Easy Korean Beef

Name: Easy Korean Beef
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 135 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds boneless rib eye steak (thinly sliced); 1/4 cup coconut aminos; 2 tbsp honey; 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil; 3-4 garlic cloves (minced); 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger; 1 tbsp Korean red pepper paste; 2 tbsp olive oil (divided); 4 green onions (thinly sliced); 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds (to garnish); OPTIONAL: cooked rice (to serve)

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This Easy Korean Beef is comprised of thinly sliced rib eye steak that’s marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce, then seared to perfection. For a complete meal, the whole family will enjoy, serve over rice or noodles with some veggies, like steamed broccoli or cauliflower.

Woman's hands holding a bowl of bulgogi served over white rice.

Korean beef is a family favorite meal for good reason – that sweet and savory combo is just SO delicious! Once the meat has had time to marinate, this dish takes just minutes to prepare and can be on the dinner table in just about 10 minutes! The meat is fall-apart tender and perfectly served over steamed rice.

Why you should make this recipe

Quick and easy: In minutes you will have a delicious, satisfying meal ready to be eaten and enjoyed.
Packed with flavor: The tender steak is marinated to perfection! You’re definitely going to want to add this to the regular dinner rotation.
Versatile: Don’t want to use steak? You can easily substitute thinly sliced chicken for the steak if you’re looking for a different option.
Great for meal prep: This dish is perfect for making in advance. Simply divide equal amounts of Korean beef and rice into meal prep containers and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.

Ingredients needed

Rib eye steak: Any thinly sliced steak works. You can sub sirloin or even tenderloin for the rib eye if preferred.
For the marinade: The delicious sauce is a mix of coconut aminos, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, fresh ginger, and Korean red pepper paste.
Olive oil: For cooking the beef.
To garnish: Sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds add a pop of color and texture to the finished dish.

Thinly sliced beef and sauce ingredients divided into small bowls.

How to make this Asian beef recipe

This Korean beef recipe is really super simple, yet so delicious. Once the meat is marinated, it cooks quickly and is ready to eat in just a matter of minutes! Here’s the simple process:

Marinate the steak: Place the sliced beef in a large Ziploc bag. In a small bowl, combine the coconut aminos, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper paste. Add this sauce over the beef in the Ziploc bag and stir through the bag to combine. Marinate the meat for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Adding coconut aminos, fresh ginger and garlic to a small bowl.

Mixing marinade ingredients in a small white bowl.

Cook the meat: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add half of the marinated meat and arrange in a single layer into the pan to evenly cook. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining oil and meat.
Serve: Garnish with green onions, and sesame seeds and enjoy overcooked rice.

Cooking thinly sliced beef in a large pan.

Expert Tips

Slicing the beef: To make thinly slicing the beef easier, wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it for about 20 minutes first, then carefully unwrap and slice it against the grain.
Marinating the beef: Keep in mind, the longer the meat marinates, the more flavorful it will taste. Marinate it for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
Cooking the beef: Be sure not to overcrowd the meat while cooking. You may need to cook it in 2 to 3 batches.
Korean red pepper paste: Look for this (also called gochujang) down the Asian food aisle. It tastes a bit spicy, slightly sweet, salty, and deeply savory.

Serving Korean beef over rice in a white bowl.

Frequently asked questions

What is Korean beef called?

Another common name for Korean beef is Bulgogi. It’s a classic Korean recipe made with thinly sliced, marinated beef and is a staple in Korean households.

What cut of meat is bulgogi?

Bulgogi is typically made with very thin slices of the most tender cuts of beef. Rib-eye is the most common cut of beef with top sirloin also often used.

What does bulgogi taste like?

The beef is marinated with coconut aminos (or soy sauce), honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper paste giving it a savory, salty, and sweet flavor.

top view korean beef on a round white plate topped with sesame seeds

Serving suggestions

We typically serve this Korean beef over rice, but sometimes we mix things up a bit and serve it with quinoa or noodles. For a lower-carb option, you can try it with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. To add a boost of nutrition, also add some steamed veggies on the side!

Storage recommendations

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze-cooled meat in an airtight, freezer-safe container or plastic bag for up to 3 months.
Reheat from frozen by letting this thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter at room temperature for a couple of hours before heating it on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through. Stir halfway to distribute heat evenly.

More steak recipes

Korean beef topped with sliced green onion.

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