Korean Beef Bulgogi Recipe Quick Easy

We have a lot of beef recipes on the blog that make for fantastic dinner options. Check out Thai Basil Beef, Slow Cooker Korean Beef, One Pot Beef Stroganoff, Garlic Herb Butter Tenderloin.

Korean Beef Bulgogi

If you are looking to switch things up for dinner with a recipe that’s easier than it sounds, this Korean Beef Bulgogi is the way to go! This Korean BBQ beef features strips of flank steak marinated to tender perfection in a sweet and savory sauce. Everyone in your family will be raving about it! When I wanted to make this at home, I expected a long, complicated recipe with tons of ingredients that are hard to find. Because well, the flavors are so complex and the beef is so insanely tender. But the good news is, this Korean beef bulgogi uses a lot of simple ingredients, most of which you’ll have in your pantry! This recipe is Picky Eater Approved!

Bulgogi Marinade Ingredients

It all starts with the marinade. A lot of recipes ask you to marinate overnight but if you are using beef, 30 minutes is enough in my opinion. (This is what makes this bulgogi recipe so quick and easy!)

Minced Pear: A staple in Korean cooking, pear is a great meat tenderizer and also adds flavor and sweetness. Normal pears work fine, but if you want a more traditional version of this dish, try using Asian pears! They have a little bit crunchier texture, more similar to an apple. Minced Garlic: To infuse the beef with tasty savory flavor. Grated Ginger: Keeps the flavor of the bulgogi light and bright. Soy Sauce: The foundation of the marinade. Use low-sodium soy sauce if you don’t want things to be too salty. Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty savory flavor and keeps things moist. Sriracha: For just a touch of heat. You could also sub this out for a little bit of gochujang (Korean chili paste). Lime Juice: The acidity helps to make the beef bulgogi extra tender! Brown Sugar: Adds a little sweetness to balance out the flavors. Seasonings: Onion powder and black pepper to enhance the overall flavor of the marinade.

Other Ingredients Needed:

Flank Steak: Thinly sliced in strips that are about the same size so they cook evenly. Vegetable Oil: For cooking the beef bulgogi in.

Cooking Korean Beef Bulgogi

You can either cook this on a grill or on the stove. The slices of beef are really thin so they don’t take long at all to cook. (I’m talking sheer minutes here!) Make sure your grill or skillet is super hot and you have everything ready to go.

Marinating Time: You can marinate the meat in the fridge longer than 30 minutes for a richer flavor, but for the sake of time and simplicity I do it just half an hour. Serve With: Korean cuisine is all about the side dishes! These are called ‘banchan’ in Korean. I love serving Korean Beef Bulgogi over steamed rice. Then I like to add extra veggies for more color and flavor. Try chopped scallions, kimchi, bean sprouts, pickled radish, cucumber slices, or shredded cabbage.