If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful, and restaurant-quality Korean dish, this Beef Bulgogi recipe is the perfect choice. Bulgogi, which means “fire meat” in Korean, is made by marinating thinly sliced beef in a sweet and savory sauce before cooking it over high heat. The combination of soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, honey, and fresh pear creates incredibly tender, juicy beef packed with rich umami flavor.
This easy homemade Beef Bulgogi comes together with simple ingredients and cooks in just a few minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners. Serve it over steamed rice, wrap it in lettuce leaves, or pair it with your favorite Korean side dishes for a complete meal the whole family will love.
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Easy Beef Bulgogi (Korean Marinated Beef)
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- 2 medium onions
- 4 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 medium pears
For the Beef
- 450 g ribeye beef thinly sliced
- 2 medium white onions sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garnish
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Peel and roughly chop the onions, garlic, and pears.
- Add the onions, garlic, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, brown sugar, black pepper, and pears to a blender.
- Blend until smooth to make the marinade.
- Place the thinly sliced ribeye beef and sliced white onions into a large bowl.
- Pour the prepared marinade over the beef.
- Mix thoroughly until every slice is coated.
- Marinate for 2 hours for the best flavor. (You can cook immediately if short on time.)
- Drain any excess liquid from the marinated beef before cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat.
- Add the marinated beef and cook for 6–7 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned and cooked through.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve hot with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.
Notes
Asian pears are traditional, but regular ripe pears also work well.
Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
High heat helps caramelize the marinade for authentic bulgogi flavor.
Leftover bulgogi can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.