Kelly first introduced me to bulgogi back in 2016. She and Gilbert were taking Korean language lessons at the time. Part of the class was sampling authentic food. Kelly & Gilbert would then replicate their favorite dishes for Eric & I. Bulgogi was an instant hit with me! (Kimchi, not so much.) And so, we started making bulgogi at home.

Bolgogi (Korean for “fire meat”) is a Korean-style grilled or roasted dish made of thin, marinated slices of beef or pork. Before cooking, the thinly sliced meat is marinated (to enhance the flavor and tenderize the meat) in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and scallions. In this version, the meat is marinated overnight, then cooked in a slow-cooker, maximizing the flavor profile.

We like it served over hot, cooked rice. Fans of spicy foods can add sriracha or gochujang to the marinade.

For our favorite vegetarian version, try this grilled Bulgogi Eggplant recipe!

Garlic-Sesame Beef

Slow-Cooker Garlic-Sesame Beef (adapted from tasteofhome.com), Total Time Required: 5 hours, 15 minutes + marinating time, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 5 hours, Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 6 green onions, sliced
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon sriracha or gochujang (optional)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 beef sirloin tip roast (3 pounds), thinly sliced
• additional sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds
• hot cooked rice

Directions:

Thinly slice the beef.

In a large shallow dish, mix together the green onions, sugar, water, soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic, and sriracha, if using.

Mix together the marinade ingredients.

Add the flour to the beef, tossing to coat.

Coat the beef with the flour.

Add the meat to the marinade, mixing to coat it. Refrigerate, covered, for 8 hours or overnight.

Add the marinade to the meat.

Pour the beef and marinade into a 3-quart slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low for 5-7 hours or until the meat is tender.

Add the meat and marinade to the slow cooker

Using a slotted spoon, remove the beef to a serving platter. Sprinkle with additional green onions and sesame seeds.

Serve the beef over hot cooked rice with additional green onion and sesame seeds.

Serve over hot cooked rice.

Why go out to eat when great food is easily made at home?!  ~Linda

Slow-Cooker Garlic-Sesame Beef (adapted from tasteofhome.com), Total Time Required: 5 hours, 15 minutes + marinating time, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 5 hours, Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 6 green onions, sliced
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon sriracha or gochujang (optional)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 beef sirloin tip roast (3 pounds), thinly sliced
• additional sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds
• hot cooked rice

Directions:

In a large shallow dish, mix together the green onions, sugar, water, soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic, and sriracha, if using. Add the flour to the beef, tossing to coat. Add the meat to the marinade, mixing to coat it. Refrigerate, covered, for 8 hours or overnight.

Pour the beef and marinade into a 3-quart slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low for 5-7 hours or until the meat is tender.

Using a slotted spoon, remove the beef to a serving platter. Sprinkle with additional green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over hot cooked rice.