Half-Size Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender marinated beef cooked in a sweet-savory sauce served in crisp lettuce leaves for a light, flavorful Korean-inspired meal. This korean-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs thinly sliced beef ribeye, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 5 min Serves 2 Korean cuisine 380 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 sliced green onions, 1 tsp grated ginger, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Add 8 oz thinly sliced beef ribeye and marinate for 20 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is cooked through and edges caramelize.
  3. Step 3: Spoon beef into 8 romaine lettuce leaves and sprinkle 1 tsp sesame seeds over the top. Serve immediately as handheld wraps.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Size Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (25 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Half-Size Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep thinly sliced beef ribeye from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Size Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Half-Size Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Half-Size Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps?

Korean beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes