Ground Beef Bulgogi Recipe
This easy ground beef bulgogi delivers sweet, savory, and slightly spicy Korean flavors in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, and rice bowls.
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil optional, if beef is lean
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
For the Bulgogi Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon gochujang optional for mild heat
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 grated carrot
- 1 cup cooked broccoli
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
For Serving
- Steamed white rice or jasmine rice
- Lettuce leaves for wraps
- Noodles optional
Instructions
Cook the Beef
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add oil (if using), then add ground beef.
- Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
Add Onion, Garlic & Ginger
- Stir in diced onion, garlic, and ginger.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, gochujang, and black pepper.
Add Sauce to Beef
- Pour sauce over the beef and stir.
- Cook 3–4 minutes until the liquid reduces and the beef becomes caramelized.
Add Optional Veggies
- Mix in grated carrot or cooked broccoli if using.
Serve
- Serve over steamed rice and top with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Replace beef with turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Add more gochujang for spicy bulgogi.
- Excellent for meal prep — reheats perfectly.
- Serve in lettuce wraps for a low-carb bowl.
- Add a fried egg on top for authentic Korean flavor.