Trader Joe's Recipes

Trader Joe’s Beefless Bulgogi Fried Rice Recipe

Trader Joe's Beefless Bulgogi Fried Rice Recipe

This Trader Joe’s Beefless Bulgogi Fried Rice is a savory and slightly sweet recipe, which is the perfect quick and easy way to transform the popular plant-based product into a satisfying one-pan meal. It’s a fantastic weeknight dinner, ready in about 20 minutes.

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Trader Joe’s Beefless Bulgogi Fried Rice Ingredients

For the Fried Rice:

  • 1 pack Trader Joe’s Beefless Bulgogi
  • 1 Cup cold, cooked rice (day-old rice is best)
  • 1 tbsp Sesame oil
  • Optional Veggies: broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, etc.
  • Optional: 1 clove garlic, minced

For the Sauce:

  • 1.5 tbsp Soy sauce, plus more to taste
  • 1.5 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)

For Garnish (Optional):

  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Sliced green onions
  • A fried egg

How To Make Trader Joe’s Beefless Bulgogi Fried Rice

  1. Cook the Bulgogi and Make the Sauce: Cook the frozen beefless bulgogi according to the package directions (either in an air fryer or microwave). While it’s cooking, whisk together the gochujang, soy sauce, and honey in a small bowl to create the sauce.
  2. Sear the Bulgogi: Heat the sesame oil in a wok or a large skillet over high heat. Add the cooked bulgogi and fry for 2-3 minutes until it gets slightly crispy at the edges.
  3. (Optional) Sauté the Vegetables: If you are using vegetables, remove the bulgogi from the wok and set it aside. In the same wok, stir-fry your chosen vegetables (and optional garlic) until they are crisp-tender. Add the bulgogi back to the wok.
  4. Add Rice and Combine: Add the day-old rice to the hot wok. Use a spatula to break up any clumps and stir-fry for a minute or two until the rice is heated through.
  5. Add Sauce and Serve: Pour the prepared sauce over the rice and bulgogi. Toss and mix everything together on high heat for 2 more minutes until the rice is evenly coated. Taste and add more soy sauce if needed. Serve immediately, topped with optional garnishes.
Trader Joe's Beefless Bulgogi Fried Rice Recipe
Trader Joe’s Beefless Bulgogi Fried Rice Recipe

Recipe Tips

  • Why use day-old rice? This is the most important secret to great fried rice! Day-old, refrigerated rice is drier and firmer, which allows the grains to separate and fry properly. Fresh, warm rice contains too much moisture and will steam, resulting in a mushy texture.
  • How to get the best flavor? High heat is key. Using a wok or a large skillet over high heat gives the rice and bulgogi that signature, slightly smoky “wok hei” flavor and prevents the ingredients from steaming.
  • Can I make this ahead of time? This dish is best eaten fresh, but leftovers are still delicious. The texture will be best if you reheat it in a hot skillet with a little oil.
  • How do I customize this dish? This is a fantastic base recipe. Feel free to add any quick-cooking vegetables you have on hand. For a more substantial meal, topping the finished fried rice with a crispy fried egg is a classic and delicious addition.

What To Serve With Beefless Bulgogi Fried Rice

This is a hearty, all-in-one meal that is incredibly satisfying on its own. For a more complete Korean-inspired meal, it pairs wonderfully with simple side dishes (banchan) like:

  • Kimchi
  • A quick-pickled cucumber salad
  • Steamed or sautéed bok choy

How To Store Beefless Bulgogi Fried Rice

  • Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: For the best results, reheat the fried rice in a hot skillet or wok over medium-high heat with a tiny splash of oil. You can also reheat it in the microwave.

Beefless Bulgogi Fried Rice Nutrition Facts

  • Serving: 1 serving (half of the recipe)
  • Calories: 384kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Protein: 39g
  • Fat: 13g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

What is Bulgogi?

Bulgogi is a classic Korean dish of thinly sliced, marinated beef that is grilled or stir-fried. Trader Joe’s “Beefless Bulgogi” is a popular plant-based version made from soy protein that mimics the sweet and savory flavor profile of the original.

Is this recipe spicy?

The spice level comes from the gochujang. As written, with only 1 teaspoon, this dish is very mild and more savory/sweet than spicy. You can easily increase the amount of gochujang to your taste for a spicier dish.

Can I use a different kind of rice?

Yes, but for the best fried rice texture, a medium-grain white rice like Jasmine or Calrose is ideal. Brown rice can also be used, but it has a chewier texture. The most important factor is that the rice is cooked and completely cooled.

Try More Recipes:

Trader Joe’s Beefless Bulgogi Fried Rice Recipe

Recipe by LuluCourse: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Calories

384

kcal

A quick and easy one-pan meal that transforms Trader Joe’s popular Beefless Bulgogi into a delicious and satisfying fried rice with a sweet and savory gochujang sauce.

Ingredients

  • 1 pack Trader Joe’s Beefless Bulgogi

  • 1 Cup cold, cooked rice

  • 1 tbsp Sesame oil

  • Sauce: 1.5 tbsp Soy sauce, 1.5 tbsp honey (or maple syrup), 1 tsp Gochujang.

  • Optional: Your favorite stir-fry veggies (broccoli, carrots, etc.).

Directions

  • Cook the beefless bulgogi according to the package directions. Whisk the sauce ingredients together.
  • Heat sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the cooked bulgogi and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until crispy.
  • (Optional) Sauté any additional vegetables in the wok.
  • Add the cold, day-old rice and stir-fry on high heat, breaking up any clumps.
  • Pour the sauce over everything and toss on high heat for 2 more minutes until the rice is evenly coated. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use Day-Old Rice: The most important tip for great fried rice is to use cold, dry, leftover rice. This is the non-negotiable secret to a perfect, non-mushy texture.
  • High Heat is Key: For that signature stir-fry flavor, make sure your wok or skillet is very hot before you add the rice and sauce.
  • Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If you are adding a lot of vegetables, cook them in batches to ensure they stir-fry and get tender-crisp, rather than steam.
  • Customize It: This recipe is a perfect template. Feel free to add more vegetables, top it with a fried egg, or add more gochujang for a spicier kick.

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