Stir-Fried Beef Bulgogi with Caramelized Onions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

Tender thinly sliced beef marinated in a savory-sweet bulgogi sauce, stir-fried with caramelized onions for a classic Korean barbecue experience. This Korean recipe, ready in about 55 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 380 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 sirloin
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1/4 cup grated pear
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 2 tbsp sliced green onions
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1/4 cup grated pear, 2 tsp sesame oil, and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper to create the marinade.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly; cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized.
4. Step 4: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the marinated beef along with any leftover marinade; stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the beef is cooked through and slightly caramelized.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 tbsp sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.