Banana Bulgogi, Korean Beef with Banana

“Banana Bulgogi?”  Do you mean banana in Korean beef, Holly?

Okay, I know it sounds crazy but I want you to trust me with this one. If you would like to try a very unique and tasty Korean beef but can’t wait the several hours of long marinading time, I urge you to try this recipe. I came out accidentally.

I was taking out beef slices from the refrigerator the other day thinking of making bulgogi, and I had some banana that is over-ripening on the counter. Before I knew it, I was mashing one of the banana.

Like this… LOL!

I added all the usual bulgogi seasoning ingredients and mixed together.

Here is very thinly sliced Korean beef.

I added to the mixture along with onion and carrot. Mix all together with massaging motion to soak up the seasoning to the meat and vegetables.

At this point I let it sit them on the counter for 30 minutes.

I heated the skillet over high heat and added some portion, and stir-fried them quickly

Sprinkled some chopped green onion and toasted sesame seeds at last. Done~!

I was thrilled to taste it. The result? Very delicious!

Yes, I could taste the banana but it did not taste weird. It was pleasantly flavorful without overtaking the entire dish. Quite nice!

However, I wouldn’t let this marinade more than 30 minute though. Otherwise the banana in the marinade will bring slightly fermented flavor and it might not be as pleasant as you hoped for. Remember to cook within 30 minutes after you mixed, and you will have a fabulous Koran beef ready soon.

Quick and easy, this banana bulgogi will enter to my hall of the fame *The Busy Weeknight Meal* list. Do you think you would like to give it a shot? I do hope so.

~ Holly

Banana Bulgogi

Holly Ford

Add banana in your ordinary bulgogi to make it extra ordinary. You will only need 30 minutes of marinading time and a fabulous meal will be ready soon.

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Prep Time 40 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 1-1/2 lb paper thin sliced beef sirloin
• 1 medium ripe banana
• 1 small onion sliced
• 1 carrot sliced into thin matchsticks
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons Korean soy sauce for soup
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 green onion chopped
• 2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

 

• In a shallow pan, such as 9x13 baking dish, mash the banana in and add soy sauces, sugar, garlic, sesame oil, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
• Add the beef, onion, and carrot and mix well as you massage them to incorporate the seasoning to soak up. Let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes.
• Heat a skillet over high heat, add a portion of meat mixture just to cover the skillet without crowding too much. Stir-fry until the beef is cooked, about 2 minutes. Don't over cook the beef.
• Sprinkle with green onion and sesame seeds at last. Serve hot with rice.

Notes

Do not marinade the beef more than 30 minutes. Otherwise the banana in the marinade will ferment and won't be as pleasant as you hoped for.