Experience the irresistible flavors of my Korean BBQ Bulgogi, a dish that brings the essence of authentic Korean cuisine right to your kitchen! This savory and sweet marinade transforms thinly sliced beef into a mouthwatering delight. With just under 5 minutes of prep time, it’s a breeze to prepare. If you’re looking to recreate the magic of Korean BBQ at home, my recipe is your ticket!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
My Korean BBQ Bulgogi is a beloved classic that captures the essence of Korean cuisine and happens to be one of my personal favorites! This recipe showcases tender, thinly sliced rib-eye, perfectly marinated in a savory and sweet blend of soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, garlic, and other flavorful ingredients. To level it up even further, you can pair it with my Sweet Galbi Style Dipping Sauce to elevate every bite!
It’s a versatile dish suitable for any mealtime, from weeknight dinners to special occasion! The beef becomes tender and bursting with flavors, making it an ideal choice to pair with a green salad tossed in my Korean BBQ Salad Dressing!
Like my other Korean BBQ-inspired dishes such as Korean BBQ Garlic Pork Belly and Miso Pork Belly, this recipe captures the essence of traditional marinated Korean flavors, making it a must-try for anyone craving a taste of Korea. And the best part of my recipe? It’s so easy to make and nearly fail proof! So, let’s dive into creating this Korean BBQ Bulgogi and get grilling right now!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Thinly Sliced Rib Eye – you can find thinly sliced meat at your local Asian supermarket under packages labeled ‘shabu shabu’ (thin), or ‘sukiyaki’ (slightly thicker).
- Onion – yellow or brown onion.
- Green Onion – green onion scallions.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds – optional garnish.
- Garlic– fresh garlic.
- Jalapeno – fresh whole jalapeno .
- Soy Sauce – low-sodium Soy Sauce preferred. Can also use tamari for gluten-free.
- Water – used for the marinade.
- Sweetener – use your preferred sweetener.
- Toasted Sesame Oil – 100% Toasted Sesame Oil that should have a dark brown color.
- Black pepper – ground.
- Neutral Oil – no taste or flavor with high cooking temperature. Some choices are sunflower oil, peanut oil, sallower oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil.
🔑 Marinade Secret Ingredient
You can enhance the marinade by including 2-3 tbsp of grated Korean Pear or 1-2 tbsp of pressed Kiwi to naturally sweeten and tenderize the meat, or you can opt for 1/2 cup of Cola instead of water to add extra sweetness to your Korean BBQ Bulgogi.
🥩 Beef Note
The best cuts to use are Rib-eye, Chuck, or Sirloin. You can find these meats already pre-cut in thin slices at your local Asian supermarket, under packages labeled ‘shabu shabu’ (thin), or ‘sukiyaki’ (slightly thicker).
Essential Kitchen Equipment
- Food Processor
- Zip Lock Bags
Directions
Step 1 To make the marinade, use a food processor to combine soy sauce, water, sweetener, toasted sesame oil, chopped onions, jalapeno, garlic, and black pepper.
Step 2 After it’s blended, transfer all to a zip-lock bag, along with sliced beef and sliced onions. Seal the bag, ensuring no air is inside. Massage the marinade into the meat with your hands, place the bag into the fridge for 24 hours.
💡 Marinating Pro Tip
For the best results, add each beef slice individually to ensure each piece is covered in marinade. If needed, adjust by adding a bit of Water or Cola for Extra Sweetness. This technique guarantees that every slice absorbs the rich flavors of the marinade.
Step 3 Grill the in a oil coated foil packet at 350F for 4-6 minutes with the cover closed until meat is browned.
🔥 Grilling Pro Tip
You can grill the marinated beef directly Without the Need to Wash Off the Marinade.
Recipe Variations
Feel free to switch out the sliced beef with short ribs to prepare Korean BBQ Short Ribs Marinade, known for their succulent tenderness. You can also use chicken thighs for a flavorful Korean BBQ Marinated Chicken dish.
Paring Recommendations
Pair your Korean BBQ with rice, traditional banchan like Korean Spinach Salad, Korean Pickled Vegetables and Korean Pickled Garlic, or enjoy it wrapped in lettuce, rice paper, or pickled radish wraps. For a different meat option, consider including some Pan Seared Korean BBQ Brisket paired with my Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce or a simple Korean Pan Fried Pork Belly to your meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you freeze bulgogi marinade?
Yes! This marinade also works well for meal planning. Just make a whole batch, and throw it in the freezer once the marination portion is completed. If you flatten the zip-lock bags after massaging the meat, it can be a real space saver in your freezer.
How long to marinate beef bulgogi?
For best results, we recommend marinating overnight, or for 24 hours, to ensure all that juicy goodness is soaked all the way through.
Can I make the marinade without jalapeno for a milder flavor?
Yes, the jalapeno is completely optional, so feel free to skip it if you prefer a milder taste.
What's the best way to cook Bulgogi if I don't have access to a grill?
If you don't have access to a grill, you can simply pan fry instead. It's an excellent alternative cooking method that will still yield delicious results.
Storage Tips
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They will remain fresh for 5-7 days when stored this way.
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Watch How To Make It
Korean BBQ Bulgogi
Ingredients
Bulgogi
- 1 lbs Sliced Beef Chuck, Rib-eye, Sirloin
- 1/4 Cup Onions
- 2 Stalks Green Onion
- 1 tbsp Toasted Sesame Seed
- 1 tbsp Netural Cooking Oil no flavor
Marinade
- 1/4 Cup Onions chopped
- 4 Cloves Garlic
- 1/4 Whole Jalapeno optional
- 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp Water
- 2 tbsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
- 2 tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Use a blender or food processor to combine Soy Sauce, Water, sweetener, Toasted Sesame Oil, chopped onions, jalapeno, garlic, black pepper, secret ingredient and form marinade. Transfer marinade to a zip-lock bag.
- Finley slice onion and add into zip-lock, along with sliced beef. Massage in the marinade ensuring equal distribution.
- Place zip-lock bag flat in the fridge for 24 hours (up to 36 hour flipping over at least once half way through the marinate.
- After marination is complete, cut green onions into 1 inch sticks and set aside.
- Preheat grill on high until temp reaches ~350F. In the meantime, make a pan with the sheet of aluminum foil and generously apply cooking oil and transfer beef and green onions. Once grill is up to temp,lower heat to medium-low and place pan on grill. Close lid and cook for~1 minute. After 1 minute, open lid, mix beef around and close lid back. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until beef is cooked while occasional mixing beef and keeping the lid closed. Once cooked, transfer to serving plate.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds and best served with some vegetables.
Nutrition
*Values Based Per Serving