Name: Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: ¼ cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 2 teaspoons brown sugar (extra); 2 teaspoons sesame oil; 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced; 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced; 1 pound ground beef; ½ small yellow onion, diced; 1 tablespoon scallion, diced; 1 teaspoon sesame seeds; 4 large soft boiled eggs

Jump to Recipe

If you’re craving a burst of Korean flavors with minimal fuss, this Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s a vibrant medley of savory soy, tangy rice vinegar, sweet brown sugar, and aromatic sesame oil, all perfectly mingling with ground beef for a quick, satisfying meal. Whether you’re a busy weeknight cook or just looking to enjoy something delicious without spending hours, this dish delivers authentic taste and comfort in under 30 minutes.

Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi comes alive with a handful of simple yet essential ingredients. Each item plays a pivotal role in layering flavors, creating a dish that’s balanced in taste, pleasing to the eyes, and rich in texture.

Soy sauce: The salty backbone that brings deep umami flavor to the beef.
Rice wine vinegar: Adds just the right amount of tang to brighten the dish.
Brown sugar: Provides subtle sweetness that balances savory and acidic notes perfectly.
Sesame oil: Infuses the recipe with a warm, nutty aroma and richness.
Fresh ginger: Gives a zesty, slightly spicy kick that awakens the palate.
Fresh garlic: Adds bold fragrance and depth.
Ground beef: The hearty protein that soaks up all those incredible flavors.
Yellow onion: Offers mild sweetness and texture contrast when sautéed.
Scallions: Sprinkle on top for a fresh, crisp finish.
Sesame seeds: Toasted seeds contribute a subtle crunch and extra nuttiness.
Soft boiled eggs: Creamy eggs that add richness and make the meal wonderfully comforting.

How to Make Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi

Step 1: Prepare the Bulgogi Sauce

Mix together the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced ginger, and minced garlic in a medium bowl. This sauce is the heart of the dish, marrying salty, sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors in a perfect harmony that transforms the ground beef.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef and Onion

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef and diced yellow onion. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Don’t worry if the beef still shows a little pink at this point; it will finish cooking when combined with the sauce.

Step 3: Combine Beef with Bulgogi Sauce

Pour the prepared bulgogi sauce over the browned beef and onions. Stir well to ensure every bit of meat is coated with that luscious sauce. Let it simmer gently for 6 to 10 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully and the beef cooks through completely.

Step 4: Assemble and Garnish

Divide the bulgogi mixture evenly into four bowls. Top each bowl with diced scallions, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, and a soft-boiled egg, which adds creaminess and completes this comforting dish.

How to Serve Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi

Garnishes

A few simple garnishes elevate the presentation and texture of Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi. The scallions bring a fresh vibrancy, while sesame seeds add just enough crunch to contrast the tender beef. The soft boiled egg, sliced or whole, melts gently into the dish, making each bite spectacularly rich.

Side Dishes

This dish is all about balance, so serving it with fluffy steamed rice or even sticky short-grain rice is ideal to soak up every bit of the savory sauce. You could also add a side of kimchi or pickled vegetables to introduce a tangy, spicy element that cuts through the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Feeling adventurous? Try serving your Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi in lettuce wraps for a fresh, crunchy bite or spoon it atop a bed of steamed noodles for a hearty twist. Another crowd-pleaser is presenting it as a bibimbap-inspired bowl, layering sautéed veggies and a drizzle of gochujang sauce on the side.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to cool it before sealing to retain freshness and flavor.

Freezing

If you want to save it longer, freeze the cooked beef mixture without the eggs in a freezer-safe container. It will stay tasty for up to 2 months and makes for a quick meal anytime you need it.

Reheating

When reheating, warm gently on the stove or in the microwave until heated through. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first. Add fresh garnishes and a soft boiled egg after reheating to bring back that just-cooked magic.

FAQs

Can I use other meats instead of ground beef?

Absolutely. Ground pork or turkey work well and will take on the bulgogi flavors nicely. Just adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure thorough cooking.

What if I don’t have rice wine vinegar?

You can substitute with apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, but keep the quantity the same and consider adding a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity.

Is this recipe spicy?

No, the classic Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi recipe is savory and sweet rather than spicy. You can always add a little red pepper flakes or gochujang if you like heat.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes, just use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to keep the flavors authentic without gluten.

How do I make the perfect soft boiled eggs?

Boil eggs for exactly 6 to 7 minutes, then immediately transfer to ice water to stop cooking. This yields a slightly runny yolk that complements the bulgogi so well.

Final Thoughts

Cooking Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi at home is like bringing a little piece of Korea’s vibrant street food culture straight to your kitchen, all without complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients. It’s a recipe that invites you to enjoy bold, comforting flavors and share a delicious meal with loved ones any night of the week. So give it a try—you’ll soon find yourself reaching for this easy, satisfying dish time and again.

Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 26 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Halal

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Description

This Easy Ground Beef Bulgogi recipe is a simplified, weeknight-friendly version of the traditional Korean dish. Ground beef is cooked with a savory and slightly sweet bulgogi sauce made from soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Topped with scallions, sesame seeds, and a soft boiled egg, it’s a delicious, comforting bowl meal perfect for any day of the week.

Instructions

Make Bulgogi Sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, sesame oil, minced fresh ginger, and minced fresh garlic until well combined. Set aside the bulgogi sauce.
Cook Ground Beef and Onion: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and diced yellow onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is mostly browned and onion softens, about 5 minutes. The meat may still be slightly pink at this stage.
Add Bulgogi Sauce and Simmer: Pour the prepared bulgogi sauce into the skillet with the ground beef and onion mixture. Stir well to combine, then let it simmer over medium-low heat for 6 to 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the beef to cook through.
Prepare the Bowls: Divide the cooked ground beef mixture evenly into four serving bowls. Top each bowl with diced scallions, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and place a soft boiled egg on top.
Serve: Serve the ground beef bulgogi bowls over cooked rice for a complete meal. Enjoy immediately while warm.

Notes

Soft boil eggs by placing them in boiling water for 6-7 minutes, then cool in ice water and peel.
For a spicier version, add a teaspoon of gochujang (Korean chili paste) to the bulgogi sauce.
This dish pairs perfectly with steamed white rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or pork according to preference.
To keep it gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop cooking and simmering
Cuisine: Korean