Instant Pot Korean-Inspired Beef Bulgogi with Scallions and Sesame

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-04 · Updated 2026-08-04

Tender strips of beef marinated in sweet-savory Korean spices, quickly cooked under pressure for an easy and flavorful bulgogi served with scallions and sesame seeds. This Korean Instant Pot recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 stalks scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup grated Asian pear (optional)

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup grated Asian pear if using. Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak and toss well to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Add the marinated beef and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until just browned but not fully cooked.
3. Step 3: Add 1/4 cup water to the pot, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom, and seal the Instant Pot lid. Set to manual high pressure for 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: When the cooking cycle ends, do a quick release of the pressure. Open the lid and stir the beef. Switch back to sauté mode and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 3 thinly sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.