Description
Beef Bulgogi is a classic Korean dish featuring thinly sliced, marinated beef cooked quickly in a skillet to achieve a tender, flavorful result. This recipe combines a savory marinade of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil with a touch of sweetness from brown sugar and a spicy kick from red pepper flakes. It’s perfect for a delicious weeknight meal served over steamed white rice and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Marinade
- 1½ pounds thin-cut beef bottom round steak, sliced into ½-1 inch strips
- â…“ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil (for marinade)
- 2½ teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- ¾ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Cooking and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil (for cooking)
- 1-2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 teaspoons sesame seeds
- Minced green onions (optional, for garnish)
- Cooked white rice (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large sealable plastic bag, combine the steak strips, soy sauce, light brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of sesame oil, minced garlic, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes if using. Seal the bag and shake to coat the beef evenly with the marinade.
- Marinate the Beef: Remove excess air from the bag, reseal it, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Heat the Skillet: When ready to cook, heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to ensure it is hot enough for quick searing.
- Cook the Beef: Add the marinated beef along with as much of the marinade as desired to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the beef is fully cooked and slightly caramelized.
- Prepare Thickening Slurry: Transfer the cooked beef to a plate. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 2-3 tablespoons of the hot marinade liquid to create a slurry.
- Thicken the Sauce: Pour the cornstarch slurry back into the skillet with the remaining marinade sauce. Bring it to a boil while stirring continuously.
- Finish the Sauce: Boil the sauce for about 1 minute until it thickens, being careful not to overcook to maintain proper consistency and flavor.
- Serve: Drizzle the thickened sauce over the cooked beef. Garnish with sesame seeds and minced green onions if desired. Serve hot with steamed white rice on the side for a complete meal.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the beef overnight if possible.
- Use a thinly sliced bottom round steak for tenderness and quick cooking.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the spiciness.
- Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
- White rice is optional but traditional to soak up the delicious sauce.
