The best part? It’s packed with all those same amazing Bulgogi flavors – sweet, savory, and just a hint of spice. I love everything that has the Bulgogi name in it. From Bulgogi Tacos to classic Beef Bulgogi, it’s all so flavorful, and the secret is in the easy but very bold Bulgogi Sauce. I have perfected ours over the years, and will tell you all about it. As great as the original bulgogi is, sometimes when that craving hits I need it right now! I don’t want to wait four hours for my beef to marinate. That’s where the ground beef comes in…
What is Bulgogi?
Bulgogi (불고기), pronounced as bool-GOH-gee, is a classic Korean dish made of thin marinated slices of meat, mostly beef, grilled on a barbecue or on a stove top griddle. It is also often stir-fried in a pan in home cooking. Bulgogi is a combination of two Korean words, Bul meaning “fire” and Gogi, translating to “meat”. Hence, this dish is famously called “fire meat.” But don’t worry, Bulgogi is not really spicy, rather slightly sweet with typical Asian umami flavors. “Fire” here is a reference to the hot cooking surface that’s used to cook it. My Ground Beef Bulgogi is a twist on this classic. Here, ground meat is used instead of some expensive steak like rib eye. It’s a brilliant way to make this meal budget friendly for every day weeknights. And most importantly, it happens much faster!
Ingredient Needed
For Bulgogi Sauce – This is the most important part to make delicious Bulgogi. My recipe uses soy, mirin, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, grated pear, scallions, sesame seeds, black pepper and Gochujang (optional for spicy version). You will find the exact amounts in the recipe card down below. Ground beef – I use 90/10 lean ground beef for this recipe. If using higher fat ground beef, simply skim off the extra grease while cooking the meat. Oil – Cooking oil of your choice. For garnish – Green parts of scallions and sesame seeds.
Ground Beef Bulgogi Recipe
- Make Bulgogi sauce: In a bowl, I whisk all sauce ingredients until well combined. Then I set it aside till it’s ready to go in the stir fry.
- Cook ground beef: I heat some oil in a skillet or wok on high heat. Then, I add the ground beef and cook it until it’s browned and all the liquid is gone. If there’s any extra liquid or grease, I discard it.
- Finish the dish: I pour the bulgogi sauce over the meat and mix it all together. Then, I let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens up. Finally, I sprinkle some green onion and sesame seeds on top and serve it right away.
Alpana’s Tips
Don’t skip or skimp on any ingredients: Using pear and mirin is very important to get authentic Korean flavors going. Use the right amounts, as I have perfected the taste. Don’t overcook: When cooking, I’m careful not to overdo it. Ground beef cooks fast, so I aim for a juicy and tender texture by not overcooking it, which can make it tough. Use a hot pan: I also make sure my pan is nice and hot before adding the beef. Cooking it in a hot pan helps to sear it quickly, giving it that beautiful caramelized exterior that makes all the difference in flavor.
Possible Variations
Protein Swap: Some days I replace ground beef with ground pork, chicken, or turkey for a new flavor profile. Add Vegetables: I like to mix in other veggies like shredded carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms during cooking.
Serving Suggestions
- With Steamed Rice: I serve it over a bed of steamed white or brown rice. This is my favorite.
- In Lettuce Wraps: Some days I place the ground beef Bulgogi in crisp lettuce leaves. Great idea if you’re watching carbs.
- With Noodles: I love to pair it with stir-fried noodles like udon or soba. Or use it as a ramen topping.
- In Tacos: I also like to use the ground beef Bulgogi as a filling for tacos, topped with a Korean-style slaw. Yes, it’s awesome!
- With Banchan: Serve the ground beef Bulgogi with an assortment of Korean side dishes, known as banchan, for an authentic Korean feast.
- In a Rice Bowl (Bibimbap): Combine with rice, various vegetables, and a fried egg for a colorful Korean rice bowl. The next time you have some ground meat to cook for dinner, try the most famous Korean flavors. This is a very family friendly meal enjoyed by all ages. I hope you love it as much as I do! For more easy weeknight dinners, check out our hand picked collection of Dinner Ideas for Tonight. Until next time…
Ground Beef Bulgogi, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
More Quick Ground Meat Stir Fry Meals:Ground Beef Stir FryKorean Ground ChickenGround Turkey Stir FryMongolian Ground BeefEgg Roll in a BowlThai Basil Chicken
