Description
A classic Korean dish featuring thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, then quickly cooked to tender, flavorful perfection. This bulgogi recipe balances the richness of ribeye or sirloin with a fragrant marinade made from soy sauce, garlic, and grated pear, delivering authentic Korean barbecue flavors in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Beef and Marinade
- 500 g thinly sliced beef (ribeye or sirloin)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 pear or apple, grated
- 1 tsp grated ginger
For Cooking and Garnish
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated pear (or apple), and grated ginger. Stir thoroughly to dissolve the sugar and blend flavors.
- Marinate the beef and onion: Add the thinly sliced beef and sliced onion to the marinade. Mix thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.
- Heat the pan: Place a skillet or frying pan over high heat and add the vegetable oil. Allow the oil to heat until it shimmers but is not smoking, ensuring a good sear on the beef.
- Cook the beef: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, add the marinated beef and onions to the hot pan. Cook quickly, stirring or tossing often, until the beef is browned and cooked through, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per batch.
- Garnish and serve: Once all the beef is cooked, return all batches to the pan to combine and warm through briefly if needed. Transfer to serving plates and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a final burst of flavor and texture. Serve immediately, ideally with steamed rice and lettuce wraps.
Notes
- Marinate the beef for longer, up to 2 hours, for a deeper and more intense flavor.
- Serve bulgogi with warm steamed rice and fresh lettuce leaves to make wraps for a traditional Korean experience.
- You can substitute pear with apple if a pear is not available; both add sweetness and tenderize the meat.
- Use sesame oil sparingly in the marinade as it has a strong flavor that can overwhelm the dish.
- Thinly slicing the beef yourself helps achieve the ideal texture and absorbs marinade better than pre-packaged slices.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Korean
