Bulgogi Beef Tacos with Pickled Red Onions
Tender bulgogi beef in warm corn tortillas with sharp pickled red onions, coriander and lime.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Corn tortillas from masa harina and Bulgogi marinade. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min (plus marinating)
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.63 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Make sure your bulgogi marinade, corn tortillas and pickled red onions are ready (see the base recipes). Spoon 30 ml of marinade into a clean bowl and keep it aside.
- 2
Mix the sliced beef with the other 90 ml of marinade. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
- 3
Heat a large frying pan or griddle until very hot. Add half the oil and cook half the beef in a single layer for 2 minutes, turning once, until browned and cooked through. Take out and repeat with the rest.
4 min - 4
Pour the reserved clean marinade into the pan with a splash of water and bubble for 30 seconds, then toss with the beef.
- 5
Warm the tortillas in a dry pan for 30 seconds on each side and keep them wrapped in a clean tea towel.
- 6
Fill the tortillas with beef and pickled red onions. Finish with coriander, spring onions, sesame seeds and lime.
Tips
- Freeze the steak for 30 minutes before slicing and the slices will come out thin and even.
- Cook the beef in batches in a very hot pan. A crowded pan steams the meat.
- Use the reserved clean marinade for a glaze, never the marinade that touched raw beef.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Cool leftover beef within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Which cut of beef works best?
Sirloin, ribeye or rump, sliced very thin. Thin slices cook in minutes and stay tender.
Can I use flour tortillas?
Yes, but they contain gluten. Corn tortillas keep the tacos gluten free and add a sweet corn flavour.
Can I swap the beef?
Thin pork or chicken thigh strips also work. Cook chicken for 5 to 6 minutes until no pink remains.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Jerk Jackfruit Tacos with Pickled Red Onions
VGVGFTacos de Carnitas con Cebolla Encurtida (Carnitas Tacos)
DFEFNFEmpanadas de Frijoles Refritos y Queso (Refried Bean Empanadas)
NFTacos de Pescado Ahumado (Smoked Mackerel Tacos)
GFEFNFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.