy nights too!
• Serve with vegetables. This Korean Bulgogi is marinated or served with a variety of produce — from standard vegetables like garlic and carrots to some you may not get to enjoy every day like Asian pear (hidden in the marinade!) and fermented kimchi.

Ingredient Notes

To make this delicious Korean Beef Bulgogi, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• beef sirloin - you can pick up thinly sliced beef at any local Asian supermarket (it’s the same as hot pot meat). You can also use flank steak, rib eye, or brisket, as long as it’s thinly sliced.
• yellow onion - white onion will also work as a substitute.
• garlic - fresh garlic yields the best flavor, but you can also use 1 teaspoon of garlic paste or minced garlic for each clove called for in the recipe.
• ginger - likewise, you can use an equal amount of ginger paste in place of fresh ginger.
• Asian pear - if you can’t find Asian pear in your local grocery store, you can also try Fuji apples instead.
• dark soy sauce - light soy sauce will work as a substitute if you don’t have the dark version handy.
• rice vinegar - white wine vinegar is similar to rice vinegar. Use an equal amount as a substitute.
• brown sugar - if you’re low on brown sugar, you can use white sugar, honey, maple syrup, or molasses instead.
• sesame oil - try toasted sesame oil for a richer, nuttier flavor.
• ground black pepper
• vegetable oil - avocado oil or olive oil will also work if you have either of them on hand.
• sesame seeds - this is optional to garnish on top for serving.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, blender or food processor, mixing bowl, and a large skillet.

How to Make the Best Korean Beef Bulgogi

1. Make marinade. In a blender or food processor, add onion, garlic, ginger, pear, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and pepper. Mix on high for 1 minute until smooth.

1. Marinate the beef. In a large mixing bowl, place beef strips and pour in the blended marinade. Mix well to coat and let it marinate for at least 15-20 minutes.

3. Cook beef. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat until it is sizzling hot. Add the marinated beef (in batches) and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.

4. Serve. Serve the bulgogi beef with steamed rice, vegetables (carrots and cabbage), kimchi, and cilantro.

How to Serve

Serve Korean Beef Bulgogi the classic way with typical sides including:

• steamed rice - you can steam it the traditional way in a rice cooker or pot, or use microwavable steamed rice instead for convenience.
• carrots - if you’re out of carrots, parsnips or sweet potatoes can be used in their place.
• cabbage - you can use your favorite type of green cabbage or purple cabbage for this recipe.
• kimchi - homemade or store-bought kimchi are both great to pair with Korean bulgogi.
• fresh cilantro - you can also top with other fresh herbs like chives or green onions.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Store leftover beef bulgogi in the refrigerator for 4-5 days in an airtight container. Uncooked marinated bulgogi will also last up to 4 days in the refrigerator before cooking.

How to Reheat

Reheat leftovers on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through or in the microwave.

How to Freeze

Transfer bulgogi leftovers to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

More Beef Recipes

• Korean Beef Steak Rice Bowl
• Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
• Beef Noodle Stir Fry
• Carne Asada
• One Pot Coconut Curry Beef Stew
• Korean Beef Steak Tacos

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