Description

These 35-Minute Beef Lettuce Wraps with bulgogi beef are a quick and delicious meal that brings the savory flavors of Korean cuisine to your table. Marinated bulgogi beef is cooked with fresh vegetables and served in crisp lettuce cups, making for a healthy, flavorful, and customizable dish. Perfect for a fun family meal or meal prep, these wraps are easy to make and packed with flavor!

Ingredients

For the Bulgogi Beef:

1½–2 lb ribeye or sirloin steak

1 medium sweet onion, cut into chunks

4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1-inch ginger root, peeled and thinly sliced (or 1 tsp ginger paste)

½ cup low-sodium soy sauce

½ cup water

¼ cup rice vinegar

¼ cup Doenjang (Korean fermented soybean paste, aka black bean paste)

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp toasted sesame oil

1 tsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste), adjust to taste

2 scallions, trimmed and sliced into 1” pieces

For Serving:

Bibb lettuce leaves (for wrapping)

Grated carrots and thinly sliced or julienned radishes

Sliced green onions

Kimchi

Sliced fresh hot chiles (such as serrano)

½ tsp sesame seeds

Fresh herbs like mint, basil, cilantro, and/or shiso leaves

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Instructions

Partially Freeze the Beef:
Place the steak in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to make it easier to slice. Once chilled, pat the beef dry with a paper towel, then slice it into ⅛-inch thick pieces using a sharp knife. Place the sliced beef in a large container or Ziploc bag.
Make the Bulgogi Marinade:
In a food processor, combine the onion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, Doenjang, honey, toasted sesame oil, and gochujang. Process until smooth.
Marinate the Beef:
Pour the marinade over the beef and stir in the chopped scallions. Cover the container tightly or seal the Ziploc bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for the best flavor.
Cook the Beef:
Heat a large skillet over high heat until very hot (about 5 minutes). Pour the marinated beef and all the marinade into the pan and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until the beef is browned and cooked through. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Serve:
To serve, spoon the beef into lettuce cups and top with grated carrots, radishes, sliced green onions, and fresh herbs. Serve with kimchi and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Notes

Chicken Substitute: You can replace the beef with chicken breast or thighs for a lighter option.
Rice Wrap: For a more filling version, add a spoonful of rice to each lettuce wrap before adding the beef and toppings.
Spice Level: Adjust the gochujang to your preferred spice level. You can also add extra sliced fresh chiles for heat.
Vegetarian Option: Replace the beef with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian alternative, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: beef
Cuisine: American