Soy-Garlic Marinated Beef Bulgogi Stir Fry

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

Thinly sliced beef marinated in a savory soy-garlic sauce, quickly stir-fried with vegetables for a tender and flavorful Korean classic. This korean ready in about 45 minutes pairs beef sirloin, thinly sliced, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. 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 "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: 35 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp grated ginger, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin and marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 small sliced white onion and 1 julienned medium carrot; stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until just tender.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated beef along with the marinade to the skillet. Stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until beef is browned and cooked through, and the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 chopped green onions and sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed rice or greens for a balanced meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Soy-Garlic Marinated Beef Bulgogi Stir Fry take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (35 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 Soy-Garlic Marinated Beef Bulgogi Stir Fry?

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 sirloin, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Soy-Garlic Marinated Beef Bulgogi Stir Fry?

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 Soy-Garlic Marinated Beef Bulgogi Stir Fry 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 Soy-Garlic Marinated Beef Bulgogi Stir Fry?

Korean korean 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