Korean Beef Bulgogi

This easy-to-make beef bulgogi is packed with flavors that rival any restaurant dish. The sweet-savory marinade, using everyday ingredients, guarantees tender and delicious bulgogi every time.

What Is Bulgogi?

Bulgogi, meaning 'fire meat' in Korean, typically involves thin slices of beef (or pork), marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, and grilled to tender, flavorful perfection.

How to Pronounce Bulgogi

"Bulgogi" is pronounced as "bul-GOH-gee."

Ingredients for Beef Bulgogi

This easy beef bulgogi recipe requires just eight simple ingredients:

Flank Steak
For this recipe, flank steak is ideal due to its tenderness and flavor. However, you can also substitute with skirt steak or hanger steak.

Soy Sauce
The savory, umami-packed soy sauce forms the foundation of the bulgogi marinade.

Sugar
A few tablespoons of white sugar provide just the right amount of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.

Green Onion and Garlic
Chopped green onions and minced garlic infuse the marinade with extra depth, enhancing the overall flavor without overpowering it.

Sesame Seeds
Toasted or untoasted sesame seeds both work well in this recipe.

Sesame Oil
Opt for high-quality sesame oil to bring out the best flavor in your bulgogi.

Pepper
Top it off with a dash of black pepper. If you're using low-sodium soy sauce, feel free to add a pinch of salt to taste.

How to Prepare Beef Bulgogi

While the full recipe is below, here's an overview of what to expect when you prepare this highly-rated beef bulgogi:

Marinate the Beef

Place the flank steak in a shallow dish. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients and whisk until smooth. Pour the marinade over the steak, ensuring the meat is fully coated. Cover the dish and let the beef marinate in the refrigerator for about one hour.

Grill the Beef

Preheat a lightly oiled grill to high heat and cook the beef until it's perfectly charred and cooked through. This should take about 1 to 2 minutes per side.

What to Serve with Bulgogi

Recipe creator Tenny Sharp recommends serving the bulgogi in lettuce wraps with rice and gochujang. Alternatively, pair the beef with one of these flavorful, Korean-inspired side dishes:

Kongnamool (Korean Soybean Sprouts)
Korean Cucumber Salad
Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)

How to Store Leftover Beef Bulgogi

Store any leftover beef bulgogi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat it either in the microwave or on the stove.

Can Beef Bulgogi Be Frozen?

Yes, you can freeze cooked beef bulgogi. Let it cool first, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It will last for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Dinogo Community Feedback and Praise

"This was incredible," says Corinne. "I swapped white sugar for brown sugar. My husband insists we have this every week. I also made the Asian Cucumber Salad from this site to serve alongside. I'll definitely be making this again!"

"Absolutely phenomenal," shares Sheila. "This is one of the best recipes I've found on this site. It's now part of our regular meal plan, and I pair it with either broccoli or bok choy and rice. Truly fantastic."

"I always marinate it overnight, so I don't stress too much about slicing the beef," says SummerSandals. "I just cut it as thin as I can with my dull knives and don't worry too much. Make sure the sugar dissolves completely in the marinade before adding it to the beef. I prefer brown sugar, but it takes a little longer to dissolve. Since I rarely buy green onions, I use white or red onions, and it works perfectly."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons soy sauce

• ¼ cup chopped green onion

• 2 ½ tablespoons white sugar

• 2 tablespoons minced garlic

• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

• 2 tablespoons sesame oil

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced

Instructions

Collect all the necessary ingredients.

In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, green onions, sugar, garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, and black pepper.

Place the slices of flank steak in a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the meat, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for more flavor.

Grill the flank steak slices quickly on the hot grill until they are slightly charred and fully cooked, about 1 to 2 minutes per side.

Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Information (per serving)