I provide two different ways to make Beef Bulgogi. The first is a 30 minute meal using ground beef while the other takes a little longer allowing thinly sliced sirloin to marinate but still requiring minimal effort. Either way you make it, this meal is healthy, delicious and you will not be slaving away in the kitchen. It's gingery, sweet, tangy and full of flavor.
How to make Beef Bulgogi:
Either way you make this recipe, they both start off with a super simple marinade that is prepared right in the blender.
If you are using ground beef, the beef is browned and then the flavorful marinade is poured over top and cooked for another 15 minutes. Serve with your favorite vegetables for a quick and healthy meal that takes less than 30 minutes.
If you are using thinly sliced beef, the beef is marinated for a minimum of 4 hours and up to overnight for full flavor. The beef is then cooked in a hot pan until brown and crispy. Add the yellow onion, toss together and serve with vegetables.
What to serve with this dish:
- Roasted baby boy choy
- Roasted or steamed broccoli
- Cauliflower or sweet potato 'rice'
- Sautéed carrots, zucchini and summer squash
Looking for more easy Asian recipes? Make sure to check out this Spicy Thai Basil Pork or Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Both are perfect for when you need a quick and easy week night dinner.
Beef Bulgogi
Ingredients
- 1 # ground beef OR steak such as sirlion or boneless rib eye (some stores offer steak already thinnly sliced)
- ⅓ cup coconut aminos
- 2 large dates, pitted
- ½ inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled (about 1 tablespoon)
- 3 large cloves of garlic
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp hot sauce such as Sriracha
- ¼ tsp salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- ½ yellow onion, small diced (about ½ cup)
- A pinch of sesame seeds for on top (optional)
- Chopped scallion for on top (optional)
Instructions
If using ground beef:
- Combine the coconut aminos, pitted dates, fresh ginger, garlic cloves, apple cider vinegar, toasted sesame oil, hot sauce, salt and the black pepper in a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside while you brown the beef.
- In a large saute pan, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat. Once the beef is browned, add the diced yellow onion and cook for another 2 minutes or until the onion starts to soften. Add the beef bulgogi sauce to the ground beef and bring to a low boil. Cook for 10-15 minutes on low to allow the beef to take on all the flavors.
- Once the beef and sauce have cooked together, serve with your favorite sides and sprinkle chopped scallions and sesame seeds on top. Enjoy!
If using steak:
- Cut the steak into very thin strips. If you have bought beef that was precut, skip this step. Once the beef is cut, place into either a glass dish or a plastic bag and set aside while you make the marinade.
- Combine the coconut aminos, pitted dates, fresh ginger, garlic cloves, apple cider vinegar, toasted sesame oil, hopt sauce, salt and the black pepper in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the marinade over top of the thinnly cut beef and toss to make sure all the beef is coated. Place the beef in the refridgerator and allow to marinate for a minimum of 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
- Once the beef has is done marinating, get a large saute pan hot with some olive or avocado oil and brown the beef a couple pieces at a time. Don't over crowd the pan or the beef will not get cispy. Continue to brown in batches until all the beef is brown and crispy. At the end, add the chopped yellow onion and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite sides and sprinkle chopped scallions and sesame seeds on top. Enjoy!
What are coconut aminoes / I,ve never heard of them before !
Coconut aminos are a soy sauce alternative. They are made from coconuts and have a slightly sweet flavor