Bulgogi Recipe: Korean Marinated Grilled Beef

Bulgogi, which means “fire meat” in Korean, is a classic Korean dish made from thinly sliced beef that’s marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and other flavorful ingredients before being grilled or pan-fried. Bulgogi recipe is savory, slightly sweet, and packed with umami. Perfect for serving with steamed rice or wrapped in lettuce.

• 500g beef ribeye or sirloin, thinly sliced
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons grated pear (Asian pear preferred)
• 2 tablespoons grated onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon rice wine or mirin
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 stalks green onion, chopped
• Black pepper to taste

1. Step 1: Prepare the Beef – Slice the beef thinly across the grain. Partially freezing the beef for 30–45 minutes before slicing makes this easier.
2. Step 2: Make the Marinade – In a bowl, combine all marinade ingredients. Mix well until sugar dissolves.
3. Step 3: Marinate the Beef – Add the sliced beef to the marinade. Toss to coat each slice evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best flavor.
4. Step 4: Cook the Bulgogi – Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of oil if necessary. Cook the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding, about 2–3 minutes per side until caramelized and cooked through.
5. Step 5: Serve – Serve hot with steamed rice, kimchi, or wrapped in lettuce with ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce).