This easy beef bulgogi recipe is made with thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet, savory, garlicky Korean-inspired sauce, then cooked until tender, juicy, and caramelized!
This easy beef bulgogi is one of those cozy, flavorful dinners that feels special but is surprisingly simple to make at home. Thinly sliced beef is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, brown sugar, honey, onion, and pear, then quickly cooked in a hot pan until tender and caramelized.
Bulgogi is a Korean-style marinated beef dish known for its juicy texture, deep savory flavor, and slightly sweet finish. The key is using very thinly sliced meat so the marinade can soak in quickly and the beef cooks fast without becoming tough. It’s perfect served over warm rice, tucked into lettuce wraps, or paired with simple sides like cucumber, kimchi, steamed vegetables, or a fried egg.
This homemade beef bulgogi is flavorful, family-friendly, and great for an easy weeknight dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Beef Bulgogi
This easy beef bulgogi recipe is sweet, savory, garlicky, and full of rich sesame flavor. The thin slices of beef cook quickly, making this a great meal when you want something comforting but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
You’ll love this recipe because it is:
- Made with simple ingredients
- Perfect for rice bowls, lettuce wraps, or meal prep
- Sweet, savory, and full of umami flavor
- Quick to cook once the beef is marinated
- A great family-friendly dinner option
The marinade does most of the work here. It tenderizes the beef, adds flavor, and helps the meat caramelize beautifully in the pan.
What Meat To Use For Bulgogi
Bulgogi is usually made with very thinly sliced beef. The thin slices help the meat soak up the marinade quickly and cook in just a few minutes.
The best cuts of meat for beef bulgogi are:
- Ribeye
- Sirloin
- Flank steak
- New York strip
- Pre-sliced beef labeled “beef for bulgogi”
- Shabu shabu or hot pot-style beef
Ribeye is one of the best options because it has good marbling, which makes the bulgogi juicy, tender, and flavorful. Sirloin is a slightly leaner option that still works well. Flank steak is also delicious, but it should be sliced very thinly against the grain so it stays tender.
If you are slicing the meat yourself, place it in the freezer for about 20 to 30 minutes first. This firms it up and makes it much easier to slice thinly.
Ingredient Notes
Thinly sliced beef: Very thin beef is essential for tender bulgogi. It cooks quickly and absorbs the marinade well.
Soy sauce: This creates the savory, salty base of the marinade and gives the beef that deep umami flavor.
Brown sugar and honey: These add sweetness and help the beef caramelize as it cooks.
Sesame oil: Sesame oil gives the bulgogi its rich, nutty aroma and classic Korean-inspired flavor.
Garlic and ginger: These add warmth, depth, and a fragrant savory flavor to the marinade.
Onion: Grated onion adds natural sweetness and helps tenderize the meat.
Asian pear: Asian pear is commonly used in bulgogi marinades because it adds sweetness and helps soften the beef. If you don’t have Asian pear, you can use apple, apple juice, or leave it out.
Rice vinegar or mirin: This is optional, but it adds a little brightness and balance to the marinade.
What To Serve With Beef Bulgogi
Beef bulgogi is delicious with simple sides that balance the sweet and savory meat.
Serve it with:
- Steamed white rice
- Brown rice
- Lettuce wraps
- Kimchi
- Sliced cucumbers
- Pickled carrots
- Steamed broccoli
- Fried egg
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
Easy Beef Bulgogi
Ingredients
For The Beef
- 1 pound thinly sliced beef such as ribeye, sirloin, or flank steak
- 1/2 small onion thinly sliced
- 2 green onions chopped
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil for cooking
- Sesame seeds for garnish
For The Bulgogi Marinade
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/2 small onion grated or blended
- 1/2 Asian pear grated or blended
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or mirin optional
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, grated onion, grated Asian pear, rice vinegar or mirin, and black pepper in a large bowl.
- Add the thinly sliced beef, sliced onion, and green onions, then mix until the beef is evenly coated in the marinade.
- Cover the bowl and marinate the beef in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- Heat a large skillet with the neutral oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the marinated beef in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Cook for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked and lightly caramelized around the edges.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and additional green onions.
- Serve warm over rice, in lettuce wraps, or with your favorite vegetables and side dishes.
