Homemade Korean BBQ Sauce Recipe: Sweet, Savory, and Irresistibly Authentic
Make your own Korean BBQ Sauce at home! This recipe is sweet, savory, and perfect for grilling or dipping. Simple ingredients, big flavor!
Ingredients
- ½ cup soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tbsp gochujang Korean chili paste
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp gochugaru Korean chili flakes, optional for extra spice
- ¼ cup water or grated Asian pear for extra sweetness and tenderizing
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- In a small saucepan, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, gochujang, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, gochugaru (if using), and water (or grated Asian pear).
Simmer:
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened and the flavors have melded. Be careful not to let it boil vigorously or burn.
Cool and Store:
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool completely. Once cooled, transfer the Korean BBQ sauce to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Notes
Make it Your Own:
- Spice it Up: Love spicy food? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes (gochugaru) or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce while it simmers. Start small, you can always add more heat!
- Sweetness Preference: If you like your BBQ sauce a bit sweeter, try adding a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup at the end. Taste and adjust until it’s just right for you.
- Fruity Twist: For a more complex sweetness and to help tenderize meat even more, use ¼ cup of grated Asian pear or apple instead of water. It adds a lovely subtle fruitiness.
- Sesame Boost: If you really love sesame flavor, add an extra drizzle of sesame oil right at the end, after the sauce has cooled a bit. It makes the aroma even stronger and nuttier.
- Thicker Sauce: Want a thicker sauce that really coats your meat? Simmer it a little longer, or mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir it into the sauce in the last few minutes of cooking. This is called a cornstarch slurry and it's a chef's secret for thickening sauces!
- Marinade Magic: This sauce isn’t just for BBQ! It’s fantastic as a marinade. Try it on chicken thighs or pork chops before you grill or bake them. Let the meat soak in the sauce for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight in the fridge for super flavorful results.
- Dipping Delight: Forget boring dips! Serve this Korean BBQ sauce with spring rolls, veggie sticks, or even french fries. It’s a flavor explosion.
- Bowl Booster: Drizzle a little bit of this sauce over rice bowls with veggies and a fried egg for a quick and tasty meal. It’s also amazing on mac and cheese - trust me on this one!
- Grill Time Star: Of course, it’s AMAZING on grilled meats like beef short ribs (galbi) or thinly sliced beef (bulgogi). Brush it on while grilling and watch it caramelize into a sticky, delicious glaze.
- Keep your homemade Korean BBQ sauce in a clean jar or airtight container in the fridge. It will happily last for about a week, and the flavors actually get even better the next day!