Delicious Beef Bulgogi with My Secret Recipe
The Ultimate Homemade Beef Bulgogi Recipe
I’m sharing my personal secret recipe for an incredibly flavorful and rich Beef Bulgogi! It’s a crowd-pleaser loved by all ages, with a tender texture and savory taste that’s perfect as a side dish or for entertaining guests. Follow this recipe, and you’ll achieve a delicious Bulgogi every time!
Main Ingredients- Beef (Bulgogi cut), 1 ‘geun’ (approx. 600g)
- 1 Onion
- 1/2 Pear (for grating)
- 1/2 pack Enoki mushrooms
- 1 Green onion
Special Marinade- Soy sauce, 1 ladleful (approx. 80ml)
- Cooking wine (like Mirin), 3 tsp
- Minced garlic, 2 tsp
- Plum extract (Maesilcheong), 3 tsp
- Corn syrup or honey, 1 tsp (adjust sweetness)
- Soy sauce, 1 ladleful (approx. 80ml)
- Cooking wine (like Mirin), 3 tsp
- Minced garlic, 2 tsp
- Plum extract (Maesilcheong), 3 tsp
- Corn syrup or honey, 1 tsp (adjust sweetness)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel half of the pear and grate it finely. The sweet pear juice will help tenderize the beef beautifully.
Step 2
Place the grated pear into a clean bowl.
Step 3
Add 2 teaspoons of minced garlic to the bowl. Garlic’s aroma will deepen the flavor of the marinade.
Step 4
Pour in 1 ladleful of soy sauce (approximately 80ml). You can adjust the amount of soy sauce to your taste.
Step 5
Prepare 1 onion. Feel free to adjust the amount of onion according to your preference. (Original note: ‘I like onions, so I use one, but half is okay too.’ Using a whole onion adds more flavor.)
Step 6
Combine the grated pear, minced garlic, soy sauce, and sliced onion in the bowl. Mix everything together well to create the marinade.
Step 7
For marinating the beef, it’s best to spread a thin layer of marinade at the bottom of an airtight container, then layer the beef on top, followed by more marinade, and repeat. This ensures the beef is evenly coated and flavors are deeply infused. If you’re in a hurry, you can simply toss the beef with the marinade in a bowl. However, be gentle as the thin slices of beef can tear easily.
Step 8
Here’s a look at the marinated Bulgogi, ready to be cooked. Doesn’t it look appetizing?
Step 9
Finally, grate the remaining half pear and place it on top of the marinated beef, or mix it in with everything. Cover the container and let the Bulgogi marinate in the refrigerator for at least one day. This marination process is key to achieving tender meat and a deeply savory flavor.
Step 10
Now it’s time to cook the marinated Bulgogi. Heat a pan over high heat and add the beef. Start with high heat to sear the meat and lock in the juices, then reduce to medium heat once the meat starts cooking to ensure it cooks through evenly.
Step 11
As the beef cooks, it will release juices. Continue to stir-fry until well cooked. At this stage, you can also add ingredients like glass noodles, rice cakes, or shredded carrots for a richer dish.
Step 12
Trim the roots of the enoki mushrooms, separate the strands, and add them to the pan with the Bulgogi.
Step 13
Stir-fry everything together until the enoki mushrooms are tender and well combined with the beef. The mushrooms add a wonderful aroma and texture.
Step 14
And there you have it – delicious Beef Bulgogi is ready! Enjoy it with a side of hot steamed rice!
