Korean Beef Bulgogi Recipe

Beef ribeye: Thinly sliced beef ribeye is tender and perfect for soaking up the marinade.

Soy sauce: This adds a salty, savory base to the marinade.

Sugar: Sugar balances the saltiness with a touch of sweetness.

Sesame oil: Adds a nutty flavor that’s key to authentic bulgogi.

Garlic: Minced garlic gives the dish a nice punch of flavor.

Onion: Thinly sliced onion adds sweetness and texture.

Sesame seeds: These are sprinkled on top for a little crunch and extra nuttiness.

Green onions: Chopped green onions add freshness and color.

One of the most important steps in this Korean Beef Bulgogi Recipe is getting the onion sliced just right. Thinly sliced onion helps the flavor mix well with the marinade and cooks evenly with the beef. Here’s how you can slice an onion thinly without any trouble:

1. Cut off the top and root ends of the onion and peel off the skin.
2. Slice the onion in half from top to bottom.
3. Lay each half flat on the cutting board.
4. Hold the onion steady with your fingers curled in, then carefully slice across the onion to make thin, even pieces.

When the onion is sliced thin, it softens quickly in the marinade and cooks faster with the beef. This means the onion adds a nice sweetness and texture without being too crunchy or overpowering. Plus, thin slices soak up the soy sauce and sesame oil flavors better, making every bite tastier.

I remember the first time I tried this, I cut the onion too thick, and it didn’t cook through by the time the beef was done. It felt a little raw and didn’t mix well with the other flavors. Now, I always take a little extra time to slice it thin, and it makes a big difference. If you’re in a hurry, you can even use a food processor with a slicing blade, but be careful not to make the slices too thin or mushy.

Getting the onion right is a simple trick that makes your bulgogi taste just like it does in your favorite Korean restaurant!

• beef ribeye - Substitute with sirloin: Sirloin is also tender and flavorful, making it a good alternative for bulgogi.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that has a similar taste profile to soy sauce.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness and a bit of depth to the marinade.

• sesame oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used if sesame oil is unavailable, though it will lack the nutty flavor.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in a pinch, though fresh garlic provides a more robust flavor.

• onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder taste and can be used as a substitute for onions.

• sesame seeds - Substitute with chia seeds: Chia seeds can add a similar crunch, though they lack the nutty flavor of sesame seeds.

• green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives have a similar mild onion flavor and can be used as a substitute for green onions.

• Allow the beef bulgogi to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to soggy meat and spoilage.
• Transfer the cooled bulgogi into an airtight container. If you have a vacuum sealer, use it to extend the shelf life even further.
• Label the container with the date of preparation. This is crucial for keeping track of freshness.
• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the bulgogi within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place it in the freezer.
• When freezing, consider portioning the bulgogi into meal-sized servings. This makes it easier to defrost only what you need, reducing waste.
• To reheat refrigerated bulgogi, use a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or beef broth to keep it moist.
• For frozen bulgogi, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Alternatively, use the defrost setting on your microwave.
• Once thawed, reheat the bulgogi in a skillet or microwave until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it's safe to eat.
• Garnish with fresh green onions and sesame seeds before serving to revive the dish's vibrant flavors and textures.

• For the stovetop method:

  1. Place a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of sesame oil to the pan.
  3. Once the oil is hot, add the leftover Korean beef bulgogi.
  4. Stir occasionally until the beef is heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
  5. Garnish with fresh green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

• For the microwave method:

  1. Place the beef bulgogi in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Stir the beef halfway through to ensure even heating.
  5. Check if the beef is heated through; if not, continue microwaving in 30-second intervals.
  6. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

• For the oven method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the beef bulgogi in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Heat in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the beef is warmed through.
  5. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

• For the air fryer method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the beef bulgogi in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

• Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine the marinade ingredients and beef slices.

• Whisk: Useful for thoroughly mixing the soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and onion.

• Knife: Essential for thinly slicing the beef ribeye and chopping the green onions.

• Cutting board: A surface to safely slice the beef and chop the vegetables.

• Grill: An option for cooking the marinated beef to achieve a smoky flavor.

• Skillet: An alternative to the grill, used for cooking the beef on the stovetop.

• Tongs: Handy for flipping and handling the beef slices while cooking.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the soy sauce and sesame oil accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the sugar and sesame seeds.

• Garlic press: Optional but helpful for mincing the garlic quickly and efficiently.

Prepare the marinade ahead: Mix the soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and onion the night before to save time.

Use pre-sliced beef: Purchase thinly sliced beef ribeye from the store to skip the slicing step.

Quick marination: If you're short on time, marinate the beef for just 15 minutes at room temperature instead of 30 minutes.

Preheat the skillet: Ensure your grill or skillet is hot before adding the beef to reduce cooking time.

Garnish in advance: Chop the green onions and toast the sesame seeds while the beef is marinating.