Photo: Unsplash
Age: Around 15-18 months and up, with beef cut or shredded very small.
Korean bulgogi is traditionally marinated in a soy-and-pear based sauce and grilled until caramelized. This version dials back the sugar and sodium and keeps everything soft and finely cut, making it a good option for family dinner that both toddlers and adults can share.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb thinly sliced beef (sirloin or ribeye works well)
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon grated pear or apple (for natural sweetness and tenderizing)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Steamed rice and soft-cooked vegetables (carrot, spinach, bean sprouts), to serve
Instructions
- Combine soy sauce, grated pear, garlic, and sesame oil in a bowl. Add the beef and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat and cook the beef in batches, 2-3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through.
- Let the beef rest, then cut or shred into small, toddler-appropriate pieces.
- Serve over rice with soft-cooked vegetables on the side or mixed in.
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Keeping it toddler-friendly
The main adjustments from a traditional adult bulgogi are less soy sauce, no added sugar (the grated pear provides natural sweetness), and cutting the cooked beef into small, easy-to-chew pieces rather than serving whole strips.
Make-ahead tip
The beef can marinate overnight in the fridge, which deepens the flavor and makes this an easy meal to pull together quickly on a busy evening.
