This sweet and savory Korean Beef Bulgogi recipe on green leaf lettuce is gluten-free, sugar-free, and soy-free. Not only is it healthy, but it is also refreshingly budget-friendly if you are doing Paleo, Whole30, and/or AIP. Get ready to add this to your weeknight family favorites!
What is Korean Beef Bulgogi?
If you’re looking to spice up your meal prep, Korean Beef Bulgogi is a perfect option for any day of the week. It is a popular dish in Korea most often found at Korean BBQ restaurant menus. Serve it grilled or cooked on a stovetop griddle for tastier results. Korean Beef Bulgogi is best with shaved meat marinated overnight.
What is the best thin-cut beef for Korean Beef Bulgogi?
By using thinly-cut steak and allowing the marinade to marry the flavors together, you are also tenderizing the beef cut. However, because it is not a thick-cut, overcooking the meat is not as forgiving. I have found that chuck eye steak or skirt steak yielded tender results. If you find a pre-cut Philadelphia steak, that works too!
Use this Steak Guide to Thinly Cut Beef or refer to Samin Nosrat’s Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking for more in-depth tips.
How to Make Beef Bulgogi Marinade:
This recipe is easy as combining all the ingredients into one pan, but the key ingredients may typically not fall into Paleo, Whole30, or AIP-approved lists because of the sugar, soy, and nightshade content.
What is the Gochujang Marinade?
First of all, Gochujang sauce is famously used in Korea for their octopus dish but this fermented red chili paste goes well with almost everything. I am not surprised if they have added this to desserts as well, it’s that good!
However, Gochujang is primarily made with Gochu-Garu (chili powder), rice powder, and meju-garu (fermented soybean powder). Most manufacturers of Gochujang do not take allergens into consideration and you may even get disappointed if you read their labels because of the added preservatives. If you like to explore more natural alternatives to Gochujang, check out this Gochujang Substitute Guide.
Is there a Paleo or Whole30 Gochujang Option?
YES! I was ecstatic to find one at Cardiff Seaside Market in San Diego. I had not seen one at my local Sprouts and Frazier Farms, but I found that Amazon also distributes them if you don’t have one near you. Coconut Secret has surprised me once again. It’s made with coconut aminos and there is no sugar cane.
Coconut Secret Soy-Free Gochujang Sauce – Coconut Aminos, Organic, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, No Cane Sugar, Vegan – 8 Fl Oz
Is there an AIP Gochujang Replacement?
Because Gochujang is made with chili powder and nightshades are forbidden on the elimination phase, omitting Gochujang for the marinade is best. However, do not worry because the first time I made this I did not even realize I was missing the spice. The key is accomplishing a sweet and savory balance.
Is Ajinomoto Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Paleo, Whole30, or AIP-approved?
This flavor enhancer that’s been villainized for decades is actually Whole30-approved! Don’t take my word for it, founder of Whole30, Michelle Urban, explains her findings on MSG.
Read more on “Whole30 Rule Change: MSG is No Longer Off-Limits.”
Serve this versatile healthy Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wrap with my Korean Japchae recipe and you will never have to go back on a long wait for a Korean BBQ restaurant ever again!
Korean Beef Bulgogi on Green Leaf Lettuce Tacos
Equipment
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb thin sliced beef chuck roll or skirt steak
- ¼ cup coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp date syrup
- 1 tbsp Coconut Secret Gochujang soy-free
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- 1 inch knob of ginger
- ½ onion
- ¼ tsp Ajinomoto Monosodium Glutamate optional
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds toasted for garnish
- 4 green onions garnish
- 1 green leaf lettuce
Instructions
For the marinade:
- Combine coconut aminos, white wine vinegar, date syrup, gochujang, sesame oil, grated garlic, grated ginger, sliced onions, msg, and thinly sliced beef. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
Cooking Instructions:
- On a dry skillet, turn on burner to medium heat. After a minute, add sesame seeds and toast for 2-3 minutes until it pops. Stir frequently. Remove from heat. Set aside with sliced green onions for garnish.
- On the same pan, add avocado oil. Add marinated beef and cook for 6-8 minutes. Stir frequently.
- Prepare green leaf lettuce by separating, washing and drying them. Set aside.
- Remove pan from the heat and let it rest for a minute. Serve on lettuce taco, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, then serve.
