Spicy Beef Bulgogi with Gochujang | CookOS

Spicy Beef Bulgogi

Name: Spicy Beef Bulgogi with Gochujang
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup gochugaru (Korean hot pepper flakes); 2 tbsp rice syrup; 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste); 1/4 cup water; 2 tbsp soy sauce; freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 lb beef (such as sirloin or ribeye), thinly sliced; 1 bunch green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces; 2 king oyster mushrooms, sliced; Lettuce leaves, for serving; Cooked rice, for serving

Spicy beef bulgogi is a Korean dish of thinly sliced beef marinated in a fiery gochujang and gochugaru sauce, cooked with mushrooms and green onions for a versatile protein that works equally well in lettuce wraps or fried rice.

🌍Korean 🏷️Bulgogi 🏷️Spicy beef 🏷️Beef 🏷️Gochujang Gochugaru

About·Privacy·Terms

🏷️

0:00

-0:00

Disabled

Auto

0.25x

0.5x

0.75x

Normal

1.25x

1.5x

1.75x

TikTok

Total

25 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$23–$38

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

0:00

-0:00

Disabled

Auto

0.25x

0.5x

0.75x

Normal

1.25x

1.5x

1.75x

TikTok

Ingredients

4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup gochugaru (Korean hot pepper flakes)
2 tbsp rice syrup
2 tbsp gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste)
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp soy sauce
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 lb beef (such as sirloin or ribeye), thinly sliced
1 bunch green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 king oyster mushrooms, sliced
Lettuce leaves, for servingoptional
Cooked rice, for servingoptional

12 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
In a medium bowl, combine minced garlic, gochugaru, rice syrup, gochujang, water, and soy sauce. Mix well to create the marinade.
2
Season the marinade with freshly ground black pepper and stir again.
3
Add the thinly sliced beef to the marinade and mix thoroughly with your hands or a spoon to ensure every piece is coated.
4
Heat a large pan or tabletop grill over medium-high heat. Add the green onions and sliced mushrooms.
5
Stir-fry the vegetables for about a minute until they begin to soften.
6
Add the marinated beef to the pan with the vegetables.
7
Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
8
Serve immediately, optionally with lettuce leaves for wraps.
9
For fried rice, add cooked rice to the leftover sauce and meat in the pan and stir-fry until well combined and heated through.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Slice beef against the grain into thin, even pieces (1/4-inch) for the most tender texture; partially freezing the meat for 1-2 hours makes slicing easier.
Don't skip the rice syrup—it caramelizes during cooking and balances the heat with subtle sweetness.
Cook in batches over high heat to achieve a charred crust; overcrowding the pan will steam the beef instead.
Add green onions and mushrooms in the last minute of cooking to keep them tender with slight char.

Substitutions

Gochugaru → cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (use 2 tbsp; flavor will differ slightly)
Rice syrup → honey or brown sugar (1.5 tbsp; adjust for desired sweetness)
King oyster mushrooms → shiitake or button mushrooms (use same quantity, slice to size)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooked bulgogi in an airtight container for up to 4 days; reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or use cold in rice bowls.

Common Questions

Can I make spicy beef bulgogi ahead of time?

Yes, marinate the beef for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator before cooking to deepen the flavor.

What cut of beef works best for bulgogi?

Sirloin or ribeye sliced thin (1/4-inch) work best; partially freeze the meat for 1-2 hours to slice more easily.

How spicy is this recipe?

The combination of gochujang and gochugaru creates a moderate-to-high heat level; reduce gochugaru by half for milder flavor.

Can I substitute gochujang or gochugaru?

Gochujang can be replaced with sriracha (use less, as it's spicier), but gochugaru has no true substitute—Korean red pepper flakes are essential to authentic flavor.

How do I cook spicy beef bulgogi?

Heat a large skillet or grill pan over high heat, then cook marinated beef in batches until charred and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side; add mushrooms and green onions in the final minute.