Seared Korean-Style Beef Bulgogi with Sesame and Scallions
Thinly sliced beef marinated in a savory and sweet Korean bulgogi sauce, quickly seared and garnished with toasted sesame seeds and scallions. This korean-inspired beef ready in about 20 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 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb thinly sliced beef ribeye
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 3, thinly sliced green onions
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until sugar dissolves.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced beef ribeye and 3 thinly sliced green onions to the marinade. Toss well to coat, then marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and additional sliced green onions on top before serving with steamed rice or lettuce wraps.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Seared Korean-Style Beef Bulgogi with Sesame and Scallions take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Seared Korean-Style Beef Bulgogi with Sesame and Scallions?
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 Seared Korean-Style Beef Bulgogi with Sesame and Scallions?
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 Seared Korean-Style Beef Bulgogi with Sesame and Scallions 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 Seared Korean-Style Beef Bulgogi with Sesame and Scallions?
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.