You can't talk about classic Korean dishes without mentioning bulgogi. It's one of the most well-loved foods by locals and foreigners alike and in fact, has become a frequent go-to for many home cooks. Bulgogi can be served in several different ways, and one of them is a lettuce wrap. Perfect for those who are looking for a healthy meal or simply want to enjoy a new way of savouring bulgogi, this dish is easy to put together and should be one of your top weeknight meal choices whenever you're in a crunch. So prepare to sink your teeth into juicy, mouthwatering beef with this halal bulgogi lettuce wrap recipe ?
Ingredients (serves 4-6)
For the meat
- 1-1 ½ lb rib-eye steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup yellow onion, halved and sliced into moon shapes
- 2 scallions, sliced into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
For the marinade
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- ¼ cup pear, coarsely grated for tenderizing beef (you can substitute with a ¼ cup of Coca-Cola)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp ginger, minced
For the lettuce wraps
- 1 head of butter or romaine lettuce
- 1 scallion, finely sliced
- 2 cups cooked rice
Directions
- If you're slicing your own meat, pop it in the freezer for about 20 to 30 minutes so that it slices easier. Trim the excess fat and slice it as thinly as possible while cutting against the grain. But if you're using pre-sliced meat, simply separate the pieces and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the marinade and whisk together. Then add beef, scallion and onion slices to the marinade and toss everything together, making sure the meat is coated thoroughly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight, the longer the better!).
- Remove the meat from the fridge 30 minutes before you plan to start cooking so it can warm slightly. In a large skillet, add cooking oil and heat over medium-high heat. Place a few slices of beef into the pan in a single layer, laying them flat. Cook on one side for 1 to 2 minutes, then flip them over to the other side and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Do these in batches until you've cooked all your meat.
- Plate your bulgogi and serve right away with a bowl of hot rice (optional) or make lettuce wraps.
- For the lettuce wraps, simply place a spoonful of rice onto each lettuce leaf. Then, add a strip or two of bulgogi, garnish with scallions and a dressing of your choice if you'd like. Wrap the sides up and enjoy!
In just one bite, savour tender and flavorful bulgogi with fluffy white rice that's all wrapped up in a crunchy, fresh lettuce ?