Best 5 Authentic Korean Bulgogi Recipes

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Bulgogi is a quintessential Korean dish that has gained immense popularity worldwide. It consists of thin, marinated slices of beef or pork that are grilled or pan-fried. The Bulgogi marinade typically includes soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and a variety of other ingredients, resulting in a savory and slightly sweet flavor. Bulgogi is often served with rice, vegetables, and a dipping sauce. This article presents a collection of authentic Korean Bulgogi recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish.

The first recipe is for a traditional Bulgogi made with beef. This recipe uses a combination of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and Asian pear to create a flavorful marinade. The beef is then grilled or pan-fried until tender and slightly caramelized. The second recipe is for a spicy Bulgogi made with pork. This recipe incorporates gochujang (Korean chili paste) and gochugaru (Korean chili powder) into the marinade, resulting in a bold and fiery flavor. The pork is grilled or pan-fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The third recipe is for a vegetarian Bulgogi made with tofu. This recipe uses a marinade made with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil to create a savory and umami-rich flavor. The tofu is then grilled or pan-fried until golden brown and slightly crispy.

These three Bulgogi recipes offer a diverse range of flavors and textures, ensuring that there is a perfect recipe for every taste preference. Whether you are a fan of traditional Bulgogi, spicy Bulgogi, or vegetarian Bulgogi, this article has you covered.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

BULGOGI (KOREAN BBQ BEEF)



Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef) image

How to make the most delicious bulgogi (Korean BBQ beef) from scratch. Don't forget to read my best cooking tips from above!

Provided by Sue | My Korean Kitchen

Categories     Main

Time 4h20m

Number Of Ingredients 15

800 g rib eye ((1.76 pounds) or top sirloin (or any tender prime beef cut), thinly sliced, 2mm to 3mm (1/8 inch) thickness)
1 onion ((130 g / 4.6 ounces), optional, peeled & thinly sliced)
2 stalks green onion ((55 g / 2 ounces), optional, thinly sliced)
1/2 carrot ((55 g / 2 ounces), optional, peeled & thinly sliced)
1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
1 Tbsp cooking oil ((I used rice bran oil))
6 Tbsp soy sauce ((I use regular Kikkoman soy sauce))
3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp rice wine ((mirin))
1 red apple (or asian pear (155 g / 5.5 ounces))
1/2 onion ((80 g / 2.8 ounces))
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp minced ginger
1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Blend the marinade ingredients in a mixer or food processor until smooth. Set aside.
  • Place the thinly sliced meat in a mixing bowl and pour the marinade over it. Mix them well together while gently massaging the meat with your hands. (Wearing a food prep glove is very handy here!)Add the sesame oil and mix it into the meat. (I prefer adding the sesame oil separately as opposed to mixing it in the marinade sauce. I read somewhere that the oil can prevent the other sauce getting absorbed effectively into the meat.)Cover the bowl with cling wrap (or move the marinated meat into a glass container with a lid) and marinate the meat for at least 4 hours in the fridge. (If you have more time, you can also marinate it overnight to deepen the flavour even more).
  • Preheat a skillet / bbq grill on medium high heat until well heated. Add the cooking oil and spread it well. Add the meat (and vegetables) and cook it on medium high to high heat for 3 to 5 mins (until the meat and vegetables cook to your desired doneness). Toss in the sesame seeds and stir them quickly.
  • Serve the bulgogi with steamed rice and other Korean side dishes. (refer above for more tips)

Nutrition Facts : Calories 436 kcal, Carbohydrate 18 g, Protein 47 g, Fat 17 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Cholesterol 122 mg, Sodium 1633 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 13 g, ServingSize 1 serving

AUTHENTIC KOREAN BULGOGI



Authentic Korean Bulgogi image

This is the Korean Bul-Go-Gi recipe I've learned from my mother who lives in Korea. I've made this dish many times and got raves every time. Yummy!

Provided by Minyoung

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Korean

Time 3h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 ½ pounds beef top sirloin, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons white cooking wine
1 cup pear juice
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 tablespoons Asian (toasted) sesame oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
½ pound fresh mushrooms, halved
½ onion, chopped

Steps:

  • Place the beef in a bowl, and pour in the cooking wine, pear juice, and black pepper. Stir to combine, and allow to marinate for 30 minutes. Stir in the soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, green onion, and sesame seeds, and marinate in refrigerator at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat.
  • Remove the beef from the marinade, and discard the marinade. Place a sheet of aluminum foil on the heated grill, and lay the beef slices separately on the foil. Place the mushrooms and onion on another part of the foil. Cook the beef slices until they are evenly brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Serve with cooked mushrooms and onion.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 374.8 calories, Carbohydrate 19.2 g, Cholesterol 73.6 mg, Fat 18.1 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 33.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.1 g, Sodium 1018.3 mg, Sugar 14.5 g

BEEF BULGOGI



Beef Bulgogi image

Just like my Korean mom makes it! It's delicious! Even better if rolled up in red leaf lettuce with rice and hot pepper paste. If you want to spice it up just add red pepper powder to your marinade.

Provided by Tenny Sharp

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Korean

Time 1h15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced
5 tablespoons soy sauce
2 ½ tablespoons white sugar
¼ cup chopped green onion
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons sesame oil
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Place the beef in a shallow dish. Combine soy sauce, sugar, green onion, garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, and ground black pepper in a small bowl. Pour over beef. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil the grate.
  • Quickly grill beef on hot grill until slightly charred and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes per side.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 231.7 calories, Carbohydrate 12.4 g, Cholesterol 27.2 mg, Fat 13.2 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 16.2 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 1157.4 mg, Sugar 8.3 g

EASY BULGOGI (KOREAN BBQ BEEF)



Easy Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef) image

Most Bulgogi recipes call for crushed pear. This is for tenderizing the meat. My boyfriend's Korean mother says Coca-Cola® can also be used for the same purpose. This recipe uses very thin-sliced meat so tenderization isn't necessary. Sugar is used instead.

Provided by KDC860

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Korean

Time 1h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

¼ yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 green onions, chopped, dark green parts separated from white and light green parts
⅓ cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sesame oil
¼ teaspoon Korean red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon minced fresh ginger
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 ½ pounds beef sirloin steak, cut very thin using kitchen shears
1 teaspoon honey, or to taste

Steps:

  • Combine yellow onion, white and light green parts of green onions, soy sauce, sugar, sesame seeds, garlic, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, ginger, and black pepper in a bowl until marinade is well mixed. Add steak slices to marinade; cover and refrigerate, 1 hour to 1 day.
  • Heat a skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, cook and stir steak and marinade together in the hot skillet, adding honey to caramelize the steak, until steak is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Garnish bulgogi with green parts of green onions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 226.1 calories, Carbohydrate 10.9 g, Cholesterol 49 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 21.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.9 g, Sodium 844.2 mg, Sugar 8.1 g

AUTHENTIC KOREAN BULGOGI



Authentic Korean Bulgogi image

"This is the Korean Bul-Go-Gi recipe I've learned from my mother who lives in Korea. I've made this dish many times and got rave reviews every time. YUMMY!" says Minyoung.

Provided by ElizabethKnicely

Categories     Steak

Time 3h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 lbs top sirloin steaks, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons white wine
1 cup pear juice
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 tablespoons asian toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1/2 lb fresh mushrooms, halved (optional)
1/2 onion, chopped (optional)

Steps:

  • Place the beef in a bowl, and pour in the cooking wine, pear juice, and black pepper. Stir to combine, and allow to marinate for 30 minutes. Stir in the soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, green onion, and sesame seeds, and marinate in refrigerator at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat.
  • Remove the beef from the marinade, and discard the marinade. Place a sheet of aluminum foil on the heated grill, and lay the beef slices separately on the foil. Place the mushrooms and onion on another part of the foil. Cook the beef slices until they are evenly brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Serve with cooked mushrooms and onion.
  • FOOTNOTES:.
  • COOK'S NOTES:.
  • You can substitute 2 shredded fresh pears fro the pear juice.
  • For better taste, soak beef in cold water for a couple of hours. Change water occasionally.
  • OPTIONAL: Serve with a handful of Korean sweet-potato noodles. If pan-frying the beef, you can add 1/2 cup of beef broth to make a sauce to go over rice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 107.4, Fat 8, SaturatedFat 1.1, Sodium 1007.1, Carbohydrate 6.2, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 3.6, Protein 2.5

Tips:

  • Use high-quality beef: Bulgogi is a dish that is best made with high-quality beef. Look for beef that is well-marbled and has a good amount of fat. This will help the beef to stay tender and juicy when it is cooked.
  • Slice the beef thinly: The beef for bulgogi should be sliced thinly, against the grain. This will help the beef to cook evenly and quickly.
  • Marinate the beef: The beef for bulgogi should be marinated for at least 30 minutes, but preferably overnight. This will help the beef to absorb the flavors of the marinade and make it more tender.
  • Cook the beef over high heat: Bulgogi is traditionally cooked over high heat. This will help to sear the beef and give it a nice caramelized flavor.
  • Serve the bulgogi with a variety of side dishes: Bulgogi is often served with a variety of side dishes, such as rice, lettuce wraps, and kimchi. This helps to create a balanced and flavorful meal.

Conclusion:

Bulgogi is a delicious and versatile Korean dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great dish to serve at a party or potluck, or it can be enjoyed as a simple weeknight meal. With its flavorful marinade and tender, juicy beef, bulgogi is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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