Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (2024)

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (1)

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Fully loaded Korean Beef Tacos with Bulgogi steak – because I know how much you all love Asian food (as evidenced here). And just wait until you try that Sriracha-lime cremataco sauce!!

The bulgogi beef (a Korean BBQ beef) in this recipe has incredible flavor as the sauce caramelizes in the skillet, coating each delicious bite! It’s kind of like the beef you try in really good takeout places but can never recreate at home.

My cousins wife, Alla sharedthis recipe with me, saying she had discovered these fantastic Korean beef tacos in a spa with a Korean restaurant located inside – a hidden gem! Shoot, I’ve never been to a spa but if there are tacos involved – SIGN ME UP! lol. Anyway, Alla loved them so much, she recreated the recipe at home.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (2)

These beef tacosare loaded with flavor! I toasted the tortillas right over my gas stove then loaded them with sweet strips of bulgogi beef, tons of crunchy purple cabbage, fresh cilantro, diced avocado and drizzled generously with a creamy Sriracha-lime crema that is over-the-top incredible. The combination is a flavor explosion and you won’t be able to stop at just one!

Did I mention this is the easiest recipe?

Ingredients for Beef Bulgogi Marinade:

4Tbsp (1/4 cup) sesame oil*
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated (optional but nice)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar (press it into the cup)
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 cuphot water

*Sesame Oil Tip: Don’t skip this or try to replace it with any other oil. It gives the beef marvelous flavor and aroma. We used “Sun Luck” brand (found near the soy sauces in the grocery store). Be sure to buy one that says “toasted sesame oil” in the ingredient list.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (3)

Korean Beef Tacos Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb flank steak, hanger steak, top sirloin, or flat iron steak
12 to 14 Small (6-inch) flour tortillas (use corn tortillas for gluten free)
1 small Purple Cabbage
1/3 bunch cilantro leaves
1 avocado,sliced

The Best Taco Sauce:

1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Sriracha hot sauce
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice, (plus lime wedges to serve if desired)

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (4)

Tacos Sauce credit: Kaylee88 on Allrecipes (we also love this on fish tacos!)

How to Make Korean Beef Tacos:

1. Thinly slice beef against the grain and place in a medium mixing bowl.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (5)

2. Stir together all marinade ingredients to dissolve sugar, pour over sliced meat and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate at least 4hours or overnight for best results.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (6)

Cooks Tip: Let beef stand at room temp 30 minutes before cooking. If you place cold meat on a hot pan, it will cool down the pan too quickly

2. Heat a large, heavy non-stick pan over high heat. It’s hot enough when you place a piece of meat in the center and it has a strong sizzle. Addmeat and let it sauté without stirring for 2-3 minutes or until slightly browned on the bottom then stir and continue cooking additional 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally or until fully cooked, liquid has evaporated and sauce has thickened. The sugars from the sauce will caramelize onto the beef.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (7)

3. Toast tortillas on a hot dry skillet or directly on the grates of your gas stove-top, turning and flipping frequently – they cook really fast so don’t walk away.

4. Stir together all taco sauce ingredients and if desired, transfer to a ziploc bagand snip off the corner for easier drizzling. Refrigerate until ready to use.Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (8)

5. To assemble tacos, place meat over toasted tortillas and cover with generous amount of purple cabbage. Add several sprigs of cilantro, some diced avocado and drizzle the top generously with the taco sauce. You can add a squeeze of fresh lime juice for extra freshness.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (9)

⬇ Print-Friendly for Korean Beef Tacos:

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe

4.95 from 115 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (11)

Fully loaded Korean Beef Tacos with flavorful Beef Bulgogi (a Korean BBQ beef). Don't skip the Sriracha-lime crema taco sauce which takes these over the top!

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Prep Time: 4 hours hrs

Cook Time: 8 minutes mins

Total Time: 4 hours hrs 8 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 12 to 14 tacos

Beef Bulgogi Marinade Ingredients:

  • 4 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated (optional but nice)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, press it into the cup
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup hot water

Korean Beef Tacos Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 lb flank steak
  • 12 to 14 Small, 6-inch flour tortillas (use corn tortillas for gluten free)
  • 1 small Purple Cabbage
  • 1/3 bunch cilantro leaves
  • 1 avocado, sliced

The Best Taco Sauce:

Instructions

  • Thinly slice beef against the grain and place in medium bowl.

  • Stir together all marinade ingredients until sugar dissolves, pour over sliced meat and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight for best results. Tip: Let beef stay at room temp 30 min before cooking. Chilled meat will cool a hot pan and make your meat juice out.

  • Heat a large, heavy non-stick pan on high heat (no need to add extra oil). It's hot enough when a piece of meat placed in the center has a strong sizzle. Add meat and sauté without stirring for 2-3 min or until lightly browned then stir and continue cooking additional 3-5 min, stirring occasionally or until fully cooked, liquid has evaporated and the sauce has caramelized on the beef.

  • Toast tortillas on a hot dry skillet or directly on the grates of your gas stove-top, turning frequently - they cook really fast so don't walk away.

  • Stir together all taco sauce ingredients. For easier drizzling, transfer to a ziploc bag and snip off the corner.

  • To assemble tacos, place meat over toasted tortillas and cover with generous amount of purple cabbage. Add sprigs of cilantro, diced avocado and drizzle generously with taco sauce. If desired, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice for extra freshness.

Notes

*Sesame oil should say "toasted sesame oil" in the ingredient list.

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Course: Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: Korean Beef Tacos

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Korean beef tacos are perfect for parties! You can prep most of this recipe ahead of time and everyone can build their own tacos.

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (12)

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers of the beef – it somehow changes flavor profile in the refrigerator after it’s cooked, developing a smoked flavor – almost like a teriyaki beef jerky and tastes amazing cold. My Dad took some leftover bulgogi beef to work and then he called to tell me how it was pretty much the best beef ever. Thanks Dad! 🙂 And thank you Alla for sharing yourKorean Beef Tacos recipe with all of us!

Natasha Kravchuk

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (13)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Korean bulgogi sauce made of? ›

In Korea, many bulgogi recipes include grated Asian pear or kiwi to help tenderize the meat. Common marinade ingredients include soy sauce, nutty sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and gochujang—a Korean fermented chili paste.

What cut of meat is best for Korean bulgogi? ›

Boneless ribeye steak is our cut of choice for this recipe and the most popular because it is tender and flavorful with nice marbling. Sirloin is also commonly used to make bulgogi and is slightly leaner that ribeye. You can also use flank steak in a pinch with good results, but the texture won't be quite as tender.

Is Korean beef the same as bulgogi? ›

Bulgogi, sometimes known as Korean BBQ beef, is a dish of thinly sliced grilled steak that has been marinated in a sweet soy, sesame, and garlic sauce. If you want to spice it up, serve the beef in lettuce cups with rice and hot pepper paste (gochujang).

What are the three types of bulgogi? ›

There are three types of bulgogi that are typically served at restaurants today – Gwangyang-style of South Jeolla Province, Eonyang-style of South Gyeongsang Province and last but not least, the Seoul-style.

What's the difference between teriyaki and bulgogi sauce? ›

Bulgogi is a sweet, salty beef dish that is comparable to teriyaki but much more rich and flavorful. Whereas teriyaki is solely sweetened with sugar, bulgogi relies also on fruit sugar to add an extra depth of flavor.

Is bulgogi sauce same as BBQ sauce? ›

It is sweet and savory and adds a vibrant flavor to any dish. Meishi Bulgogi sauce is a Korean style BBQ sauce for BBQs and grilling. Its an Ideal addition to your marinades or stir-fry's and makes a superb dipping sauce for burger and nuggets.

How long should you marinate bulgogi? ›

Place the meat and vegetables in a large bowl. Add the marinade and toss gently to combine everything well. Marinate the meat for 30 minutes to an hour, up to overnight. Grilling: Grill the meat on a charcoal or gas grill or pan fry in a skillet over high heat until slightly caramelized.

What do you eat with bulgogi? ›

Bulgogi pairs well with many dishes, but typically served with white short grain rice, kimchi and side dishes. If you are wanting to create that Korean BBQ restaurant style meal?

Why do Koreans eat bulgogi? ›

From 1910 to 1945, Korea was under Japanese rule, and serious beef shortages swept the nation. As a result, beef prices soared, and the prominence of the bulgogi dish waned. By the 1990s, however, the dish's popularity rebounded. It is collectively known as one of the most popular foods in Korea today.

Can I use apple instead of pear for bulgogi? ›

Stir fry the meat in batches using a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat to help deliver those coveted crispy brown edges. Traditional bulgogi marinade calls for puréed or grated fruit such as kiwi, apple, or pear.

What is bulgogi meat in English? ›

Bulgogi (Korean: 불고기; American English /bʊlˈɡoʊɡiː/ buul-GOH-ghee; from Korean bul-gogi [pul. ɡo. ɡi]), literally "fire meat") is a gui (Korean-style grilled or roasted dish) made of thin, marinated slices of meat, most commonly beef, grilled on a barbecue or on a stove-top griddle.

Can you pan fry bulgogi? ›

Once it's done marinating, the hard part is over. Throw it onto a super hot cast iron skillet or grill pan and that smoky, sweet-savory charred bits of meat will simply put you over the edge. Serve with rice and maybe a side of kimchi for a full meal.

What vegetables go well with bulgogi? ›

Carrots and green onion - These two vegetables are optional and mostly added for color. Feel free to omit if you want. Soy sauce and brown sugar - These two are the base of our bulgogi marinade.

What does bulgogi mean in Korean? ›

Bulgogi (불고기) is the name of a Korean dish, literally translating to “fire meat.” This famous Korean dish has existed for thousands of years, and it is now gaining popularity in Western countries like the United States and Canada.

What does Korean bulgogi sauce taste like? ›

What does bulgogi sauce taste like? Bulgogi sauce is considered being the BBQ sauce of Asian and Korean cuisine. It's sweet, smoky, and slightly tangy, and has a subtle spice hit thanks to the chili sauce. In many Korean restaurants, they actually serve this as a dipping sauce too!

What does Korean bulgogi taste like? ›

Beef Bulgogi is crazy tender and juicy seeping with mildly sweet, savory, smoky flavors from the soy, sesame, garlic, ginger marinade. It is intensely flavorful, and tantalizingly delicious. This Bulgogi cooks super fast, so once your steak is done marinating, it's 15 minutes to dinner!

What is bulgogi sauce taste like? ›

Bulgogi sauce offers a harmonious blend of savory, sweet, and umami flavors. The soy sauce provides a salty and savory base, while the sugar adds a touch of sweetness. The sesame oil contributes a nutty aroma, and the garlic infuses a subtle yet distinct flavor, resulting in a well-balanced and delicious sauce.

Is Korean bulgogi sauce spicy? ›

What does it taste like? Savory soy umami, somewhat sweet and spicy*, nutty, garlicky with a touch of tartness. *The heat level is medium spicy.

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