Dish guides · Korean

Is beef bulgogi healthy?

Beef bulgogi costs about $4.46 a serving to make at home at typical US grocery prices. For lower LDL, go easy on thinly sliced beef.
We've cooked it 1 times in our own kitchen this year.

By health goal

Lower LDL
In moderation
Go easy on thinly sliced beef; using less keeps the dish and helps with lower LDL. Sesame oil helps.
Steadier blood sugar
Neutral
It's neutral for steadier blood sugar: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.
Lower blood pressure
Watch the sauce
Nothing in the main ingredients works against lower blood pressure. Most of the salt in dishes like this comes from the sauce, so go light on soy sauce or use a low-sodium one.
Weight loss
Neutral
It's neutral for weight loss: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.
More protein
Neutral
It's neutral for more protein: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.

Allergies and diets

Contains: sesame
Usually in the seasoning: wheat / gluten (soy sauce) · soy (soy sauce), as is usual in Korean cooking.
Vegetarian
No
No: it has thinly sliced beef.
Vegan
No
No: it has thinly sliced beef.
Gluten-free
With a swap
Not as usually made. Use tamari (gluten-free soy sauce) for the soy sauce.
Dairy-free
Yes
Yes, going by its ingredients.
Going by ingredient names. Packaged sauces can hide allergens, so check the labels.

For LDL cholesterol, with sources

1 of 5
LDL habits in this dish
Soluble fiber (oats, barley, beans, eggplant, okra, fruit)
Fish, ideally oily (salmon, mackerel, sardines)
Soy or beans in place of some meat
✓
Nuts, seeds, olive oil or avocado
Little fatty meat, cream, butter or cheese
Helps your LDL
sesame oil
Unsaturated fat that can lower LDL.
Mayo Clinic
Go easy
thinly sliced beef
Red and processed meat: saturated fat raises LDL.
American Heart Association
One swap each, same dish
thinly sliced beef to thinly sliced chicken thigh or firm tofu
Works the same in hot pot, stir fries and donburi

What goes in (per portion)

thinly sliced beef
¼ lb
yellow onion
¼
green onion
¼ bunch
garlic
¼ head
sesame oil
½ tbsp
rice mix
¼ cup
We usually serve it with korean bean sprouts, kimchi, spinach namul.

Questions

Is beef bulgogi healthy?

Beef bulgogi costs about $4.46 a serving to make at home at typical US grocery prices. For lower LDL, go easy on thinly sliced beef.

Is beef bulgogi good for high cholesterol?

In moderation. Go easy on thinly sliced beef; using less keeps the dish and helps with lower LDL. Sesame oil helps.

Is beef bulgogi OK for blood sugar or diabetes?

It's neutral for steadier blood sugar: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.

Is beef bulgogi OK for high blood pressure?

Mostly, depending on the sauce. Nothing in the main ingredients works against lower blood pressure. Most of the salt in dishes like this comes from the sauce, so go light on soy sauce or use a low-sodium one.

Is beef bulgogi good for weight loss?

It's neutral for weight loss: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.

Is beef bulgogi high in protein?

It's neutral for more protein: nothing in it stands out either way. Add a side of vegetables or beans to make it work harder for you.

How much does beef bulgogi cost to make at home?

About $4.46 a serving, or $17.86 for four servings, at typical US grocery prices: the part of each ingredient the dish uses, plus $0.25 a serving for oil, salt and spices.

How can I make beef bulgogi healthier?

Use less thinly sliced beef, and add a vegetable side, like spinach or broccoli.

Is beef bulgogi gluten-free?

Not as usually made. Use tamari (gluten-free soy sauce) for the soy sauce.

Is beef bulgogi vegetarian?

No: it has thinly sliced beef.

Is beef bulgogi dairy-free?

Yes, going by its ingredients.

What allergens are in beef bulgogi?

Its ingredients have sesame. The soy sauce usual in Korean cooking adds wheat / gluten and soy. Always check the labels on sauces and packaged foods.

Plan a week of dishes like this

Eat Healthy AF plans your week of home cooking around your health goals, with one shopping list and the cost of each meal. Free for 14 days, no card needed.
General nutrition information, not medical advice, based on each dish's main ingredients as we cook it; sauces and salt vary by recipe. Prices are typical US grocery prices and vary by store.
Eat Healthy AF is general nutrition information, not medical advice. It doesn't diagnose or treat anything. Keep your doctor in the loop, and don't change any medication without them.