Go Back
+ servings
Korean Beef (Bulgogi) Lettuce Wraps on a blue plate

Korean Beef (Bulgogi) Lettuce Wraps

Course: Korean
Cuisine: asian
Keyword: how to make Korean bulgogi, Korean BBQ recipe
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 406kcal
Korean Beef (Bulgogi) Lettuce Wraps are unbelievably delicious. The bulgogi is the Korean BBQ beef, and it's over the top good. Add julienne carrots and cucumber, and some sliced pepper, topped with Korean sauce, all in a lettuce wrap, and the flavor profile is through the roof good!!
Print Recipe

Ingredients

FOR THE BULGOGI

  • 1 lb beef ribeye or skirt steak works well
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 Asian pear peeled, cored and roughly chopped (Bosc pear works, too)
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger chopped
  • 1 green onion chopped
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp sesame seeds toasted

FOR THE LETTUCE WRAPE

  • Lettuce leaves green leaf, or iceberg work well
  • Carrots peeled and julienne cut (or shredded) - soaked in apple cider vinegar for at least 2 hours, then drained
  • Cucumber seeded and cut into 1-inch sticks - soaked in apple cider vinegar for at least 2 hours, then drained
  • Hot pepper sliced into small pieces
  • 2 garlic cloves roughly chopped

FOR THE KOREAN BBQ SAUCE

  • 2 tbsp gochujang
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove minced

Instructions

PREPARE THE BULGOGI

  • Wrap the meat in plastic wrap and place in freezer for 30 minutes.
  • Mix the garlic, pear, onion, ginger, green onion, soy, oil, brown sugar, honey, pepper and sesame seeds in a medium bowl.
  • Remove the meat from the freezer, and using a sharp knife, cutting against the grain, slice into thin pieces.
  • Place the sliced beef in a large freezer plastic bag, and then add the marinade. Seal, and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour or overnight, up to 24 hours.
  • Using a large skillet, such as cast iron, heat over high heat.
  • Add the meat to the skillet and cook until browned and much of the liquid has evaporated. About 4 to 5 minutes. (It's okay for some of the marinade to go into the skillet with the meat).
  • Sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds.

ASSEMBLE THE LETTUCE WRAPS

  • Mound the lettuce leaves on a plate and place all the garnishes in bowls.
  • Place meat in a lettuce leaf and add desired toppings.

KOREAN BBQ SAUCE

  • Mix all the ingredients together in a small/medium bowl.

Nutrition

Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 583mg | Potassium: 367mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 46IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 3mg