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Ground beef bulgogi served over steamed rice with vegetables.

Ground Beef Bulgogi

A quick and flavorful Korean-inspired dish featuring ground beef cooked in a savory-sweet bulgogi sauce. Perfect for serving over rice, in lettuce wraps, or as a taco filling.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Korean
Calories: 340
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Bulgogi Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons mirin or a splash of rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
For the Ground Beef Bulgogi
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil such as vegetable or canola oil
  • 0.5 onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef 85–90% lean
  • 2 green onions sliced; reserve some for garnish
  • toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Spatula
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, sesame oil, black pepper, and sesame seeds. Stir until sugar dissolves and set aside.
  2. Heat neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until the onion turns translucent and garlic is fragrant.
  3. Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a spatula and cook for 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease if necessary.
  4. Pour the prepared bulgogi sauce over the beef. Stir well to coat the meat evenly. Simmer on medium-low for 2–3 minutes to meld flavors.
  5. Stir in the sliced green onions, reserving a few for garnish. Cook for another 1–2 minutes.
  6. Serve over steamed rice, in lettuce wraps, or as taco filling. Garnish with reserved green onions and additional sesame seeds.

Notes

For a spicier version, add 1 tablespoon gochujang to the sauce. Feel free to incorporate vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms for extra texture and nutrition. Top with a fried egg for an indulgent meal.