Tender and Flavorful Bulgogi: The Ultimate Korean Beef Recipe
Tender and Flavorful Bulgogi: The Ultimate Korean Beef Recipe
How to Make Delicious Bulgogi (Korean Marinated Beef)
Bulgogi, a universally loved Korean dish, is perfect for any meal. Let’s create a mouthwatering version that’s incredibly tender and packed with sweet and savory flavors. This recipe is designed for ease and deliciousness, ensuring a fantastic dining experience for everyone.
Main Ingredients- 500g Beef (thinly sliced, bulgogi cut)
- 1/2 Onion (thinly sliced)
- 30g Carrot (approx. 1/4 medium, julienned thinly)
- 1 Green Onion (sliced diagonally)
- 1/2 – 1 Enoki Mushroom (trimmed and separated)
Marinade Ingredients- 1/6 Pear (peeled, seeded, and pureed)
- 1/4 Onion (finely grated or pureed)
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 6 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Pinch of Grated Ginger (or ginger powder)
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 1/6 Pear (peeled, seeded, and pureed)
- 1/4 Onion (finely grated or pureed)
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 6 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Pinch of Grated Ginger (or ginger powder)
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Gently pat the beef slices with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture. Removing the blood will help ensure a cleaner taste and prevent any gamey odors.
Step 2
In a blender or using a grater, puree the pear and the 1/4 onion with a splash of mirin. In a bowl, combine this puree with all the other marinade ingredients: soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, corn syrup, mirin, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined to create your delicious bulgogi marinade.
Step 3
Cut the beef into pieces slightly larger than bite-sized. If the pieces are too small, they might break apart during cooking. Place the beef in the prepared marinade and gently massage it in to ensure every piece is coated. Let the beef marinate for at least 30 minutes. For an even richer flavor, you can marinate it in the refrigerator for an hour or longer.
Step 4
Prepare your vegetables. Slice the 1/2 onion into thick strips (about 0.5 cm). Cut the green onion diagonally into 2-inch pieces. Julienne the carrot thinly. For the enoki mushrooms, trim off the base, rinse gently under running water, and then separate the strands with your fingers.
Step 5
Heat a large, wide skillet or wok over high heat. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry quickly, ensuring the pieces don’t stick together. Keep the heat high and cook until the beef is about 80% done, or just starting to brown.
Step 6
When the beef is approximately 80% cooked, add the sliced onions and julienned carrots to the pan. Continue to stir-fry. The moisture released from the vegetables will help tenderize the beef further.
Step 7
Once the onions become translucent and slightly softened, add the diagonally sliced green onions. Stir-fry for another minute until the green onions are fragrant and just tender.
Step 8
When all ingredients are cooked through, add the enoki mushrooms. Enoki mushrooms cook very quickly, so stir-fry for just about 30 seconds to a minute. Turn off the heat and let the residual heat finish cooking them – this keeps them delightfully crisp. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving. Enjoy your homemade bulgogi with a side of hot steamed rice!
