Korean Bbq Easy Beef Pork Belly Bulgogi Marinade Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because the combination of sweet, savory, and subtly spicy flavors make every bite an adventure for my taste buds, perfectly capturing the essence of Korean BBQ. Plus, the tender, marinated meat paired with fragrant garlic, ginger, and the satisfying crunch of toasted sesame seeds makes it a total crowd-pleaser, perfect for impressing friends at a weekend cookout.

I adore how the Korean barbecue gives an explosion of flavors to the table, and my easy marinade for beef and pork belly upholds that tradition. Using thinly sliced beef or pork belly, my marinade combines soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil, creating a profile that is simultaneously savory and slightly sweet.

The grated Asian pear adds a light, fruity note that is really nice. Garlic and ginger are mandatory for me, because they give such an easy version of that classic taste I adore when I eat or cook any Korean dish.

As for the gochugaru, I usually add some for heat, but that’s purely optional. Marinade:
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
• ¼ cup sesame oil
• 1 Asian pear, grated (or large Asian pear, Asian sesame pear, or regular pear)
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp.

grated ginger (or to taste)
• Optional: 2-3 tsp. gochugaru (or to taste)

Protein:
• 2 lbs.

of thinly sliced beef or pork belly.

Korean Bbq Easy Beef Pork Belly Bulgogi Marinade Recipe Ingredients

• Soy Sauce: Adds umami flavor and salty depth; source of sodium.
• Brown Sugar: Sweetens the marinade; provides rich, molasses-like flavor.
• Sesame Oil: Adds nutty aroma; rich in healthy fats.
• Asian Pear: Tenderizes meat; adds sweetness and slight acidity.
• Garlic: Offers pungent aroma; source of antioxidants.
• Ginger: Provides warmth and spice; aids in digestion.
• Gochugaru: Adds heat and color; packed with antioxidants (optional).

Korean Bbq Easy Beef Pork Belly Bulgogi Marinade Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 pound beef or pork belly, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons rice wine or mirin
• 1/4 cup grated Asian pear or apple
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes) – optional for spice

How to Make this Korean Bbq Easy Beef Pork Belly Bulgogi Marinade Recipe

1. In a mixing bowl, mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, and rice wine or mirin. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

2. Add to the mixture grated Asian pear or apple, and mix well to incorporate.

3. Minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper in the marinade must be evenly distributed. Stir in these ingredients.

4. Incorporate the very thinly sliced onion and chopped green onion into the mixture, taking care to ensure they are fully coated.

5. If you like a little heat, add gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes) at this point.

6. Arrange the beef or pork belly, cut into razor-thin slices, in a large, sealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.

7. Marinate the meat in the marinade, ensuring each piece is submerged and well-coated.

8. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors infuse into the meat. For best results, marinate for a few hours or overnight.

9. Get a grill or BBQ pan ready. Preheat it to medium-high heat. Grimace while you get the marinade-on-the-meat situation ready. Then grill or pan-fry the meat you’ve been marinating in the sauce you so badly wanted to use on pork (or chicken or shrimp) until it’s wonderfully cooked and kind of charred.

10. Move the meat that is cooked to a dish for serving, add toasted sesame seeds, and serve alongside rice and kimchi to complete the Korean BBQ experience.

Korean Bbq Easy Beef Pork Belly Bulgogi Marinade Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Mixing bowl
2. Measuring cups and spoons
3. Grater (for Asian pear or apple, and ginger)
4. Garlic press or knife (for mincing garlic)
5. Cutting board
6. Knife
7. Spoon (for stirring)
8. Sealable plastic bag or shallow dish
9. Grill or BBQ pan
10. Tongs (for handling meat)
11. Serving dish

FAQ

• Q: Can I substitute pork belly with another type of meat?A: Yes, you can use beef, chicken, or for a vegetarian option, thinly sliced tofu.
• Q: How long should I marinate the meat?A: The meat should be marinated for a minimum of 30 minutes, but the best results come when you marinate it for 2 to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
• Q: What can I use if I don’t have an Asian pear?A: For corresponding sweetness and tenderness, you can use a grated apple instead.
• Q: Is gochugaru necessary, and where can I find it?Gochugaru is a spice that can be optional and adds a nice kick. If you happen to not have it on hand, you can easily find it at an Asian grocery store or purchase it online.
• Q: Can this recipe be cooked on a stovetop?A: Yes, prepare the meat in a hot skillet or on a grill pan, over medium-high heat, turning until it is cooked throughout.
• Q: What side dishes go well with this bulgogi?Accompany with fluffy rice steamed to perfection, batches of homemade kimchi, or a simple sauté of the vegetables of your choice—think nutty sesame spinach, salty-sweet stir-fried bok choy, or crisp cucumber spears.
• Q: Can I prepare this marinade in advance?A: Yes, the marinade can be made a day ahead and kept in the fridge.

Korean Bbq Easy Beef Pork Belly Bulgogi Marinade Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
Coconut sugar or maple syrup can be used instead of brown sugar.
If honey is absent, use agave nectar.
Change sesame oil to olive oil for a different flavor.
If you don’t have rice wine or mirin on hand, use white wine or apple cider vinegar instead.

Pro Tips

1. Marinate Overnight for Maximum Flavor Although the recipe suggests marinating for at least 30 minutes, letting the meat soak in the marinade overnight will yield the most flavorful results as it allows the ingredients to fully penetrate and tenderize the meat.

2. Freeze Meat Slightly for Easier Slicing To achieve razor-thin slices of beef or pork belly, consider placing the meat in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes until it firms up a bit. This will make it much easier to slice thinly and evenly.

3. Use a Cast Iron Skillet for Char If you don’t have access to a grill, use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. It retains heat superbly and provides excellent searing, giving your meat a nice char and enhancing the smoky BBQ flavor.

4. Baste with Marinade While Cooking Reserve some of the marinade (before adding raw meat) to baste the slices while cooking. This will add extra moisture and intensify the flavors during the grilling or frying process.

5. Let Meat Rest Before Serving After cooking the meat, let it rest for a few minutes on a warm plate covered loosely with foil. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite is juicy and flavorful.