How to Cook Delicious Beef Bulgogi from Costco

Beef bulgogi from Costco is a quick and easy way to enjoy the flavors of Korean barbecue right at home. This pre-marinated thin sliced beef cooks up fast and pairs perfectly with rice and veggies for a flavorful complete meal.

As a Korean food lover, I was excited to try Costco’s take on this classic dish. While not completely authentic, Costco’s bulgogi beef captures the sweet and savory essence of traditional bulgogi with much less prep work involved.

In this article, I’ll share my experiences cooking up this ready-to-go beef and provide some tips and tricks for getting the most out of Costco’s bulgogi.

For those unfamiliar, bulgogi is a popular Korean dish of thin slices of marinated beef. The term “bulgogi” actually means “fire meat” in Korean referring to the cooking method of grilling the beef over high heat.

The marinade used for bulgogi is key to infusing the beef with that iconic sweet, savory, and slightly spicy Korean barbecue flavor profile. It typically contains a blend of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, sesame oil, green onions, pear juice, and other aromatics.

When cooking bulgogi, the goal is to sear the marinated beef quickly to caramelize the exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. It is then served alongside rice, kimchi, lettuce wraps, and other classic banchan (side dishes).

While bulgogi is traditionally made using ribeye or other premium beef cuts, Costco’s pre-marinated bulgogi provides a shortcut to Korean barbecue greatness.

Examining Costco’s Pre-Made Beef Bulgogi

Costco’s beef bulgogi comes in a plastic container weighing about 3 pounds. It contains thin slices of beef chuck roll, onions, and a pre-made sweet and salty Korean barbecue marinade.

Here’s a look at the key components of Costco’s bulgogi:

• Beef – Made from USDA choice grade chuck roll. Decently tender but not as premium as traditional cuts like ribeye.

• Onions – Sliced onions are included to add flavor and sweetness.

• Marinade – The ready-made marinade includes pear juice, soy sauce, garlic, and other classic Korean bulgogi seasonings.

The convenience factor is excellent with Costco’s bulgogi. All the slicing and marinating has already been done for you. The price point is also reasonable, costing around $7.50 per pound.

The only downside is the quality can’t compare to making your own from scratch with prime ribeye and a customized marinade. But for a quick weeknight meal, Costco’s bulgogi beef delivers solid value and flavor.

Tips for Cooking Costco’s Bulgogi Beef

Cooking up Costco’s pre-seasoned beef bulgogi is simple, but there are a few techniques I’ve learned that take it to the next level:

• Use a cast iron skillet – Get a nice sear on the marinated beef by using a cast iron pan on the stovetop. This adds great charred flavors.

• Cook in batches – Avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook the bulgogi in batches for the best caramelization.

• Keep some marinade aside – The beef can get dried out, so have some extra marinade on hand to add as you cook.

• Add mushrooms or veggies – For extra flavor and nutrition, throw in mushrooms, broccoli, carrots or other veggies.

• Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions – This adds some freshness and texture to balance out the saucy beef.

• Let the meat rest – After cooking, let the bulgogi rest for 5 minutes before serving for perfectly juicy results.

With these simple tricks, Costco’s bulgogi goes from pre-made to restaurant-quality Korean barbecue. The ingredients may be humble, but the huge umami flavor can’t be beat.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Cooking Costco’s Bulgogi

Here is a simple walkthrough for cooking up Costco’s beef bulgogi from start to finish:

Prep the ingredients

• Take the beef bulgogi out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before cooking.

• Give the marinated beef a quick mix or toss to evenly coat all the slices.

• Thinly slice some green onions for garnish.

Cook the beef

• Heat a cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.

• Add a drizzle of oil or cooking spray to lightly coat the pan.

• Working in batches, add the marinated beef slices in an even layer. Do not overcrowd.

• Let the beef cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until nicely browned.

• Flip and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes.

• If the pan looks dry, add a splash of the leftover marinade.

• Transfer the cooked beef to a plate. Repeat with remaining beef.

Finish and Serve

• Let the cooked bulgogi rest for 5 minutes before serving.

• Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

• Serve alongside steamed rice, kimchi, lettuce wraps, and other desired banchan.

• Enjoy the addictive sweet and salty Korean barbecue flavors! Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.

With Costco’s pre-seasoned beef bulgogi, it only takes about 15 active minutes of cooking time start to finish. The convenience combined with the delicious flavors make this a go-to quick dinner in my home.

Cooking Costco’s Bulgogi in the Oven or Instant Pot

While stovetop is my preferred cooking method, Costco’s bulgogi can also be prepared in the oven or Instant Pot with slightly adapted techniques:

Oven Method

• Preheat oven to 400°F.

• Place bulgogi on a baking sheet in a single layer.

• Bake for 15 minutes, remove and stir/flip beef.

• Return to oven for 10-15 more minutes until cooked through.

Instant Pot Method

• Place bulgogi in pot and add 1⁄4 cup water.

• Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes.

• Quick release pressure and stir/mix beef.

• Set to sauté mode and let reduce and thicken for 2-3 minutes.

While these hands-off methods won’t achieve the nice sear of stovetop cooking, they can still deliver tasty results in 20-30 minutes. So break out the Instant Pot or fire up the oven if the stovetop isn’t an option.

Serving Suggestions for Costco’s Bulgogi

Costco’s pre-seasoned beef bulgogi is tasty on its own, but pairing it with some classic Korean sides and sauces really takes the meal to the next level:

• Steamed rice – The perfect base for absorbing the bulgogi flavors.

• Kimchi – Spicy, sour kimchi cuts through the richness.

• Lettuce wraps – Wrap the bulgogi in crisp lettuce leaves with rice and sauce.

• Ssamjang – This savory Korean dipping sauce adds a spicy-sweet kick.

• Quick-pickled cucumbers – Cool, crunchy contrast to the tender beef.

• Sesame oil and chili flakes – Extra flavor enhancers.

With the right accompaniments, Costco’s bulgogi goes from quick weeknight dinner to a hearty feast with authentic Korean flavors. Get creative mixing and matching different banchan and sauces.

Storing and Freezing Costco’s Bulgogi

As Costco’s bulgogi kit contains 3 pounds of meat, you likely won’t use it all up at once. Thankfully the pre-marinated beef stores well:

• Refrigerate – Leftover cooked or uncooked bulgogi will last 5-7 days refrigerated.

• Freezer – The beef can be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight before cooking.

• Storage containers – Use airtight containers or resealable bags for easy grabbing and reheating.

With proper storage, you can enjoy Costco’s bulgogi multiple times throughout the week or month. Just thaw, cook, and add fresh toppings as desired.

Is Costco’s Bulgogi Worth It?

At the end of the day, is Costco’s pre-seasoned beef bulgogi worth purchasing? Here is my final verdict:

Pros:

• Convenient and fast – Minimal prep work required

• Good price point – Approximately $7.50 per pound

• Tasty flavors – Classic bulgogi sweet and salty profile

• Versatile uses – Excellent in stir-fries, lettuce wraps, rice bowls

Cons:

• Lower quality beef – Not the prime cuts used traditionally

• Some preservatives – To extend shelf life

• Less customizable – Can’t tweak marinade to taste

Overall, I would certainly recommend picking up Costco’s beef bulgogi, especially for busy home cooks looking for a quick and easy dinner solution. While it may not be gourmet, the pre-marinated beef delivers on convenience and Korean barbecue flavor. I always keep a pack stocked in my freezer for impromptu bulgogi nights.

With a few simple cooking tricks and flavor enhancers, Costco’s affordable bulgogi can be transformed into a truly craveable meal the whole family will love. Give it a try for a tasty Korean food experience minus the lengthy prep.