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White tray with cooked pieces of thinly sliced beef, green onions and sesame seeds.

Easy Beef Bulgogi {Korean BBQ Beef}

Yield: 5 to 6 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Marinating Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

Marinade:

  • ¼ cup soy sauce (see note)
  • 3 tablespoons granulated or brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 2 green onions or a handful of chives, minced (about 3 to 4 tablespoons)

Beef:

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless top sirloin, ribeye or skirt steak, thinly sliced into 1/8-inch pieces (see note)
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • Hot, cooked rice and sautéed or roasted veggies, for serving (optional)

Instructions 

  • Combine all the marinade ingredients together and whisk until well combined.
  • Place the beef in a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the meat and toss to combine until the beef is evenly coated with the marinade. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to 12 hours (the longer it marinates, the better the flavor).
  • Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of oil and heat until rippling and hot. (You can also use a BBQ grill to cook the meat.)
  • Add the beef in a single layer (don't crowd the pan) and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until the beef is caramelized and cooked through. Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining beef.
  • Serve immediately with hot, cooked rice and veggies, if desired.

Notes

Beef: to easily cut super thin slices of beef, freeze the beef for 20-30 minutes before slicing.
Soy sauce: I always use low-sodium soy sauce; regular soy sauce can be used in this recipe for saltier punch.