Spoon Simple
Homemade Bulgogi
Thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet-savory soy sauce with pear, garlic, and sesame — grilled or pan-seared until caramelized. The crown jewel of Korean BBQ at home.
Prep 20 min
Cook 15 min
Total 35 min
Serves 4
Ingredients
Step 1 — Marinate the beef
- 1.5 lbs ribeye or sirloin (thinly sliced)
- ½ Asian pear or apple (grated)
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 green onions (sliced)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Step 2 — Cook and serve
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Sesame seeds
- Steamed white rice
- Lettuce leaves (for wrapping)
- Ssamjang or gochujang (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Marinate
Combine beef with pear, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, green onions, and pepper. Massage gently and marinate at least 30 minutes (up to overnight in the refrigerator).
- 2
Cook the bulgogi
Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill pan over high heat. Add oil and cook beef in a single layer in batches, 1–2 minutes per side, until caramelized and cooked through.
- 3
Serve
Garnish with sesame seeds and extra green onions. Serve with steamed rice, lettuce wraps, and ssamjang for a classic Korean BBQ spread.
Nutrition per serving: 420 cal · 38g protein · 18g carbs · 22g fat · 1g fiber
For informational purposes only. Not medical or dietary advice. Verify ingredients for allergens, cooking times, and safe internal temperatures before serving.
