I was first introduced to Korean foods when my husband and I were dating. Some of my husband’s family are Korean and they made the yummiest recipes. This recipe is similar to one that I had back in those days. “Easy Korean Beef Bulgogi Bowls Recipe with Rice”
What is Korean beef bulgogi? Bulgogi, means “fire meat”. Bulgogi is thin, marinated slices of beef. The beef is usually stir fried in a hot skillet and then vegetables are added to the beef. With a side dish of rice this is an easy dinner that is delicious.
This recipe can be made keto friendly or low friendly with only a couple small changes, by simply exchanging the white sugar and brown sugar with sugar substitutes and exchange the regular white rice with cauliflower rice. Another great idea is to make these easy Korean beef rice bowls into lettuce wraps and leave out the rice all together. Plus, meal prep would be easy for these Korean bowls, by adding leftovers to airtight containers or a small bowl. Then, the next day add the beef to a bowl of rice.
What is in Korean beef bulgogi? (scroll down for printable recipe card)
The first 8 ingredients are for the beef bulgogi sauce ingredients:
- sesame seed oil
- sesame seeds
- white sugar (sugar substitute for keto-friendly a Korean beef recipe)
- brown sugar (sugar substitute for keto-friendly a Korean beef recipe)
- soy sauce or low sodium soy sauce
- black pepper and salt
- minced garlic or garlic powder
- water
- beef
- avocado oil or olive oil
- yellow onion
- carrots
- green onions
- white rice, brown rice or cauliflower rice
With busy weeknights moms need easy recipes for the dinner table that the whole family, even picky eaters, will love. And, sometimes pleasing everyone is not as easy task. However, with Korean food, the best part is you can choose what kind of meat and vegetables that you would like to add to this crowd pleaser of a meal.
What meat can I use for bulgogi instead of steak?
- lean ground beef
- sliced chicken
- ground turkey
- ground chicken
- ground pork
- any type of ground meat
How do I make Korean beef bulgogi? (scroll down for printable recipe card)
- Take a cutting board and a sharp knife and cut up the beef into thin slices
- Place the slices of beef into a Zip-loc bag
- Gather the stir fry sauce ingredients and add them to a small bowl.
- Once the sauce is combined pour it over the steak and place the Zip-loc bag into the refrigerator
- Marinade the beef for at least 2 hours, the longer the better
- Take a large skillet and place it over medium heat. Add the avocado oil or olive oil and heat up
- Once the oil is hot, add the slices of beef to the hot oil.
- Cook the beef until it is almost fully brown and add the carrots and onions
- Saute until the carrots are soft and tender. All the moisture in the skillet should be evaporated by this time too.
- Once the stir fry is done, take a spoonful of the stir fry and pour over a bed of rice.
Q&A’s
What seasonings can I add to my beef bulgogi recipe? red pepper flakes, fish sauce, hot sauce, splash of rice vinegar and onion powder.
What vegetables can I add to my beef bulgogi recipe? Any of your favorite veggies can be added to this recipe. For example, you can add a bell pepper or a sweet potato to your stir fry. You can also add a fried egg to your bulgogi bowl.
Can I eat leftover Korean beef bulgogi? This easy Korean beef bowl recipe can be eaten the next day if it is properly stored. Simply take the leftover cooked beef and veggies and place them into an airtight container. Then, place the container into the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
What is in Korean ground beef bowls? The only difference between my quick Korean beef bowls and a Korean ground beef recipe is that instead of slices of thin steak you will add ground beef to the recipe.
Is bulgogi Japanese or Korean? Bulgogi is popular in Korean cooking. It is thin slices of beef that are cooked or stir fried in a skillet.
What is bulgogi sauce made of? For the flavors of beef bulgogi to be perfect you will need a sauce made of sesame seed oil, sesame seeds, white sugar, brown sugar, soy sauce, black pepper, salt, minced garlic and water.
Is Korean beef bulgogi keto-friendly? Not unless you substitute the white sugar and the brown sugar with sugar free substitutes. Plus, serve with a side of cauliflower rice instead of white or brown rice.
What meat do I buy for bulgogi? Typically, ribeye steak has the best flavor. However, any type of steak will work in this recipe.
What do Koreans eat with bulgogi? Usually, Bulgogi is served over a bed of rice or a side of rice. Also, bulgogi is served with kimchi or egg soup.
Can bulgogi be eaten cold? Yes, bulgogi can be eaten cold or warm.
Is bulgogi spicy to eat? Bulgogi is sweet and not spicy. However, if you would like some heat to your bulgogi, you can add some red pepper flakes or hot sauce to this recipe.
Why is my bulgogi chewy? If your bulgogi is chewy, it could be two different reasons. The first reason is that you bought a tough piece of beef to make your bulgogi with. I have done this before, but the second reason that your bulgogi could be chewy is that it is overcooked. Overcooking the beef can make it tough and chewy.
Can bulgogi be pink? It is ok for your beef to be pink.
What is Korean beef bulgogi? Bulgogi, means “fire meat”. Bulgogi is thin, marinated slices of beef. The beef is usually stir fried in a hot skillet and then vegetables are added to the beef.
What is the best cut of steak for bulgogi? The best cut of steak for bulgogi is ribeye, however any cut of meat will work for making Korean beef bulgogi.
Korean Beef Bulgogi
Easy dinner meal that the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 2 lb beef, sliced thin
- 1-2 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 medium sized yellow onion
- 2-3 medium sized carrots
- 2 green onions
Marinade
- 1 1/2 tbsp sesame seed oil
- 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 5 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt (optional)
- 1/4 tsp minced garlic
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Take a cutting board and a sharp knife and cut up the beef into thin slices
- Place the slices of beef into a Zip-loc bag
- Gather the stir fry sauce ingredients and add them to a small bowl.
- Once the sauce is combined pour it over the steak and place the Zip-loc bag into the refrigerator
- Marinade the beef for at least 2 hours, the longer the better
- Take a large skillet and place it over medium heat. Add the avocado oil or olive oil and heat up
- Once the oil is hot, add the slices of beef to the hot oil.
- Cook the beef until it is almost fully brown and add the carrots and onions
- Saute until the carrots are soft and tender. All the moisture in the skillet should be evaporated by this time too.
- Once the stir fry is done, take a spoonful of the stir fry and pour over a bed of rice.
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