WHAT IS KOREAN BBQ SAUCE?
American BBQ sauces, like my Keto BBQ sauce, typically feature a tomato base and offer a sweet and smoky flavor. In contrast, Korean BBQ sauce bases itself on soy sauce and incorporates popular Asian ingredients such as garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, and gochujang (Korean chili paste). This unique combination results in a more complex flavor profile that is tangy, sweet, savory, umami, and can be either a little or very spicy.
Prepare to be transported to the vibrant streets of Korea with this delectable Korean BBQ sauce recipe! Bursting with bold flavors and aromatic spices, this sauce is a true culinary delight that will take your dishes to new heights. Whether you're grilling up meats, veggies, or tofu, this sauce adds an irresistible touch of sweetness, tanginess, and umami that will have your taste buds dancing with delight. Get ready to impress your family and friends with the authentic taste of Korean barbecue right in your own kitchen!
This Asian BBQ sauce is not only delicious, but it’s also easy to make at home and comes together in just a few minutes in one pan. It’s perfect for meal-prepping and can be used in various ways, such as marinating, dipping, drizzling, basting, or as a finishing sauce. Packed with umami-rich boldness, it adds a unique flavor to your dishes that’ll leave you wanting more.
Unlike store-bought versions, this Korean BBQ sauce recipe is made with only wholesome, pantry-friendly ingredients and is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. It is also naturally vegan and can be adapted to be gluten-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free, and even paleo.
Korean BBQ Sauce Ingredients
To make this Korean barbecue sauce, you’ll need soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, rice wine vinegar, chile-garlic sauce, black pepper, ginger, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water.
How to Make Korean BBQ Sauce
You will find detailed step-by-step instructions below, but here’s a brief overview of what to expect when making Korean barbecue sauce at home:
- Bring the first eight ingredients to a boil in a saucepan while stirring.
- Combine the cornstarch and water in a separate bowl, then add it to the boiling mixture.
- Lower the heat and start whisking the sauce until it thickens.
How to Use Korean BBQ Sauce
This versatile Korean barbecue sauce is perfect for marinating, glazing, dressing, dipping, or condiment.
How to Store Korean BBQ Sauce
Store your Korean BBQ sauce in an airtight container. Refrigerate for a week or freeze for a month. This way, you can relish the mouth-watering sauce for a longer duration and utilize it in a variety of dishes.
FAQS
IS KOREAN BBQ SAUCE GLUTEN-FREE?
If you need gluten-free BBQ gochujang sauce, replace soy sauce with tamari/coconut aminos and double-check gochujang ingredients for wheat.
WHAT IS GOCHUJANG?
Gochujang is a type of Korean chili paste that is made from fermented Korean red chili peppers, called gochugaru. Along with gochugaru, it also includes ingredients like glutinous rice flour, salt, fermented soybean paste or powder, and barley malt powder. The paste has a thick consistency and a bold flavor that is spicy, sweet, and tangy.
IS GOCHUJANG PASTE SPICY?
Although gochujang is bright red, it is not overly spicy. Its flavors combine spicy, tangy, salty, and slightly sweet. Gochujang paste is also available in different heat levels.
RECIPE NOTES AND TIPS
- It is important to use fresh and high-quality ingredients, such as fresh ginger and garlic, high-quality soy sauce, and gochujang paste.
- If you want to adjust the level of spiciness in your dish, you can add more or less Gochujang paste and red pepper flakes accordingly.
- To make a smoother brown sauce, you can use an immersion blender to blend it until it becomes smooth.
- Adjust the taste to your liking: You can modify and fine-tune the taste of any ingredient according to your preferences.
- To avoid excessive saltiness, use reduced-sodium versions of soy sauce and/or broth (or just water) as the soy sauce, vegetable stock, and gochujang paste will all contribute salt to the brown stir-fry sauce.
- Let it rest for a day: It will taste even better the next day.
1 Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, rice wine vinegar, chili-garlic sauce, pepper, ginger, and sesame oil in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2 Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Pour the mixture into the boiling soy sauce and stir. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook the sauce until thickened about 3 to 5 minutes.
Calories: 219
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
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For a truly authentic Korean BBQ experience, consider adding a touch of Korean pear puree to your sauce. Korean pear, also known as bae or nashi pear, adds natural sweetness and a hint of fruitiness that enhances the overall flavor profile of the sauce. Simply blend a ripe Korean pear until smooth and stir it into the sauce before thickening. This subtle addition will elevate your BBQ sauce to the next level and give it that authentic Korean touch that will leave everyone asking for more!
