Print

Ground Beef Bulgogi

Ground Beef Bulgogi
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Quick weeknight Korean BBQ featuring ground beef with sweet, savory, umami-rich bulgogi sauce. Served with pickled cucumbers and lettuce wraps.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 English cucumbers, thinly sliced (optional)
  • ¾ cup rice vinegar or white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for carrots)
  • 2 (10-ounce) bags shredded carrots (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil (for bulgogi)
  • 1 cup grated onion (white or yellow)
  • 1 heaping tablespoon minced fresh garlic
  • 1 heaping tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 pounds 90% lean ground beef
  • 3–4 tablespoons honey
  • 3–4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari)
  • 3 tablespoons gochujang
  • 2 tablespoons mirin or rice wine
  • White sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Bibb lettuce leaves (for serving)
  • Cooked rice (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Whisk together ¾ cup rice vinegar, ½ cup water, 1 tablespoon honey, and ¾ teaspoon salt until dissolved. Add sliced cucumbers and set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add shredded carrots with ½ teaspoon salt and cook 10-15 minutes until softened and starting to char. Transfer to bowl.
  3. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in pan over medium heat. Add grated onion, garlic, ginger, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Cook 3 minutes until starting to brown.
  4. Add ground beef and break into small pieces. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  5. Return beef to pan and stir in honey, soy sauce, gochujang, and mirin. Cook 3 minutes until sauce thickens.
  6. Season to taste with additional soy sauce and honey. Serve in lettuce cups with pickled cucumbers, carrots, and rice.

Notes

  • Use 90% lean ground beef for best flavor and texture balance.
  • Grate onion using box grater for better flavor distribution.
  • Fresh garlic and ginger are essential for authentic flavor.
  • For gluten-free: use tamari and gluten-free gochujang.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/ground-beef-bulgogi/