Korean BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup soy sauce
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chile-garlic sauce
such as Sriracha®
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
toasted
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Directions
- 1
Stir soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, rice wine vinegar, chile-garlic sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper together in a saucepan; bring to a boil.
- 2
Whisk cornstarch and water together in a small bowl until the cornstarch dissolves; pour into boiling soy sauce mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the sauce is thick, 3 to 5 minutes.
Korean BBQ Sauce
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About this Recipe
Elevate your weeknight meals with a homemade Korean BBQ sauce that brings authentic, sweet and savory flavors right to your kitchen. This incredibly quick-prep and quick-cook recipe is your secret weapon for transforming ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary, making it a staple for any home cook.
What makes this Korean BBQ sauce truly shine is its perfect balance of umami-rich soy, sweet dark brown sugar, and a bright, aromatic kick from fresh ginger and minced garlic. The careful addition of cornstarch ensures a smooth, luscious texture that coats proteins and vegetables beautifully, making it far superior to many thin, store-bought alternatives.
Prepare for a vibrant, deeply flavorful sauce that strikes an exquisite balance between sweet, savory, and a hint of tang. The optional chile-garlic sauce introduces a gentle warmth that you can adjust to your preference, making this versatile for a range of palates. You'll find it has a wonderfully smooth, glossy consistency, perfect for clinging to grilled meats or roasted vegetables, transforming them into something truly special. It's surprisingly easy to achieve this complex flavor profile, making it a fantastic addition to your culinary repertoire.
This Korean BBQ sauce is incredibly adaptable. For a milder flavor profile, simply omit the chile-garlic sauce entirely. If you enjoy a bit more heat, you could experiment with a pinch of red pepper flakes. To brighten the sauce even further, a small amount of finely grated orange zest can be a delightful addition, complementing the ginger and soy notes beautifully.
This versatile Korean BBQ sauce is ideal for marinating grilled meats like beef, chicken, or pork, lending a rich, caramelized glaze. It also makes a phenomenal glaze for roasted vegetables or a delicious dipping sauce for appetizers. Serve it alongside steamed rice or fresh kimchi to complete your meal.