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This Beef Bulgogi Bowl has everything you love about Korean bulgogi—sweet, savory, and caramelized beef—made Whole30 compliant. With shaved steak, a naturally sweet marinade, and a few simple toppings, this Korean beef bowl comes together fast, with big flavor in every bite.

Learn how to get a restaurant-quality sear for tender beef, plus tips on marinating and preventing a watery sauce. Just like my quick ground beef bulgogi, this dish goes perfectly with my Whole30 gochujang!

Feature image shows a bowl of bulgogi beef with side dish pairings.

Main Ingredient Notes

For a tender and juicy Korean beef bowl, selecting the right cut of meat is key. Pay attention to these healthy swaps to achieve the perfect savory-sweet flavor in this Korean meat bowl. Check the full recipe card below for exact quantities and instructions.

  • Shaved steak (or thinly sliced sirloin/ribeye)
    Shaved steak is ideal because it’s ultra-thin, easy to marinate, and cooks in minutes. You can find pre-sliced shaved beef at stores like Trader Joe’s or butcher shops. If you’re slicing your own, partially freezing the steak for 30 minutes makes it easier to cut thin, even slices against the grain.
  • Coconut aminos + apple juice
    Coconut aminos replace soy sauce for a salty-sweet base in this bulgogi sauce. The apple juice adds natural sweetness to balance the savory flavors without using any added sugars. This combo keeps the marinade rich, balanced, and compliant.
  • Whole30 gochujang paste
    Traditional gochujang contains rice and sugar, but this version blends dates, coconut aminos, gochugaru, tomato paste, garlic, and apple cider vinegar into a thick, smoky, slightly spicy paste. It gives the bowls authentic bulgogi flavor with a touch of heat.

How to make a Bulgogi beef bowl

A great Korean BBQ bowl is all about tender, marinated beef that’s been seared properly. A marinade brings the flavor, and a large, hot pan gives you that caramelized crust without a Korean BBQ hot plate. My gluten-free gochujang ties it all together!

Step 1: Korean beef marinade for flavor and tenderness

Combine the shaved steak with coconut aminos, sesame oil, garlic, salt, apple juice, sliced shallots, onion powder, and olive oil. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for a deeper flavor. Avoid marinating longer than 24 hours to prevent the meat from turning mushy.

Step 2: Sear hot and fast to avoid watery beef

Getting a proper sear is what gives bulgogi its signature caramelized flavor. The key is high heat and plenty of surface area, so moisture evaporates quickly instead of steaming the meat. A large skillet (14 inches if possible) helps a lot. If your pan is smaller, sear in batches.

Get your pan nice and hot before adding the beef in a thin layer. You should hear an immediate sizzle—this means the heat is high enough to create that caramelized crust. The beef only needs a quick sear: about 1 minute on the first side, then a brief flip. If you cook it too long, the juices start to leak, and the beef turns chewy.

Tip: Turn off the heat and let the beef sit in the pan juices for a few minutes. This allows it to reabsorb flavor and stay juicy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 3: Assemble your bulgogi bowls

Spoon the beef into bowls, top with sesame seeds, scallions, and a generous spoonful of gochujang paste. Add your choice of vegetables and base (see below), and serve warm.

Beef bulgogi bowl topping ideas

The possibilities for building a Korean beef bowl are endless! Here are some ideas:

More Korean beef recipes to try

If you enjoyed this sweet and savory beef bowl, don’t miss these healthy and flavor-packed Korean dishes!

A close short image shows picking up a thin sliced bulgogi beef with chopsticks.
Recipe Card

Whole30 bulgogi bowl

5 from 18 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Marinate time: 30 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Healthy bulgogi beef bowl with tender beef marinated in Korean bulgogi sauce. Sweet, savory, and easy to make. Perfect for meal prep, too!
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Ingredients 
 

Whole30 bulgogi marinade:

  • 1 lb. shaved steak or thinly sliced sirloin or ribeye
  • 2.5 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 3 large garlic cloves grated
  • ½ tsp coarse sea salt
  • 2 tbsp apple juice
  • 2 large shallots thinly sliced lengthwise
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Other:

Bulgogi bowl topping choices:

  • Roasted butternut squash
  • Soft poached eggs or soy sauce eggs
  • Mixed baby leafy greens
  • Cauliflower rice or cooked white rice

Instructions 

Season and marinate the beef:

  • In a large food storage container, add the shaved beef along with all the seasonings, from coconut aminos to olive oil. Mix well, seal, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight.

Sear the beef:

  • Preheat a large 14-inch (36 cm) skillet over medium heat until hot (it should shimmer). Add 2 tablespoons of oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add the marinated beef and quickly spread it into a single layer. Turn the heat up to medium-high—you should hear a strong sizzle. That’s how you know the pan is hot enough to sear the beef without it steaming or losing too much juice.
  • Let the beef sear undisturbed for about 1 minute on the first side, then cook the flip side for about 30 seconds. If cooked too long, the beef may steam and turn tough or watery.
  • Turn off the heat. Taste and adjust—if you prefer it saltier, sprinkle a bit more salt. Let the beef rest in the pan juices for a few minutes to soak up more flavor as it cools slightly.

Assemble the bulgogi bowls:

  • Divide the beef into individual bowls. Garnish with sesame seeds and scallions, and a spoonful of gochujang paste. Add your choice of toppings—roasted squash, eggs, and mixed greens. To keep it Whole30-compliant, serve with cauliflower rice. If there’s any pan juice left, drizzle it over the top. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Shaved steak: You can find it pre-sliced at Trader Joe’s. It’s super thin, easy to season, and cooks fast.
  • If using a whole steak: Freeze it for 30 minutes first, then thinly slice it against the grain.
  • Why use a large pan: A 14-inch skillet gives you more surface area, so moisture evaporates quickly. This helps mimic the Korean BBQ-style sear—hot and fast—so the beef stays juicy and flavorful.
  • Why heat the pan first: A properly preheated pan helps the beef sear quickly without losing moisture. If the pan isn’t hot enough, it takes longer to cook, and the beef ends up stewing instead of caramelizing. This makes the texture less flavorful and more chewy.
  • Apple juice: Whole30 doesn’t allow added sugar, so we use apple juice as a natural sweetener. It balances the saltiness and adds moisture to the dish. Because of this extra liquid, it’s even more important to sear the beef correctly to avoid steaming.
  • Cook in smaller batches: Don’t overcrowd the pan. If needed, divide the meat into two batches to keep the sear strong and avoid soggy beef.
  • Storage: Store the cooked shaved beef in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. If you’re prepping ahead, you can marinate the raw beef up to 24 hours in advance, but don’t go beyond that or the texture might get too soft. For freezing, let the cooked beef cool completely, then freeze it in a flat layer for easy thawing. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months.
  • To reheat from the fridge, I recommend using a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth—just until warmed through. This keeps the beef juicy and prevents overcooking. You can also microwave in short bursts with a little water, or reheat in a low oven (around 300°F / 150°C) for about 8 to 10 minutes. Avoid high heat when reheating to keep the beef tender and not chewy.
  • For frozen leftovers, thaw overnight in the fridge first, then reheat using the same method as above.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 373kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 16g, Cholesterol: 69mg, Sodium: 521mg, Potassium: 373mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 48IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 21mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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23 Comments

  1. Sonya says:

    5 stars
    So so good! My husband groaned with delight when it tried it. We love bulgogi and this is amazing! Thank you! 

    1. ChihYu says:

      I’m glad you found this recipe! 😀

  2. Jane says:

    5 stars
    I have been craving some Korean food lately and when I saw that Chih-Yu Smith had a Korean beef bowl recipe, I knew I had to try it out! The ingredients in the recipe does the flavor justice and this dish smelled and tasted just like my childhood. I loved eating bulgogi growing up in my Korean household. Anyways, this recipe was so delicious!

    1. ChihYu says:

      That’s awesome! I’m so happy to hear!

  3. Mind Yo Beez says:

    5 stars
    This was so good!  Hubby and I loved it and will make again.  I made a few changes based on personal preference:
    -Marinated mixed mushroom blend (shiitake, cremini, portabella) with the sliced beef for 1 hour
    -added spicy chili paste for some heat
    -served over sautéed cauliflower rice
    -sautéed spiraled butternut squashed 
    -made a sunny side up egg because I can’t poach to save my life!

    1. ChihYu says:

      That sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing!

  4. Mimi says:

    5 stars
    This is wonderful recipe for meal prep. Definitely the bowl I would enjoy… many times! And that savory and sweet Korean bulgogi sauce is something special!

  5. Tina says:

    5 stars
    I have a hard time finding good Korean food near me in London, so I’ve been trying to cook it more. This is the exact type of recipe I’ve been wanting. Looks so good!

  6. Hope says:

    5 stars
    I loved the flavours in this! So tasty – will definitely be making again!

  7. Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says:

    5 stars
    I’ve been on such a Korean bowl kick lately and this looks incredible!

  8. Anne Lawton says:

    5 stars
    I am loving all of the flavors going on in this bowl!