Pear-Braised Beef Bulgogi

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

Beef simmered in a sweet-spicy sauce with fresh pear, creating a harmonious blend of flavors reminiscent of Korean royal cuisine. This korean-inspired asian ready in about 25 minutes pairs Beef, Pear, Gochujang for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 160 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 "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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 160 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Thinly slice 12 oz beef and mix with 2 tbsp gochujang, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp sesame oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp grated ginger. Marinate 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add beef and marinade, then simmer 8-10 minutes until tender and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 peeled and diced pear and cook 5 more minutes until pear softens and flavors meld.
  4. Step 4: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions and serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pear-Braised Beef Bulgogi take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Pear-Braised Beef Bulgogi?

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 beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pear-Braised Beef Bulgogi?

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 Pear-Braised Beef Bulgogi for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Pear-Braised Beef Bulgogi?

Korean asian 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.

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