Bulgogi Recipe Ground Beef: How to Make 3 Delicious Variations

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bulgogi recipe ground beef

Have you ever wondered how to transform ordinary ground beef into a mouthwatering Korean-inspired dish that your whole family will love? Korean bulgogi might sound fancy, but with ground beef, it becomes an easy weeknight dinner that delivers amazing flavor without the wait!

What Makes Ground Beef Bulgogi So Special

bulgogi recipe ground beef

Bulgogi (which means “fire meat” in Korean) traditionally uses thinly sliced beef, but our ground beef version makes this dish much more accessible. This recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Even if you’ve never cooked Korean food before, this recipe is beginner-friendly with simple ingredients you can find at most grocery stores.

Time Required: 30 minutes Difficulty Level: Easy Servings: 4

Essential Ingredients for Ground Beef Bulgogi

The Base Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio works best)
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, grated
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Black pepper to taste

Why These Ingredients Matter

Ground Beef: The star of our recipe! Using ground beef instead of sliced beef makes this dish faster to cook and more affordable.

Soy Sauce: Brings saltiness and umami flavor. It’s the foundation of our sauce.

Brown Sugar: Adds that classic sweet note that balances the salty soy sauce.

Sesame Oil: Gives an authentic nutty flavor that’s key to Korean cooking.

Garlic and Ginger: These aromatic ingredients add depth and warmth to the dish.

Rice Vinegar: Adds a mild tang that brightens all the flavors.

Green Onions: Provide fresh flavor and color.

Sesame Seeds: Add texture and visual appeal.

Possible Substitutions

Soy Sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
Brown Sugar: Honey or maple syrup work well too.
Ground Beef: Turkey or chicken can be used for a lighter version.
Rice Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar can work in a pinch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Bulgogi Sauce

In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and rice vinegar.
Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
Set aside to let the flavors meld while you prepare the beef.

Cooking the Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef to the hot skillet and break it into small pieces with a wooden spoon.
Cook until the beef is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
If there’s excess fat, drain it off, leaving just a small amount for flavor.

Combining Everything

Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked ground beef.
Stir well to coat all the meat with the sauce.
Cook for another 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to blend.
Add half of the chopped green onions, stirring to incorporate.
Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds and remaining green onions.

Cooking Tips

Don’t overcook the beef after adding the sauce, or it will get too dry.
The sauce might seem thin at first, but it will thicken as it cooks with the beef.
Taste before serving and adjust the seasonings if needed.

Serving Your Ground Beef Bulgogi

Ground beef bulgogi is incredibly versatile. Here are three delicious ways to serve it:

1. Bulgogi Rice Bowls

What You’ll Need:

Cooked white or brown rice
Ground beef bulgogi
Sliced cucumbers
Shredded carrots
Kimchi (if you like it)
Fried egg (optional)

Assembly:

Place a scoop of rice in a bowl.
Top with a generous portion of bulgogi.
Arrange vegetables around the beef.
Add kimchi and a fried egg if desired.
Garnish with extra green onions and sesame seeds.

2. Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps

What You’ll Need:

Large lettuce leaves (butter lettuce or romaine hearts work well)
Ground beef bulgogi
Cooked rice (optional)
Sliced radishes
Grated carrots
Sauce for drizzling (mix 2 parts gochujang with 1 part honey)

Assembly:

Wash and dry lettuce leaves.
Place a small amount of rice in the center of each leaf (if using).
Top with bulgogi mixture.
Add vegetables.
Drizzle with sauce.
Fold the lettuce around the filling and enjoy!

3. Bulgogi Noodle Stir-Fry

What You’ll Need:

8 oz cooked noodles (ramen, udon, or rice noodles work great)
Ground beef bulgogi
1 cup mixed vegetables (bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms)
Extra sauce ingredients to toss with noodles

Assembly:

Stir-fry your vegetables in a separate pan until crisp-tender.
Add cooked noodles to the pan with the bulgogi.
Add vegetables and toss everything together.
If needed, add a splash more soy sauce and sesame oil.
Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Ground beef bulgogi is perfect for meal prep because it stores well and tastes even better the next day!

Refrigerator Storage

Store cooked bulgogi in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keep rice, noodles, and vegetables in separate containers for maximum freshness.

Freezer Storage

Bulgogi freezes beautifully! Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags.
Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating Tips

Microwave: Heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Stovetop: Add a splash of water to a pan, add the bulgogi, and heat over medium-low until warm.

Make-Ahead Ideas

Prepare the sauce up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator.
Cook the beef and store it separately from the sauce, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
Chop all vegetables and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Recipe Variations

Spicy Bulgogi

Add 1-2 tablespoons of gochujang (Korean chili paste) to the sauce mixture for a spicy kick.

Veggie-Packed Bulgogi

Add 1 cup of finely chopped mushrooms, 1/2 cup grated carrots, and 1/2 cup finely chopped bell peppers to the ground beef while cooking for added nutrition.

Sweet Pear Bulgogi

Add 1/4 cup of grated pear to the sauce for natural sweetness and tenderizing properties (a traditional ingredient in many bulgogi recipes).

Bulgogi Fried Rice

Use leftover bulgogi to make amazing fried rice! Simply sauté cold rice with a bit of oil, add chopped vegetables, then mix in chopped bulgogi meat. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil and soy sauce.

Conclusion

Ground beef bulgogi opens up a world of Korean-inspired flavors that are easy to make and sure to please everyone at your table. Whether you serve it in a rice bowl, wrapped in lettuce, or mixed with noodles, this versatile dish will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection.

Don’t be afraid to play with the flavors and make this recipe your own! Add more vegetables, adjust the sweetness, or change the heat level to match your taste preferences. The beauty of bulgogi is in its adaptability and how it welcomes experimentation.

Now that you have three delicious ways to serve ground beef bulgogi, which one will you try first?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bulgogi healthy?

Ground beef bulgogi can be part of a balanced diet, especially when served with plenty of vegetables. To make it healthier, use lean ground beef (90/10) and serve with more vegetables and less rice.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce, and make sure any other packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free.

How spicy is bulgogi?

Traditional bulgogi isn’t spicy at all. It’s more sweet and savory. However, you can add gochujang (Korean chili paste) to make it spicy to your taste.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey works great as a leaner alternative. You might want to add an extra drizzle of sesame oil since turkey has less fat than beef.

What’s the difference between bulgogi and other Korean beef dishes?

Bulgogi is characterized by its slightly sweet soy-based marinade. Other Korean beef dishes like galbi (short ribs) or japchae (stir-fried noodles with beef) use different cuts of meat and cooking methods.