Korean Beef Bulgogi

Korean Beef Bulgogi is a smoky, juicy, and slightly sweet dish made from thinly sliced beef marinated in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, and grated Asian pear. This dish is a perfect combination of savory, sweet, and umami flavors and is quick to cook, making it a great weeknight meal. The beef is charred to perfection, offering a delicious caramelized crust. Serve it with rice and vegetables for a complete meal that rivals any takeout!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds flank steak (or sirloin, tenderloin, or ribeye)

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced

  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

For the Marinade:

  • 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

  • 1/2 cup Asian pear, grated

  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions

  1. Chill the Beef:

    • Wrap the flank steak in plastic wrap and freeze it for about 3 hours to make it easier to slice thinly.

    • Once firm, unwrap and slice across the grain into 1/4-inch thick slices.

  2. Prepare the Marinade:

    • In a medium bowl, combine all marinade ingredients. Add the beef slices and toss to coat evenly.

    • Marinate for at least 2-3 hours or overnight in the fridge, turning the bag occasionally.

  3. Cook the Beef:

    • Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat.

    • Once the oil is hot, add the beef in a single layer, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until charred and caramelized.

    • Repeat with the remaining beef, adding the remaining oil as needed.

  4. Serve:

    • Serve the bulgogi over white rice and garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Expert Tips

  • Slicing the Beef: Freezing the beef slightly helps achieve thin slices. If it’s too soft, pop it back in the freezer for 30 more minutes.

  • Charred Flavor: For the best charring, use a cast-iron grill pan and ensure the pan is hot before adding the beef.

  • Marinating Time: Marinating overnight deepens the flavors and ensures tender, flavorful beef.

Nutrients

  • Calories: 503 kcal per serving

  • Carbohydrates: 14g

  • Protein: 50g

  • Fat: 27g

  • Saturated Fat: 12g

  • Cholesterol: 136mg

  • Sodium: 657mg

  • Potassium: 854mg

  • Fiber: 1g

  • Sugar: 11g

  • Vitamin A: 78 IU

  • Vitamin C: 2mg

  • Calcium: 62mg

  • Iron: 4mg

The Secret Behind the Flavor: Marinade Magic

The key to a delicious Beef Bulgogi lies in its marinade. The combination of reduced-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, and grated Asian pear creates a balanced flavor profile that enhances the natural taste of the beef. Soy sauce provides the dish with its savory umami base, while sesame oil adds a nutty richness that deepens the overall flavor.

Grated Asian pear is an essential ingredient in the marinade, offering natural sweetness and a mild fruity flavor that tenderizes the beef as it marinates. The pear’s enzymes break down the fibers of the meat, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Rice vinegar and brown sugar add a slight tanginess and sweetness, while garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes provide depth and a subtle heat, making each bite burst with flavor.

Marinating the beef for a few hours or overnight is highly recommended as it allows the meat to fully absorb the flavors, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish.

Choosing the Right Beef Cut

The choice of beef cut is important in ensuring the success of your Beef Bulgogi. Traditional recipes typically use flank steak, which is lean yet tender when sliced thinly. However, you can also use sirloin, tenderloin, or ribeye depending on your preference and availability. Each of these cuts offers a slightly different texture and flavor, but all are capable of creating a dish that is juicy and tender when cooked correctly.

Flank steak is ideal because it’s relatively lean, allowing the marinade to infuse the meat without too much fat. When sliced thinly, it cooks quickly, ensuring that it remains tender and flavorful. If you prefer a fattier cut, ribeye offers a richer, more indulgent version of the dish with more marbling, which adds to its juiciness and flavor.

Perfecting the Cooking Method

The way you cook the beef is just as important as the marinade itself. To achieve the perfect Bulgogi, it’s essential to cook the beef quickly at high heat, which ensures a beautiful char while preserving the tenderness of the meat. Using a cast-iron grill pan is ideal for this purpose, as it provides even heat and creates a perfect sear on the beef.

Before cooking, make sure the pan is preheated to medium-high heat. Adding the beef in batches ensures that the pieces aren’t overcrowded, which would cause them to steam rather than sear. Cooking each batch for 2-3 minutes on each side is sufficient to achieve that perfect balance of a crispy, caramelized exterior with a juicy, tender interior. If you don’t have a grill pan, you can use a regular skillet, but a grill pan imparts a unique charred flavor that elevates the dish.

Serving Your Korean Beef Bulgogi

Once the beef is cooked, it’s time to serve your Bulgogi. Traditionally, Beef Bulgogi is served over a bed of white rice, which acts as a neutral base to balance the bold flavors of the beef. The rice also absorbs the savory sauce, making every bite even more flavorful. To make the meal even more vibrant, you can serve it with sautéed vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, or spinach, which complement the rich and sweet notes of the beef.

Garnishing with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds adds a fresh and crunchy element, while the sesame seeds contribute a subtle nutty flavor. For an extra layer of texture, you can also serve the Bulgogi with kimchi, which adds a tangy and spicy contrast to the sweetness of the beef.

Expert Tips for the Best Korean Beef Bulgogi

  • Slicing the Beef: The key to achieving tender Bulgogi is slicing the beef thinly. Freezing the beef for a few hours makes it easier to cut it into thin slices. If the beef becomes too soft during slicing, simply return it to the freezer for another 30 minutes before continuing. This step is crucial in ensuring the meat cooks evenly and remains tender.

  • Marinating Time: While you can marinate the beef for just a few hours, marinating it overnight provides the best results. The longer the beef sits in the marinade, the more the flavors penetrate the meat, resulting in a deeper, more flavorful Bulgogi. If you’re short on time, marinating for at least two to three hours will still yield a delicious result.

  • Charred Flavor: For the best results, use a cast-iron grill pan to cook the beef. This pan’s ability to retain heat ensures a great sear on the beef, resulting in that signature charred, caramelized crust that makes Bulgogi so irresistible. Preheat the pan before adding the beef, and avoid overcrowding it to ensure a perfect char.

  • Adding Heat: If you enjoy a bit of spice, you can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes in the marinade to your liking. For an even spicier kick, consider adding fresh sliced chili peppers to the dish or incorporating chili paste.

Nutritional Benefits of Korean Beef Bulgogi

While Korean Beef Bulgogi is undeniably flavorful, it also offers some nutritional benefits. Each serving of Bulgogi contains a healthy amount of protein from the beef, making it a satisfying meal. The beef is also rich in iron, which is essential for transporting oxygen in the blood, as well as potassium, which helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

The dish also provides a decent amount of fiber from the vegetables and rice, though it’s primarily high in protein and fat. The carbohydrates from the rice help balance the dish, making it a well-rounded meal. If you’re looking for a low-carb alternative, you can swap the rice for cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps for a lighter version of the meal.

Conclusion: A Meal That Delivers on Flavor and Ease

Korean Beef Bulgogi is an incredible dish that delivers on both flavor and ease of preparation. The marinated beef, cooked quickly at high heat, offers a tender, juicy texture with a perfectly charred crust. The combination of savory, sweet, and umami flavors makes this dish a standout, while the quick cooking time ensures it’s perfect for busy weeknights. Paired with rice and vegetables, it’s a complete meal that’s sure to satisfy. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, Korean Beef Bulgogi is a recipe that’s worth trying again and again. It’s sure to become a family favorite!

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