This easy bulgogi recipe is tender Korean BBQ beef made with a sweet and savory marinade then cooked quickly on the stove or grill for a flavorful dinner everyone loves.

Cooked beef bulgogi garnished with sesame seeds and green onions on a serving plate.

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Beef Bulgogi Recipe

Beef bulgogi is a little different from Korean ground beef bowl or Korean BBQ meatballs. Instead of tossing the meat in sauce, thin slices of beef are marinated first in a sweet and savory mixture, then quickly seared over high heat until tender and flavorful. It’s this high-heat method that gives bulgogi its name which translates ‘fire meat’.

As it cooks, your kitchen fills with that irresistible Korean BBQ aroma. Serve it in a bulgogi bowl with sticky rice for an easy, restaurant-quality dinner that feels special but is simple enough for a weeknight.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for beef bulgogi including sliced beef, soy sauce, honey, garlic, sesame seeds, and green onions.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Beef: Thinly sliced, using a sharp knife. When slicing it helps if the meat is partially frozen.
  • For the marinade: You’ll need sesame seeds, green onions, garlic, salt, pepper, sesame oil, soy sauce, and sugar.

Best Cut of Beef to Use

I usually use rib eye for bulgogi beef because it’s tender, has wonderful marbling, and great flavor. Sirloin steak, rump steak, or flank steak are other budget-friendly options. Make sure to slice it thin no matter what the cut.

How to Make Korean BBQ Beef Bulgogi

First, toast sesame seeds in an even layer in a skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes until golden brown. Stir constantly as they can burn quickly. Grind or mash to release their nutty aroma and oils.

Toasted sesame seeds warming in a skillet for homemade bulgogi sauce.
Crushing sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle for beef bulgogi marinade.

In a mixing bowl (or Ziploc bag), add crushed seeds and marinade ingredients. Add beef to the bowl and stir to make sure all the beef is covered. Marinate for at least half an hour.

Sweet and savory bulgogi marinade mixed with soy sauce, garlic, green onions, and sesame seeds.
Thinly sliced beef marinating in a sweet and savory bulgogi sauce.

Cook meat in a hot frying pan, on the BBQ, or in the oven for a few minutes per side. Serve with sticky rice and garnish with extra sesame seeds and green onions. Enjoy!

Thin slices of beef bulgogi cooking in a hot skillet until caramelized and tender.

Recipe Tip

  • Add grated apple or Asian pear. Many Korean bulgogi recipes use grated apple or Asian pear for natural sweetness. The gentle acidity also helps tenderize the beef.
  • Cook hot and fast. Cook the beef strips on a grill pan over high heat for 3–4 minutes, or in a skillet on the stove for about 2–3 minutes per side. Bulgogi cooks quickly, so watch it closely.
  • Start with a sizzling pan. Add the beef to a very hot surface to prevent sticking and create those flavorful, lightly charred bits.
  • Serve it your way. Serve bulgogi with potsticker soup or easy coconut rice, plus julienned carrots or your favorite vegetables. Add a side of kimchi, build a bowl, wrap it in lettuce leaves, or serve it with fried rice or noodles.
Beef bulgogi served over white rice, topped with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

More Asian-inspired recipes to try include PF Chang’s lettuce wraps, ground beef and broccoli and egg rolls.

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Cooked beef bulgogi garnished with sesame seeds and green onions on a serving plate.

Easy Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef)

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
This easy bulgogi recipe is tender Korean BBQ beef made with a sweet and savory marinade then cooked quickly on the stove or grill for a flavorful dinner everyone loves.
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound tender beef , sliced very thin

Marinade

  • 1 ½ Tablespoons sesame seeds
  • ¼ cup green onions , chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic , crushed or minced
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 3 Tablespoons sugar

Hot sticky rice, for serving

Instructions

  • Toast Sesame Seeds: Heat a skillet over medium heat, then add 1 1/2 Tablespoons of sesame seeds in an even layer. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes, until they are golden brown and fragrant. They will burn quickly, so keep close watch.
  • Grind Seeds: Grind or mash the toasted sesame seeds.
  • Make Marinade: In a large zip top bag, or mixing bowl, add crushed sesame seeds, 1/4 cup chopped green onions, 3 crushed or minced cloves of garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 Tablespoon sesame oil, 1/4 cup soy sauce and 3 Tablespoons sugar. Mix.
  • Marinade Meat: Add meat to this mixture and make sure the marinade is coating all the beef. Let sit for at least 1/2 hour.
  • Cook Meat: Use one of the following methods to cook meat.
    1) Cook on bbq for 3-4 minutes
    2) Broil in oven, about 3 minutes on each side
    3) Cook in hot frying pan with about 1 Tablespoon oil, in a single layer. Flip once, about 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Serve with hot, sticky rice. Garnish with additional sesame seeds and green onions, if desired.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Tips: Rib eye is a great cut of meat for this, however you can use sirloin for a cheaper cut.  Just make sure you slice it paper thin.  The butcher at the grocery store will usually do this for free while you shop.
Storage: Store cooked bulgogi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Uncooked, marinated beef can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days, or frozen for up to a few weeks in a freezer-safe container.

Nutrition

Calories: 97kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 957mg, Potassium: 73mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 63IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.