Korean BBQ Beef Tacos Kimchi (Printable Version)

Bulgogi beef and kimchi bring bright flavors layered in soft tortillas for a Korean-Mexican twist.

# What You Need:

→ Beef & Marinade

01 - 1 pound flank steak or ribeye, thinly sliced across the grain
02 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
04 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
05 - 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
08 - 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Tacos & Toppings

11 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
12 - 1 cup napa cabbage kimchi, chopped and well-drained
13 - 1 cup shredded lettuce or cabbage
14 - 1 small carrot, julienned
15 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
16 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
17 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

→ Optional Sauce

18 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
19 - 1 tablespoon Sriracha or gochujang
20 - 1 teaspoon lime juice

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, gochujang, and black pepper together in a medium mixing bowl. Add sliced beef and green onions; toss well to coat. Marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
02 - Preheat a large skillet or grill pan over high heat. Add the marinated beef in a single layer. Cook each side for 2 to 3 minutes, until nicely browned and just cooked through. If necessary, work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
03 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in a low oven until warm and flexible.
04 - Place a layer of shredded lettuce or cabbage onto each tortilla. Top with cooked beef, a spoonful of kimchi, carrot strips, cilantro leaves, and a pinch of toasted sesame seeds.
05 - Combine mayonnaise, Sriracha or gochujang, and lime juice in a small bowl. Mix until smooth and drizzle over assembled tacos, if desired.
06 - Serve tacos immediately accompanied by lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Quick to prepare using everyday pantry and fridge ingredients
  • Bold fusion flavors that stand out at any meal
  • Customizable with toppings for different spice levels and textures
  • Marinade does double duty by tenderizing and infusing the beef with deep Korean flavors
02 -
  • High in protein and packed with bold taste
  • Completely dairy free and easy to make gluten free
  • Layering hot beef over cold kimchi and veggies creates an irresistible contrast
  • Fresh kimchi is my absolute favorite ingredient here. It brings a fizzy crunch that wakes up every ingredient and turns each bite into something exciting. Once my husband tried it with pickled daikon for extra crunch, he insisted we never skip that addition
03 -
  • Searing the beef quickly and in small batches keeps it juicy with a caramelized crust
  • Always squeeze fresh lime on top right before eating. The acid pulls everything together and wakes up the flavors. If using store bought kimchi, taste it for spice and salt, adjust your toppings to balance

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