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Savory Korean Beef Bulgogi Recipe Easy Homemade with Sweet Caramelized Onions

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A quick and easy Korean beef bulgogi recipe featuring tender marinated beef and sweet caramelized onions, perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) thinly sliced beef ribeye or sirloin
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine or mirin (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or neutral oil
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
  • Steamed white rice or sticky rice (to serve)
  • Chopped green onions (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds, toasted (for garnish)
  • Kimchi or pickled vegetables (optional side)

Instructions

  1. Thinly slice the yellow onions. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter or oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes until the onions turn golden brown and sweetly caramelized. Optionally, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sugar halfway through to speed up caramelization, watching closely to avoid burning. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. While onions cook, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice wine (if using), black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add the thinly sliced beef and toss well to coat all pieces evenly. Cover and marinate for at least 15 minutes, ideally 30 minutes for more flavor.
  3. Heat a clean skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef in a single layer (cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding). Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through but still tender. Avoid overcooking.
  4. Return the caramelized onions to the pan with the cooked beef. Gently toss to mix and warm everything together for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Serve the beef and onions over warm steamed rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Add kimchi or pickled vegetables on the side if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari. To avoid sugar, use honey in the marinade. Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking beef to ensure proper searing. Caramelize onions slowly over medium-low heat to avoid bitterness. Marinate beef at least 15 minutes, up to 24 hours for best flavor. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of water or broth to keep moist.

Nutrition

Keywords: Korean beef bulgogi, caramelized onions, easy bulgogi recipe, weeknight dinner, Korean marinade, savory beef, sweet onions

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/savory-korean-beef-bulgogi-recipe-easy-homemade-with-sweet-caramelized-onions/