Mom’s Bulgogi with Cucumber Kimchi Salad Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Beef

by: Food52

June25,2021

4.6

7 Ratings

  • Prep time 4 hours 20 minutes
  • Cook time 10 minutes
  • Serves 6 to 8

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

From Joanna Gaines’s Magnolia Table cookbook: "Mom’s bulgogi, though, is more of an American-Korean hybrid, much sweeter than traditional bulgogi, and she serves it on a bed of white rice. Mom has us over once a month and this is what she always makes. It’s my kids’ very favorite food in the world, so I knew I had to include it in this book.... We’ve never had Mom’s bulgogi with anything other than her cucumber kimchi salad, which has a clean, fresh flavor that perfectly complements the sweet barbecued beef."

From Magnolia Table, by Joanna Gaines. Copyright © 2018 by Joanna Gaines. Reprinted by permission of William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Want to hear more about Korean-American food? On our new podcast Counterjam—a show that explores culture through food and music—host Peter J. Kim talks instant ramyeun hacks, kimchi-jjigae, cheonggukjang, and more with chef Roy Choi and comedian Margaret Cho—check out the episode here. Food52

Test Kitchen Notes

Featured in: The Sweet Korean Bulgogi Joanna Gaines Grew Up Loving —The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • Bulgogi
  • 3 cupspacked light brown sugar (if your tastes run less sweet, start with half and adjust up/down according to taste)
  • 1 1/2 cupssoy sauce
  • 5 tablespoonssparkling dessert wine, such as Banfi Rosa Regale, or sparkling grape juice
  • 3 tablespoonssesame oil
  • 2 green onions (light and dark green parts), chopped, plus 1/4 cup sliced for serving
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
  • 4 to 5 poundsbeef tenderloin, rib-eye, top sirloin, or sirloin steak, thinly sliced (see Note)
  • Cucumber Kimchi Salad
  • 2 English cucumbers, peeled if desired, cut into ½-inch dice
  • 2 green onions (light and dark green parts), thinly sliced on the diagonal
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 to 2 teaspoonsgochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes; see Tip)
  • 2 teaspoonssugar
  • 1 teaspoonrice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoonsesame oil
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoonskosher salt, to taste
  • For Serving
  • Steamed white rice
  • 1 to 2 tablespoonsthinly sliced green onion (light and dark green parts) as needed, for garnish
  • 3 tablespoonssesame seeds, toasted, for garnish
Directions
  1. Marinate the bulgogi: In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, wine, sesame oil, green onions, garlic, and pepper until well combined. Add the beef and coat it completely in marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 5 hours.
  2. To make the cucumber kimchi salad: In a medium bowl, combine the cucumbers, green onions, garlic, gochugaru, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, and salt to taste and stir gently. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Prepare a hot grill. If the pieces of beef are so small that they may fall through the grates, use a grilling skillet or place a sheet of foil on the grill.
  4. Grill the beef on both sides until medium-well, 3 to 5 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. Don’t crowd the skillet or foil, so do this in batches if necessary. As you finish each batch, transfer it to a serving platter and continue with the remaining beef.
  5. Serve the bulgogi on top of steamed rice. Garnish with green onion and toasted sesame seeds and spoon the cucumber kimchi salad alongside.
  6. Store the leftover bulgogi and cucumber kimchi salad in separate covered containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  7. NOTE: My mom usually has the butcher slice the beef for this dish when she buys it. If you live near a Korean market, they often sell packages of sliced rib-eye or top sirloin; sometimes they’re even marked specifically for bulgogi. If you buy big pieces to cut yourself, freeze the meat for about 30 minutes before cutting so that it’s easier to slice thinly and cut against the grain.
  8. TIP: Gochugaru, or Korean red pepper, is commonly used in kimchi. It adds precisely the right amount of heat and unique flavor to the cucumber salad. Authentic Korean brands are readily available at Asian grocery stores or online, and the McCormick spice company packages it as well.

Tags:

  • Salad
  • Korean
  • Cucumber
  • Green Onion/Scallion
  • Sesame Oil
  • Soy Sauce
  • Beef
  • Vinegar
  • Entree

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Cailey

  • g

  • learnhowtocook

  • Marcia Stevens

Popular on Food52

4 Reviews

Cailey November 16, 2021

This meal was so comforting and filling! And it was a hit across the board (definitely toddler friendly). I made a few tweaks to fit what I had in the pantry and it still turned out delicious (I nixed the sparkling wine/juice and swapped sesame seeds for sesame oil, pan seared the meat on the stovetop and added steamed broccoli and onion to the pan at the end, then served with steamed rice; I didn't include the cucumber salad.) This meal will be added to our weekly rotation!

g June 25, 2021

I served this salad to the Fam and they loved it! Now it’s always in the fridge!!!

learnhowtocook June 10, 2019

I didn’t make meat, only salad. So delicious and easy to make!

Marcia S. May 12, 2018

Sounds wonderful and delicious. I will plan to make that soon!

Mom’s Bulgogi with Cucumber Kimchi Salad Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What can I eat with cucumber kimchi? ›

My favorite way to eat this kind of cucumber kimchi is as part of an assortment of banchan, with fresh steamed white rice. But it also slays alongside a katsu or schnitzel or fried chicken or other breaded and fried meat. Or eat it anywhere/anytime you would enjoy a crisp dill pickle spear.

Can you eat bulgogi with kimchi? ›

WHAT TO SERVE WITH. Serve the bulgogi with some steamed Korean rice and with other Korean side dishes. You can also use some lettuce leaves and perilla leaves to wrap the bulgogi. Don't forget to pair it with some Korean ssamjang (Korean bbq dipping sauce) and some kimchi (spicy or non-spicy) too!

What is cucumber kimchi made of? ›

Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise and then crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick half moons. Place in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly with salt. Let stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, combine garlic, scallions, ginger, vinegar, chile powder, sugar and fish sauce in a medium nonreactive bowl.

How to make frozen bulgogi? ›

Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to use, thaw beef in the refrigerator overnight. Drain off any excess liquid from the bag. Cook bulgogi in skillet with oil over high heat for 4 to 6 minutes, flipping halfway through, and serve.

How healthy is cucumber kimchi? ›

Early research suggests kimchi may strengthen your immune system. The bacteria in kimchi are linked to improved immune function and lower levels of inflammation triggered by diseases. The vitamin C found in kimchi can also help boost your immune health.

Is cucumber kimchi good for gut health? ›

Traditional kimchi is a good source of probiotics, or good bacteria that help to promote a good balance of bacteria in the gut,” Lord says. Research supports this notion, suggesting that eating probiotic foods such as kimchi may help restore a balance between healthy and unhealthy bacteria in the gut.

When should you not eat kimchi? ›

Kimchi spoilage and over-fermentation

It will continue to ferment at a cool temperature. If kimchi over-ferments, it will have a very vinegary odor and taste. It is not pleasant to eat raw, so it is often used for soups and stews. If any fermentation gets soft and slimy, then it is a sign of spoilage.

What is traditionally served with bulgogi? ›

Bulgogi is typically served with steamed rice, lettuce wraps, chili sauce, and other traditional Korean accompaniments. Bulgogi is an easy dish to make at home.

Why do Koreans eat bulgogi? ›

From 1910 to 1945, Korea was under Japanese rule, and serious beef shortages swept the nation. As a result, beef prices soared, and the prominence of the bulgogi dish waned. By the 1990s, however, the dish's popularity rebounded. It is collectively known as one of the most popular foods in Korea today.

How long can cucumber kimchi last in the fridge? ›

The recipe I offer you today is easy, fun to make, and tasty to eat right away, though for the best health benefits it can be fermented for up two days, then stored in the fridge for up to 6 months. This kimchi can be made with summer squash or zucchini as well.

Does cucumber kimchi need to be refrigerated? ›

Up to one week in the fridge. Store leftover kimchi in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. This dish is best served chilled after marinating overnight for a well-rounded balanced flavor. Because it stores well for a full week, it's a great option to make in larger batches so it's ready ahead of time.

Why is my cucumber kimchi bitter? ›

Lack of Fermentation

Freshly made Kimchi usually have a slight bitter aftertaste when compared to fermented packed ones sold in Supermarkets. This is because JIN Kimchi is made fresh daily and it's so fresh it has not had enough time to ferment.

What is the best meat for bulgogi? ›

Bulgogi is typically made with almost paper-thin slices of the most tender cuts of beef. Rib-eye is the most common cut of beef with top sirloin coming in a close second.

How do Koreans eat bulgogi? ›

Korean beef bulgogi takes very little time to throw together and you can serve it over rice, on top of a salad, rolled up in lettuce leaves or in my Korean Bulgogi Sandwich with Spicy Cucumbers & Cheddar. There are a lot of common ingredients included in this recipe and you probably already have at least half on hand.

What are the three types of bulgogi? ›

There are three main regional styles of bulgogi: Gwangyang, Eonyang, and Seoul. Gwangyang, a city in Jeollanam-do in the.

What should I eat kimchi with? ›

As the national dish of South Korea, kimchi is a staple in kitchens around the world. This fermented cabbage dish can be served as a side dish, over a bed of rice, folded into scrambled eggs, whirred into tomato sauce, or even just eaten as is.

What is kimchi traditionally eaten with? ›

As a traditional side dish, Kimchi is almost always served along with other side dishes in most Korean family households and restaurants. Kimchi can be eaten alone or with white or brown rice, but it is also included in recipes of other traditional dishes, including porridges, soups, and rice cakes.

What is usually served with kimchi? ›

Korean cuisine offers a whole range of dishes that incorporate kimchi and its brining liquid (sometimes referred to as its "juice"), including soups, stews, noodles, and savory pancakes. But don't feel boxed in by its origins, because kimchi's tangy, spicy, and savory notes can go with almost anything.

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