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This delicious Korean Beef Bulgogi so easy and packed with flavor! Thinly sliced beef in an authentic Korean marinade make this one pan meal the perfect dinner to make for an easy weeknight dinner!
Hello, and happy Monday!
Today I will be sharing with you a recipe I am sure you are going to love!
You will be pleasantly surprised just how easy and delicious Korean Beef Bulgogi is to make at home. With just a handful of ingredients, you will have the most flavorful, tender Korean stir-fry that rivals even the best Korean barbecue joints.
This month my focus will be on a lot of healthy-ish stir fry’s and some easy, one pan dinners. After all, we could all use some go-to dinners that are both easy, healthy and satisfying! After all the heavy holiday foods, it feels so good to be back to basics and easy meals. My Instant pot Indian Butter Chicken was a huge hit and I just know this authentic Korean Beef Bulgogi will be as well!
Why we love this Easy Korean Beef Bulgogi:
A few years back, my family had the opportunity to visit the bustling city of Seoul, South Korea. We fell in love with Seoul! The people, the history, all the fun random activities (think like a goat cafe where you can pet goats and have a coffee….), and of course, the food! My love for Korean cuisine has forever been deepened by the amazing Korean barbecue we had the privilege of experiencing.
Korean food has become quite popular in America in recent years, which has been exciting to see! Of all the Asian cuisines, Korean food would definitely be on the top of my list and will always hold a special place in my heart. When I need a good Korean food fix, this recipe never disappoints!
Someday we plan to go back to Korea and immerse ourselves in the rich culture and cuisine. But until then, this authentic Korean Bulgogi will have to do the trick.
How to make Easy Korean Beef Bulgogi:
Because the beef is the star of the show, I would avoid using tougher cuts of meat such as chuck, unless you tenderize it first.
For this bulgogi I used a rib-eye roast which I found at Grocery Outlet. Ribeye is a great option, as it is so tender and flavorful! Flank steak and sirloin would also be great choices. Whichever cut you choose, find a cut that is well marbled.
You will notice this recipe uses grated apple and onion in the marinade, which is authentic to Korean cuisine. The apple adds a a subtle sweetness that is unique but not overpowering. Its so good, but sure not to skip it!
One of the key steps for a delicious beef bulgogi is to allow the beef to marinate for at least 1 hour, but preferably 3 hours. I have also tried marinating the beef overnight, and surprisingly it wasn’t much different than the 3 hour batch. Three hours is is the sweet spot for this delicious bulgogi. If you have the time, 3 hours is highly recommended.
When slicing your meat, you will want to make sure you’re slicing the pieces rather thin, about ¼ of an inch in thickness and against the grain. Against the grain= extra tender meat.
Place all the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl or ziploc bag, and marinate in the refrigerator for 1-3 hours.
When the beef is ready, slice the onion and heat up a large pan over medium high heat with 2 tablespoons of oil. When the oil is hot, add the sliced onion and cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring often.
Bump the heat up to high and add the marinated beef along with the remaining marinade. Cook on high for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Serve with rice or lettuce wraps.
Korean food pairs especially well with a light wheat beer. While in Korea we discovered how much they love beer and meat. My kind of people!
As always, I love hearing from you! Be sure to leave a comment if you make this and don’t forget to subscribe!
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Recipe
Korean Beef Bulgogi
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons grated onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons grated red apple
- 1 teaspoon minced or fresh grated ginger
For the Beef:
- 1 lb. good quality meat such as rib-eye, flank or sirloin
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 2 scallions chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the beef and marinade. Slice the meat thin, about ¼' of an inch thick and against the grain. Place all the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl or ziploc bag, and marinate in the refrigerator for 1-3 hours.
- When the beef is ready, slice the onion and heat up a large pan over medium high heat with 2 tablespoons of oil. When the oil is hot, add the sliced onion and cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring often. Add the scallions.
- Bump the heat up to high and add the marinated beef along with the remaining marinade. Cook on high for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly. Serve with rice or lettuce wraps.
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