Authentic Beef Bulgogi (Easy Korean BBQ Recipe!)
A classic Korean Bulgogi recipe featuring thinly sliced beef tenderloin in a savory-sweet marinade. The beef is first partially frozen for easy, thin slicing across the grain, then marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, scallions, and garlic. The marinated beef is quickly grilled or pan-seared until browned. It’s served with a side of crisp-tender carrots and snow peas that are stir-fried with fresh ginger and garlic, all garnished with toasted sesame seeds.
Ingredients
- For the Marinade and Beef:
- 1 pound boneless beef tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 3 scallions, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- For the Vegetables:
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced on the diagonal
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 pound snow peas
- Boiled white rice, for serving
Instructions
- Wrap the beef in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer until firm but not frozen solid (about 30-45 minutes). This will make it easier to slice.
- Once firm, thinly slice the beef across the grain and place it in a baking dish.
- In a small, dry skillet, toast the sesame seeds over medium heat until fragrant.
- Make the Marinade: In a small bowl, combine the chopped scallions, 2 minced garlic cloves, vinegar, 1 1/2 tablespoons of water, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and pepper. Stir well.
- Pour the marinade over the sliced beef and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Cook the Vegetables: In a separate large skillet or wok, heat the oil. Add the minced ginger and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add the carrots and 1/4 cup of water. Simmer for about 2 minutes, until the carrots are tender-crisp. Add the snow peas and simmer for another 2 minutes until tender. Set the vegetables aside.
- Cook the Beef: Remove the beef from the marinade. Grill or sear in a hot skillet in batches for about 30 seconds per side, until the edges are brown.
- Combine the cooked beef with the stir-fried vegetables. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and serve with boiled white rice.
Notes
- Partially freezing the beef is a key technique that allows you to slice it very thinly, which is characteristic of Bulgogi.
- Slicing the beef across the grain is important for ensuring the final product is tender.
- The beef is cooked very quickly over high heat, so have all your other components ready.
Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/authentic-beef-bulgogi/