Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4

Essential Ingredients for Your Sheet Pan Beef Bulgogi

Crafting the perfect bulgogi begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the dish’s signature flavor profile, balancing sweetness, savory notes, and a hint of tang. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 1/2 pounds ribeye steak, thinly sliced: Ribeye is ideal for bulgogi due to its excellent marbling, which contributes to its tenderness and rich flavor. Thin slicing is key for quick cooking and optimal marinade absorption.
• 1/4 cup soy sauce: The foundation of our savory marinade, providing essential umami and saltiness. Opt for a low-sodium variety if preferred.
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar: This adds the characteristic sweetness to bulgogi, helping to tenderize the meat and create a beautiful caramelized crust during baking.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic is indispensable in Korean cooking, offering a pungent, aromatic depth that complements the beef perfectly.
• 1 inch piece of ginger, grated: Fresh ginger introduces a zesty, slightly spicy note that brightens the marinade and aids in tenderizing the meat.
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil: A cornerstone of Korean flavors, sesame oil provides a distinct nutty aroma and rich depth that ties all the ingredients together.
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar: Adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness and savory elements, enhancing the overall complexity of the marinade.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper: Offers a mild, earthy heat that complements the other spices without overpowering the delicate balance.
• 1 medium onion, sliced: Onions become wonderfully tender and sweet when baked, adding another layer of flavor and texture to the dish.
• 2 green onions, chopped: Used as a fresh garnish, green onions provide a mild onion flavor and a vibrant pop of color.
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds: These add a delicate crunch and nutty finish, enhancing both the visual appeal and taste.
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes for heat: For those who appreciate a spicy kick, red pepper flakes (such as gochugaru, if available, or standard crushed red pepper) can be added to customize the heat level.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Delicious Sheet Pan Beef Bulgogi

Follow these straightforward steps to create a truly memorable meal that’s bursting with authentic Korean flavors, all made effortlessly on a single pan.

1. Preparation: Setting the Stage for Flavor
   Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the oven is at the optimal temperature for the beef to cook quickly and evenly, achieving a desirable caramelized exterior without drying out. While the oven heats, take a large mixing bowl and combine the key components of your bulgogi marinade: soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until the brown sugar is fully dissolved and the marinade is well-blended. This meticulously crafted marinade is the heart of our bulgogi, designed to infuse the beef with a perfect harmony of sweet, savory, umami, and a subtle hint of spice. It’s the secret to achieving that rich, complex flavor profile that makes bulgogi so irresistible.
2. Marinate the Beef: Infusing Every Slice with Taste
   With your luscious marinade ready, add the thinly sliced ribeye steak to the bowl. It’s crucial to ensure each delicate piece of beef is thoroughly coated with the marinade. Use your hands or a spoon to gently toss the beef, making sure no slice is left unbathed in the flavorful mixture. This intimate contact allows the marinade to penetrate the meat fibers, maximizing flavor absorption and tenderization. While thin slices of ribeye absorb flavor quickly, allowing the beef to marinate for at least 10 minutes is essential. If time allows, you can extend the marinating time to 30 minutes at room temperature, or even up to an hour in the refrigerator, for an even deeper flavor penetration, though for this quick recipe, 10 minutes is perfectly sufficient.
3. Prepare the Vegetables: A Fresh Addition
   While your beef is soaking up all the delicious flavors of the marinade, dedicate a few moments to preparing your fresh vegetables. Carefully slice the medium onion into thin, even strips. The thinness ensures they cook through and become delightfully tender alongside the beef. Next, chop the green onions, reserving them for a fresh garnish at the very end. If you’re a fan of a little extra warmth and spice, now is the time to sprinkle the red pepper flakes into your marinating beef and onion mix, giving them a chance to meld with the other flavors. Consider adding other thinly sliced vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms at this stage if you wish to expand your sheet pan meal.
4. Assemble on the Sheet Pan: The One-Pan Wonder
   Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for effortless cleanup – a true benefit of sheet pan cooking! Spread the marinated beef evenly across the prepared baking sheet. It’s important to arrange the beef in a single layer as much as possible to ensure even cooking and promote beautiful caramelization rather than steaming. Overcrowding the pan can lead to the meat steaming instead of browning, resulting in a less desirable texture. Once the beef is spread, scatter the sliced onions generously over and around the beef. The onions will release moisture and caramelize, contributing a wonderful sweetness and aroma to the bulgogi as it bakes.
5. Bake to Perfection: The Heart of the Process
   Carefully place the sheet pan into your preheated oven. Let the magic happen for about 20 minutes. During this time, the beef will cook through, becoming incredibly tender, and the marinade will caramelize, creating those irresistible slightly crispy edges and a rich, glazed finish. The onions will soften and sweeten, complementing the savory beef. Keep an eye on the bulgogi as oven temperatures can vary. The beef should be fully cooked, with no pink remaining, and the onions should be tender and slightly translucent. If you prefer a more pronounced char or crispiness, you can briefly switch the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching it very closely to prevent burning.
6. Final Touches: Aromatic Garnish and Texture
   Once the bulgogi has reached its tender, caramelized perfection, carefully remove the sheet pan from the oven. This step is where you add those crucial finishing touches that elevate the dish from great to extraordinary. Generously sprinkle the freshly chopped green onions over the cooked bulgogi. Their vibrant green color and mild, crisp freshness provide a delightful contrast to the rich, savory beef. Follow this with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Toasted sesame seeds offer a deeper, nuttier flavor, but plain sesame seeds are also wonderful. These garnishes not only add a beautiful visual appeal but also introduce fresh, aromatic, and subtly nutty dimensions that complete the bulgogi experience.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Your Korean Feast Awaits
   Your incredibly flavorful and easy Sheet Pan Beef Bulgogi is now ready to be savored! Serve it hot and fresh, immediately after removing it from the oven. The traditional and most popular accompaniment is a generous bowl of fluffy steamed white rice, which perfectly soaks up all the delicious bulgogi juices. To create a more complete and authentic Korean meal, consider serving it with a side of kimchi for a spicy, fermented kick, or other Korean banchan (side dishes) like pickled radishes or seasoned spinach. For an interactive and fun eating experience, provide fresh lettuce leaves for making individual lettuce wraps, a common and beloved way to enjoy bulgogi. This not only rounds out the meal but also provides a refreshing counterpoint to the rich flavors of the bulgogi.