Korean BBQ Bulgogi (Savory Korean BBQ Recipe Served With Rice)
Korean BBQ Bulgogi is a dish that showcases the bold and savory flavors of Korean cuisine. Thinly sliced beef is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, then grilled to perfection, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that’s perfect for wrapping in lettuce leaves or serving over rice.
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Marinating Time: 1-4 hours
- Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes
Number of Servings
- Servings: 4-6
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds beef sirloin, ribeye, or flank steak, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice wine or mirin
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking)
Directions
- Combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice wine or mirin, minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped green onions, sesame seeds (if using), and black pepper to create the marinade.
- Place the thinly sliced beef in a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over the beef, ensuring it is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the grill with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Remove the marinated beef from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes.
- Once the grill is hot, place the marinated beef slices on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are caramelized and cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Transfer the grilled Bulgogi to a serving platter and garnish with additional chopped green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
- Serve the Korean BBQ Bulgogi hot off the grill, either as a main dish with rice and side dishes, or wrapped in lettuce leaves with rice and dipping sauces.
READ: Wonderful and Delicious BBQ Recipes from around the World
Nutrition Information
- Calories: Approximately 250 per serving
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 10g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 7g
- Protein: 25g
Historical and Cultural Significance
Bulgogi is a classic Korean dish that dates back centuries, with roots in the royal cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty. Traditionally made with thinly sliced beef or pork marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and other seasonings, bulgogi has become a staple of Korean BBQ.
Special Tips
- For best results, use tender cuts of beef such as sirloin, ribeye, or flank steak, and slice them thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness
- If you don’t have access to a grill, you can also cook the bulgogi in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat on the stovetop
- Customize the marinade to suit your taste preferences by adjusting the sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness to your liking
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the Korean BBQ Bulgogi with steamed rice, kimchi, and a variety of banchan (Korean side dishes) such as pickled vegetables, tofu, and seasoned greens.
- Wrap the grilled bulgogi in lettuce leaves with rice, sliced garlic, ssamjang (Korean spicy dipping sauce), and other condiments for a delicious and interactive dining experience.
Korean BBQ Bulgogi
Thinly sliced beef is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, then grilled to perfection, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that's perfectfor wrapping in lettuce leaves or serving over rice.
Servings:5 People
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds beef sirloin ribeye, or flank steak, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice wine or mirin
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 green onions chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for cooking
Instructions
- Combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice wine or mirin, minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped green onions, sesame seeds (if using), and black pepper to create the marinade.
- Place the thinly sliced beef in a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over the beef, ensuring it is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the grill with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Remove the marinated beef from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes.
- Once the grill is hot, place the marinated beef slices on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are caramelized and cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Transfer the grilled Bulgogi to a serving platter and garnish with additional chopped green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
- Serve the Korean BBQ Bulgogi hot off the grill, either as a main dish with rice and side dishes, or wrapped in lettuce leaves with rice and dipping sauces.
Notes
Special Tips
- For best results, use tender cuts of beef such as sirloin, ribeye, or flank steak, and slice them thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness
- If you don’t have access to a grill, you can also cook the bulgogi in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat on the stovetop
- Customize the marinade to suit your taste preferences by adjusting the sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness to your liking
- Serve the Korean BBQ Bulgogi with steamed rice, kimchi, and a variety of banchan (Korean side dishes) such as pickled vegetables, tofu, and seasoned greens.
- Wrap the grilled bulgogi in lettuce leaves with rice, sliced garlic, ssamjang (Korean spicy dipping sauce), and other condiments for a delicious and interactive dining experience.
