Bulgogi is one of the most beloved dishes in Korean cuisine. Not only is it quick and delicious to make at home, but its simplicity also lends to its popularity.
Bulgogi is typically prepared with thin strips of marinated beef grilled over a barbecue grill, but you can also cook this dish on your stovetop.
Thinly Sliced Beef
Reduce calories and fat in your bulgogi by using thinly sliced beef. While using a meat slicer is ideal, if you don’t own one or don’t wish to purchase one, here are two low-tech methods for cutting beef thin that will still provide great flavor!
Bulgogi is a traditional Korean dish consisting of marinated, thinly sliced beef that’s then cooked on the grill. It may be served with vegetables, rice and side dishes such as kimchi or oi muchim (spicy cucumber salad).
Bulgogi not only tastes delicious, but it’s also nutritious for you. Packed full of protein and low in fat, bulgogi makes a great choice for anyone trying to shed pounds or maintain their current weight.
Thinly sliced beef is the key to creating a delectable and healthy bulgogi dish. Cooking these strips quickly allows the flavor to seep into the meat, creating an irresistibly soft texture that melts in your mouth.
The meat is then marinated with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and brown sugar to create a marinade that balances out the saltiness of the beef.
For a healthier version of this classic dish, substitute the soy sauce with low-sodium soy sauce and use vegetable oil in place of butter for reduced calories. Alternatively, add some sweetness by mixing in apple juice or kiwi fruit.
Mushrooms make for an excellent addition to bulgogi, as they contain high amounts of protein and fiber. Furthermore, mushrooms contain essential vitamins and minerals like phosphorus, potassium, copper and manganese – all essential for optimal health benefits! That is why adding more vegetables into your diet should be a top priority.
To create a more balanced meal, consider adding side dishes such as kimchi, oi muchim (spicy green cucumber salad), or mu saeng chae (spicier radish salad). These options are all easy to make and can be served alongside your bulgogi for an incredibly nutritious dinner that’s sure to please!
Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is a staple in Asian cooking and boasts numerous health benefits. It aids digestion, lowers bad cholesterol levels and lowers blood pressure. Furthermore, its antioxidant properties protect cells from oxidative stress.
Soy sauce is made by fermenting soybeans with wheat and salt. Typically, soy sauce contains high levels of sodium but low-sodium versions are available as well, allowing people to enjoy the flavor without feeling guilty about their salt intake.
Kikkoman Low Sodium Soy Sauce is made with the same ingredients as traditional soy sauce, but with 38% less sodium. This makes it a perfect option for today’s lighter palates and health-conscious customers alike.
This sauce can be used as a marinade, dipping sauce or stir-fry sauce. It features an elegant balance of complex flavors from soy sauce and fruit juice that make it delicious served over rice or with vegetables.
This recipe requires minimal ingredients and is versatile. You’ll need oil for the beef and vegetables, grated onion to create a tender base for the mixture, aromatics like ginger and garlic, plus sweetener such as pear juice or brown sugar to give it an enjoyable fruity taste.
If you’re not a fan of brown sugar, try substituting with coconut aminos instead. This light substitute doesn’t have the same sodium content as soy sauce but still has an enjoyable umami taste that will go great with your meat dishes.
You can even mix them together! For a healthier option, add 1 teaspoon of coconut aminos and 2 tablespoons sesame oil to the marinade.
Another option is to make your own soy sauce from scratch, which can easily be stored in a jar for up to one year. You can find soy sauce substitutes at most grocery stores or opt for commercial brands.
The only disadvantage to using a soy sauce substitute is that you won’t get the same authentic flavor as with real soy sauce. Genuine soy sauce has an intense and robust taste, boasting strong umami flavors which explain why it’s popular with Asian cuisines. You can find it in dishes like ramen noodles and kimchi as well.
Vegetables
Vegetables are an excellent way to increase the nutritional content of a bulgogi recipe. Not only do they provide fiber, which aids in digestion, but they also contain antioxidants which may protect against certain diseases and conditions.
Fermented vegetables like kimchi are an excellent source of antioxidants and dietary fiber. Furthermore, they support a healthy gut microbiome which aids in constipation while decreasing cholesterol levels.
By adding vegetables to bulgogi, you can reduce its sodium and fat content as well as boost its nutritional value. For instance, spinach provides vitamins A and C plus folic acid; plus it’s a good source of dietary fiber which helps regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Another beneficial vegetable to include in a bulgogi recipe is broccoli. This veggie is low in calories and high in fiber, making it ideal for those trying to shed pounds or simply stay healthy.
Other popular vegetable options for a nutritious bulgogi recipe include bok choy and baby potatoes. Both vegetables are easy to prepare and taste fantastic when combined with bulgogi.
Aside from these classic Korean vegetables, you can also make a variety of side dishes to accompany bulgogi. Popular choices include yachae jeon (Korean vegetable pancakes), bibimbap and kimchi.
For a protein-packed lunch, pair your bulgogi with some brown rice. Top this off with vegetables and other desired toppings like edamame or avocado.
This delicious, straightforward dish is ideal for busy weeknights or those looking to cut back on meat consumption. It boasts a delightful flavor profile and takes only 20 minutes to prepare – the ideal amount of time!
For this delicious and satisfying dish, you can use thinly sliced beef, ground beef or even pork. Just be sure to use lean cuts of meat like chuck or ribeye steak.
This recipe calls for onions, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, pear juice and ginger in a delicious marinade. You can also add black pepper, sesame seeds or rice wine to the mix for additional flavor and nutrients. The marinade keeps beef tender while providing additional vitamins to your diet!
Rice
Enjoy this delectable Korean beef dish made with thinly sliced steak and sweet-and-sour sauce for a quick weeknight dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes or less!
Bulgogi is an iconic Korean dish composed of thinly sliced beef that’s typically served with lettuce wraps or rice. It makes for a nutritious dinner that the entire family can enjoy – perfect for those on a diet!
Bulgogi recipes typically feature ground beef as the primary ingredient, making them an ideal choice for those on a low-calorie diet as it’s low in fat and cholesterol while still providing protein and other essential nutrients.
This recipe can be customized to your preference with a variety of meats, such as lean ground beef, sirloin or tenderloin steak, brisket, or tofu. Alternatively, if vegetarianism is your goal then chicken or pork can be substituted for the ground beef.
Once the meat has browned, add in the sauce and heat through. You may also want to stir in some fresh vegetables for an even healthier meal; I like serving mine with either broccoli or cauliflower which both provide high levels of fiber and low calories.
Vegetables in your bulgogi bowl are an excellent way to increase your intake of essential vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, vegetables provide fiber which supports good bowel health as well as weight loss efforts.
Additionally, it’s beneficial to make sure you get enough iron in your diet through multigrain and black rice products. Iron plays an essential role in healthy blood flow and energy production, so making sure to get enough of this mineral is beneficial for overall wellbeing.
One serving of cooked rice contains about 225 calories (SOURCE). While it’s beneficial to incorporate plenty of vegetables into your plate, steer clear of other side dishes which could add hundreds more calories into your total and make reaching a caloric deficit difficult.