Easy Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef)

Bulgogi, or Korean barbecued beef, is made with marinated sliced beef. Most recipes call for crushed pear to tenderize the meat. My boyfriend's Korean mother says Coca-Cola can also be used for the same purpose. This recipe uses very thinly-sliced sirloin steak, so tenderization isn't necessary. It's delicious served with rice, lettuce leaves, and chile paste or kimchi.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Calories: 226 Calories

Ingredients

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

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Whisk soy sauce, white and light green parts of green onions, yellow onion, sugar, garlic, sesame seeds, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, ginger, and black pepper together in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Add steak slices and toss to evenly coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or up to 1 day.

Step 2

Heat a wok or large 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 dark green parts of green onions.