Korean BBQ Sauce Recipe

This sweet and savory Korean BBQ Sauce, made with natural, bold ingredients is ready to be your new favorite marinade, sauce, or dip.

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You know a dish is delish when you have a distinct memory of falling in love with it.

My love for Korean BBQ sauce goes back over a decade to a divey, but trendy spot in downtown NYC. It was my first Valentine’s Day with this dude and we went out for bao buns and cocktails. Well, the rest is history. I became OBSESSED with these sweet soft buns, but more so the savory Korean BBQ sauce that filled them. Even though I lived uptown, and these buns were in the East Village, that did not stop me from ordering them regularly. This might not seem too far, but if you know the city it is a hike to go that far so often for food. I would make my friends who lived downtown pick up Korean BBQ bao buns whenever they came up to visit. Oh, and that “dude” became my sweet husband and we now have two kids.

Enough of my love story and more about the most delicious Korean BBQ sauce you’ll ever make. The traditional Asian spices of ginger, garlic, and sesame come together perfectly with the salty soy sauce, tangy vinegar, and brown sugar. What makes it even better than your distinct memory of a restaurant version is that it is made with all-natural ingredients and no questionable chemicals or additives.

Just when you thought this Korean BBQ sauce couldn’t get any better… it does. Similarly to our Keto BBQ Sauce and Gochujang Sauce, you can use it with almost anything you’re making for dinner. I honestly used it last night as a marinade for rib-eye steak that I threw on the grill. It can also be used with veggies, on top of noodles, or as a dipping sauce for dumplings.

Is Korean BBQ Sauce Healthy?

This sauce is filled with natural ingredients, which have great health benefits. Both ginger and garlic are rich in antioxidants and great for your immune system. Soy sauce also contains antioxidants and is beneficial to your digestive system. Korean BBQ sauce is vegan and vegetarian-friendly. If you substitute the cornstarch for a bit of chia seeds or almond flour you’ll have a keto-friendly version of this sauce. If you use dates as the sweetener and substitute coconut aminos for the soy sauce it will be Whole30 compliant, too.

Choose your Own Adventure when it comes to spice

You’ll see that this Korean BBQ sauce calls for a tablespoon of chili paste. I recommend using gochujang, but you can also try sriracha, Thai chili paste, or even red pepper flakes. While they are not the same as gochujang, you will still get that spicy kick that characterizes Asian sauces. When I make Korean BBQ sauce as a marinade for chicken I completely omit the chili paste because my kids can’t handle it. So feel free to use as much or as little depending on your desired kick.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon chili paste (such as gochujang)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon cornstarch

INSTRUCTIONS

Slurry

Prepare cornstarch slurry.

Combine

Mix ingredients in a saucepan.

Thicken

Cook until sauce thickens.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

Korean BBQ sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 1 week and up to 1 month in the freezer. Be sure the sauce has cooled to room temperature before storing.

Why is my sauce grainy and lumpy?

The secret to a perfectly smooth Korean BBQ sauce is all in the whisking. Be sure you whisk the slurry until the cornstarch is completely absorbed. When you combine the ingredients, whisk continuously over heat.

How can I fix a sauce that came out so salty?

If you find your sauce is too salty, add more vinegar or sugar to help balance it out. You can also choose a low-sodium soy sauce or even coconut aminos.

Serving Suggestions

Like I said, you can use this Korean BBQ sauce with almost anything.

For an appetizer or kid-friendly dish you can use Korean BBQ sauce to coat Pan-Fried Chicken Wings or as a dipping sauce with Baked Chicken Tenders or Fried Wontons. If you want a vegetarian-friendly option use this sauce with Steamed Broccoli over rice or replace the coconut curry in this Zucchini Noodles Bowl.

Finally, this might be crazy, but I have had Korean BBQ sauce with Chicken and Waffles and it is delicious!