As a busy parent, I often crave Korean barbecue’s rich flavors. But slicing and marinating beef can be hard on weeknights. That’s why I love this ground beef bulgogi recipe. It’s quick and tastes just like traditional bulgogi.
This recipe uses just 2.2 lb (1kg) of ground beef. It serves 6-7 people, perfect for family dinners or meal prep. The marinade is key, with soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, and oyster sauce. It makes the meat taste like Korean BBQ. And it’s ready in about 30 minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Quick and easy ground beef bulgogi recipe for busy weeknights
- Serves 6-7 people with 2.2 lb (1kg) of ground beef
- Savory-sweet marinade captures the essence of traditional Korean BBQ
- Cooks in approximately 12 minutes for a fast, flavorful meal
- Versatile recipe that can be meal prepped or frozen for later
Introduction to Korean Bulgogi: A Beloved BBQ Dish
Korean beef bulgogi recipe is a favorite BBQ dish in Korea. It’s made with thinly sliced beef, like top sirloin or ribeye. The meat is marinated in a mix of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and spices.
Traditional vs Ground Beef Bulgogi
The traditional marinated beef bulgogi is tasty but takes time. It needs precise meat cutting. The ground beef version is quicker and easier to make.
Using ground beef makes the dish simpler to prepare. It keeps the flavors of the original but is faster to cook.
Why This Recipe Works for Home Cooking
The ground beef bulgogi marinade recipe is great for home cooks. It’s quick to make, perfect for weeknights or casual parties. Ground beef is also cheaper and easier to find than steak.
“This bulgogi recipe is a game-changer for home cooks. It captures the essence of traditional Korean BBQ while streamlining the process for a delicious and hassle-free meal.”
Essential Ingredients for Authentic Ground Beef Bulgogi Recipe
To make a tasty ground beef bulgogi at home, you need the right ingredients. The beef bulgogi sauce and bulgogi marinade ingredients are key. Let’s look at what makes your homemade dish authentic.
Choose lean ground beef, like an 85/15 or 90/10 mix, for less fat. The sauce has soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and more. These mix together for a savory, sweet, and umami taste.
Garlic and ginger add a strong flavor. Grated apple adds sweetness and fruitiness to the bulgogi marinade.
You’ll also need yellow onion, green onion, and carrot for color and texture. Serve with white rice, broccoli, and sesame seeds. Kimchi is a great side for a true Korean taste.
| Ingredient | Frequency of Use |
|---|---|
| Soy Sauce | Essential for the savory base |
| Brown Sugar | Adds sweetness and helps caramelize the meat |
| Rice Wine (Mirin) | Adds a subtle sweetness and depth |
| Minced Garlic | Essential for providing an aromatic punch |
| Grated Apple | Provides sweetness and fruitiness |
| Minced Ginger | Used for flavor enhancement |
With these ingredients, you can make a delicious beef bulgogi recipe at home.
The Perfect Bulgogi Marinade: Key Components
Making the perfect beef bulgogi recipe is key to getting the real taste of Korean BBQ. The marinade mixes sweet and savory flavors. It turns regular ground beef into a special dish.
Balancing Sweet and Savory Flavors
The beef bulgogi sauce has soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, oyster sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and black pepper. These ingredients blend sweet, salty, and umami tastes. They are what make Korean food so unique.
Marinade Timing and Tips
- For the best taste, marinate the ground beef for at least 15 minutes. Or, even better, overnight in the fridge.
- The longer it marinates, the more flavors it absorbs.
- Use rib eye or top sirloin for beef bulgogi. They get very tender from the marinade.
Storage of Marinade
You can make the beef bulgogi marinade ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. If you don’t use all the beef, you can store it in the fridge or freezer. This way, you always have the marinade ready for your next meal.
“The key to authentic Korean bulgogi lies in the marinade. The balance of sweet, savory, and umami flavors is what makes this dish so irresistible.”
Preparation and Cooking Equipment Needed
Making tasty bulgogi, a favorite Korean dish, at home is easy. You don’t need special tools. Just the right equipment makes cooking fun and efficient. Here’s what you need for your easy bulgogi recipe:
- A large mixing bowl for marinating the bulgogi beef
- A sharp knife for thinly slicing the beef and chopping the vegetables
- A large wok or heavy-duty skillet for searing and cooking the bulgogi
- A rice cooker for preparing the perfect accompaniment of steamed white rice
- Microwave-safe containers for meal prepping and storing leftovers
Using traditional sliced beef for bulgogi? A freezer helps chill the meat for thin slices. For a smoky taste, try grilling the bulgogi instead of cooking it on the stovetop.
| Featured Kitchen Equipment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Zwilling Enfinigy Power Blender – Black | For blending the marinade ingredients |
| Great Jones Holy Sheet | Large baking sheet for cooking the bulgogi |
| Chef’s Knife | Slicing the beef and chopping vegetables |
| reBoard Cutting Board | Providing a sturdy surface for food preparation |
| Zwilling Madura Plus Non-Stick Fry Pan | Cooking the bulgogi on the stovetop |
With these tools, you’re ready to make delicious beef bulgogi recipe at home. Let’s start cooking!
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Start by freezing the ground beef for 1-2 hours. This makes it easier to chop. Use a sharp knife to cut the beef into small pieces, cutting against the grain for tenderness.
Cooking Techniques for Best Results
In a large wok or skillet, sauté the onions until they’re translucent. Add the marinated ground beef and spread it out. Let it brown and caramelize, flipping and breaking it into smaller pieces as it cooks.
This should take about 12 minutes. Make sure the beef is cooked through with no pink left.
Visual Cues for Doneness
Watch the ground beef closely as it cooks. Look for a nice caramelized browning on the outside. The color should change from pink to grayish-brown inside.
When you see these signs, your ground beef bulgogi is ready. Stir in chopped green onions and toasted sesame oil for extra flavor. Serve it warm with fluffy white rice and Korean banchan side dishes.
Serving Suggestions and Side Dishes
There are many ways to serve your ground beef bulgogi. A classic Korean meal is to serve it over steaming hot rice. This lets the flavorful beef be the main attraction.
Adding Korean side dishes, or banchan, can enhance your meal. Some great choices include:
- Crisp kimchi, the famous fermented cabbage
- Sautéed or blanched vegetables like broccoli or spinach
- Tangy pickled radish
- Savory Korean pancakes (pajeon)
- Light seaweed salad
For a low-carb option, serve the bulgogi in lettuce wraps. Add green onions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch.
Try a bulgogi rice bowl for another tasty idea. Layer the beef, rice, veggies, and your favorite sauces. It’s a dish you can make your own.
| Side Dish | Flavor Profile | Serving Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Kimchi | Tangy, spicy, and slightly sour | Serve as a traditional accompaniment to the bulgogi |
| Steamed rice | Neutral, fluffy base | Serve the bulgogi over hot, steamed rice |
| Japchae | Sweet, savory, and contrasting textures | Offer as a complementary Korean noodle dish |
| Pickled radish | Tangy, slightly sweet, and crunchy | Provide as a refreshing palate cleanser |
Meal Prep and Storage Guidelines
Ground beef bulgogi is great for meal prep. Divide the cooked bulgogi and rice into microwave-safe containers. Add veggies like broccoli or carrots for a balanced meal. These containers can stay in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for months.
Proper Storage Methods
To keep your bulgogi leftovers tasty, cool the dish first. Then, put the bulgogi and rice in airtight containers or bags. This keeps the rice from getting soggy and the bulgogi from drying out.
Reheating Instructions
For reheating your bulgogi meal prep, the microwave is best. Remove the lid if you have one. Heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway, until everything is hot. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Enjoy refrigerated bulgogi within 3 days for the best taste.
“Properly storing and reheating bulgogi leftovers ensures you can enjoy the delicious Korean BBQ flavors for days to come.”
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
The easy bulgogi recipe in this article is a tasty twist on Korean beef bulgogi. It uses ground beef, but you can change it up for different tastes and diets.
Want a closer taste to the real thing? Try using thinly sliced beef like top sirloin, ribeye, or skirt steak. Or, go for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
For those who don’t eat meat, don’t worry. You can use firm tofu or plant-based meat instead of beef. This way, everyone can enjoy the dish.
Feel free to play with the marinade’s sweetness. You can add more sugar or try honey or maple syrup. For a spicy twist, add gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes). Also, add different veggies like bell peppers or zucchini to make it healthier and more interesting.
These options let you make the beef bulgogi recipe your own. This way, everyone can enjoy this tasty Korean BBQ dish at home.
Conclusion
Ground beef bulgogi is a quick way to enjoy Korean flavors at home. It’s easy to make and can be tailored to fit your diet. This ground beef bulgogi recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep.
It’s a mix of sweet and savory, with a simple cooking method. This makes easy bulgogi a hit in many homes. It brings Korean beef bulgogi to your table with little effort.
Using ground beef saves time compared to traditional bulgogi. It cooks faster, ideal for busy nights. The marinade, with soy sauce, brown sugar, and spices, can be made ahead of time.
This dish is versatile, great for rice bowls, lettuce wraps, or tacos. You can also make it healthier by using leaner beef and less sugar. Ground beef bulgogi is a tasty way to discover Korean cuisine, perfect for meal prep, family dinners, and trying new flavors.
FAQ
What is ground beef bulgogi?
Ground beef bulgogi is a quick and easy version of Korean BBQ. It uses 2.2 lb (1kg) of ground beef. It’s great for meal prep or family dinners.
What are the key ingredients in ground beef bulgogi?
The main ingredients are ground beef, soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. You also need oyster sauce, minced garlic, toasted sesame oil, and black pepper. Optional MSG can add more umami flavor.
How do you make the bulgogi marinade?
Mix soy sauce, sugar, mirin, oyster sauce, minced garlic, sesame oil, and black pepper. This blend creates a sweet and savory flavor.
How long should you marinate the ground beef?
Marinate the ground beef for at least 15 minutes. Overnight marinating is even better. The marinade can be made ahead and refrigerated.
What equipment is needed to prepare ground beef bulgogi?
You’ll need a large mixing bowl for marinating and a sharp knife for veggies. A large wok or pan is essential for cooking. A rice cooker is also good for rice.
How do you cook ground beef bulgogi?
Mix the beef with the marinade. Sauté onions in a large wok or pan until they’re translucent. Then, add the marinated beef. Cook for about 12 minutes until the beef is fully cooked.
How do you serve ground beef bulgogi?
Serve it over hot steamed rice. Add side dishes like blanched broccoli, sautéed veggies, or kimchi for a full Korean meal.
Can you meal prep ground beef bulgogi?
Yes, it’s perfect for meal prep. Divide cooked bulgogi and rice into containers. Add broccoli as a barrier. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for months.
Can you substitute the ground beef in this recipe?
Yes, you can use ground turkey or chicken for a healthier option. For vegetarians, firm tofu or meat substitutes work well.