Easy Bulgogi Ground Beef Recipe
A quick and simple Easy Bulgogi Ground Beef Recipe that transforms ground beef into a flavorful Korean-inspired dish. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, it combines savory, sweet, and umami flavors using simple pantry ingredients and requires under 30 minutes of preparation and cooking time.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3 green onions, chopped
- Optional: 1/4 cup grated Asian pear or apple
- Prepare the Marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper. Mix until the sugar dissolves, creating a smooth and fragrant sauce.
- Marinate the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the marinade, tossing gently to coat evenly. Stir in grated Asian pear or apple if using. Let rest for 10-15 minutes if time allows to tenderize and enhance flavor.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated ground beef (in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding). Stir frequently to break up the meat. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes.
- Finish with Green Onions: Turn off heat and stir in chopped green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more soy sauce or sugar if desired. Serve immediately or store for later use.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and ginger for best flavor.
- Even a short marinating period improves tenderness and flavor.
- Cook over medium-high heat to get slight caramelization without drying the beef.
- Stir frequently to achieve authentic bulgogi texture by breaking the meat into small pieces.
- Adjust the amount of sugar to balance sweetness and savoriness to your liking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: bulgogi, ground beef, Korean recipe, quick dinner, meal prep, easy weeknight meal