Spiced Korean-Style Beef Bulgogi Stir Fry

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Thinly sliced beef marinated in a savory-sweet Korean-inspired sauce, stir-fried with scallions and sesame seeds for a quick dinner. This korean-inspired beef ready in about 35 minutes pairs soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil 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: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 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 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes; stir until sugar dissolves.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering.
  4. Step 4: Add the marinated beef slices in a single layer and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Toss in 4 sliced green onions and cook for an additional 1 minute until softened but still vibrant.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the beef before serving with steamed rice or lettuce 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 Spiced Korean-Style Beef Bulgogi Stir Fry take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (25 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 Spiced Korean-Style 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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Korean-Style 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 Spiced Korean-Style 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 Spiced Korean-Style Beef Bulgogi Stir Fry?

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