Spicy Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps

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

Tender thinly sliced beef marinated in a spicy-sweet Korean sauce, quick-cooked and served in crisp lettuce leaves for a fresh handheld meal. This korean-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs thinly sliced beef sirloin, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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: 20 min Cook: 5 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 280 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 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp gochujang, and 2 sliced green onions to make the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 8 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the marinated beef in a single layer, cooking for 3-4 minutes until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and sprinkle 1 tsp sesame seeds over the beef.
  5. Step 5: To assemble, place about 2 oz cooked beef in each of 8 butter lettuce leaves, topping each with 1 tbsp grated carrot and 1 tbsp cucumber slices. Serve immediately as fresh handheld 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 Spicy Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (20 min prep + 5 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 Spicy Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps?

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 sirloin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps?

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 Spicy Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps 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 Spicy Korean Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps?

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