Description
This Ground Beef Bulgogi recipe is a quick and flavorful Korean-inspired dish featuring lean ground beef marinated in a savory-sweet sauce with soy, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Perfect for a fast weeknight meal, it cooks up beautifully in a skillet and is delicious served over rice or wrapped in lettuce leaves.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 small pear (optional), grated
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil until smooth to combine all the key flavors for the bulgogi sauce.
- Marinate the Beef: Add the ground beef to the marinade and mix thoroughly so every piece is evenly coated, then let it sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Cook: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the marinated beef. Sauté the meat for about 8-10 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks, until it is browned and cooked through.
- Finish: Stir in the chopped green onions during the last few minutes of cooking for freshness and added texture. Serve the bulgogi hot over steamed rice or wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves for a delicious meal.
Notes
- If you prefer, substitute the optional grated pear with apple for a slightly different sweetness and tenderizing effect.
- Use lean ground beef to keep the dish healthier and prevent excess grease during cooking.
- Letting the beef marinate longer, up to 2 hours, will deepen the flavor.
- Serve with steamed rice, kimchi, and pickled vegetables to complete an authentic Korean meal experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
