Easy Beef Bulgogi

There’s a reason why bulgogi is one of Korea’s most popular culinary export—it’s the perfect balance of beefy, savory, and sweet. Cook it on a grill pan for the best char.

Beef Bulgogi

Ciara Kehoe / Simply Recipes

Bulgogi, a marinated and grilled beef popular at Korean restaurants, is easy to make at home. Bul means “fire” and gogi means “meat” in Korean—the meat is typically cooked over an open flame, which caramelizes the sweetened marinade and chars the meat.

At home, cook the bulgogi on a hot cast iron grill pan. All you need is a warm bowl of rice on the side for the most satisfying dinner. 

The Best Beef for Bulgogi

Thinly sliced ribeye is the best cut of beef for bulgogi. As an alternative, use thinly sliced, tender, and well-marbled chuck, sirloin, flank, or tenderloin. If you have a Korean grocery store nearby, you’ll find pre-sliced bulgogi beef in varying grades.

I think it pays to spend a little more and get the best quality beef. It’ll be beautifully marbled without excess fat or gristle around the edges, so it will be tastier.

Beef Bulgogi

Ciara Kehoe / Simply Recipes

How To Slice Bulgogi Beef at Home

You can buy a whole piece of beef and slice it at home. Freeze it whole for a couple of hours until it’s firm but not too hard to cut through. It’ll be easier to slice when it’s a little firm.

Use a sharp chef’s knife to cut it against the grain as thinly as you can, about 1/8 inch thick. Since the beef is sliced so thinly, it absorbs the marinade quickly and cooks very fast.

What is in the Bulgogi Marinade?

A classic bulgogi marinade has soy sauce, garlic, sugar, mirin (a seasoned sweet rice wine), and grated Asian pear. Any sweet fruit that has some acidity would work here: any variety of pear, apples, kiwi, or even pineapple or orange juice. The acid helps tenderize the meat. 

Although it’s not necessary, I like to marinate and cook thinly sliced onions, mushrooms, and carrots along with the beef for added texture and flavor. 

Can You Make Bulgogi with Other Meats?

Bulgogi implies the use of beef. If made with chicken, it’s called dak bulgogi and with pork it’s called dwaeji bulgogi. Both use a similar marinade, but often with the addition of gochujang, a fermented Korean chili paste, and ginger.

Beef Bulgogi

Ciara Kehoe / Simply Recipes

The Best Pan for the Best Char

This recipe calls for cooking the bulgogi on a cast iron grill pan. A cast iron skillet, a regular grill pan, or even an outdoor grill could work. You can also stir fry the bulgogi in a wok or a regular skillet, but you won’t get that beautiful iconic char, instead the juices may pool in your pan. It’ll still taste good. The key is to cook the bulgogi over high heat without overcrowding the pan.

What To Serve with Bulgogi

Serve it with rice, kimchi, and a variety of banchan, Korean side dishes.

A classic way to serve it: use fresh perilla or lettuce leaves for wrapping the bulgogi. Place a leaf on the palm of one hand, add some bulgogi, a little gochujang sauce, and a piece of kimchi on top. Wrap the leaf up and stuff it in your mouth for the tastiest bite you’ll ever have.

Pine for Leftover Bulgogi

Nothing is quite as exciting as leftover bulgogi. It’s packed with so much flavor. Use it as a filling for tacos or Philly cheesesteaks. Stir it into fried rice or bibimbap, a popular Korean mixed rice dish. I love it in kimbap too—it’s like a hand rolled sushi, except it’s filled with vegetables and cooked meat instead of fish.

Beef Bulgogi

Ciara Kehoe / Simply Recipes

More Korean-Inspired Recipes to Try

Easy Beef Bulgogi

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Marinating Time 30 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

  • 1/2 Asian pear, peeled and grated

  • 2 tablespoons mirin, rice wine, or dry white wine

  • 2 tablespoons sugar

  • 3 large cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 1/2 pounds ribeye, sliced 1/8 inch thick

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil

  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

  • Cooked rice, to serve, optional

Method

  1. Make the marinade:

    In a medium bowl, add the soy sauce, grated pear, mirin, sugar, garlic, sesame oil, and black pepper. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

    Marinade for Beef Bulgogi

    Ciara Kehoe / Simply Recipes

  2. Marinate the beef: 

    Add the beef and toss until it is evenly coated with the marinade. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight. At this point, you can put the marinated beef in a zip top bag and freeze it for later.

    Marinate Beef for Beef Bulgogi

    Ciara Kehoe / Simply Recipes

  3. Cook the bulgogi: 

    Heat the canola oil in a large cast iron grill pan over medium-high heat. Make sure the pan is hot before you add the bulgogi. Add the bulgogi in a single layer. You may need to cook it in batches. The meat should not overlap so that it chars nicely without steaming and releasing liquid. Cook until lightly charred and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

    Beef in Cast Iron Skillet for Beef Bulgogi

    Ciara Kehoe / Simply Recipes

  4. Serve:

    Transfer the bulgogi onto a serving platter or serve it straight from the pan. Sprinkle the green onions and sesame seeds on top. Serve it while hot with cooked rice on the side.

    Leftovers can be tightly covered and refrigerated for up to 5 days.

    Did you love the recipe? Leave us some stars below!

    Beef Bulgogi

    Ciara Kehoe / Simply Recipes

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
629 Calories
42g Fat
20g Carbs
45g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 629
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 42g 54%
Saturated Fat 16g 78%
Cholesterol 133mg 44%
Sodium 697mg 30%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 45g
Vitamin C 14mg 72%
Calcium 73mg 6%
Iron 5mg 28%
Potassium 701mg 15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.