This Korean BBQ Sauce is made with simple ingredients, ready in less than 10 minutes and packed with flavor! Use it as a marinade or glaze to add sweet, smoky, and salty flavors to your favorite grilled meats.

BBQ Sauce in a glass jar with a side of white rice topped with green beans and grilled meats
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My entire family loves this Homemade Korean Sauce! The combination of the salty, tangy, savory and lightly flavors makes this sticky delicious perfect for a marinade, drizzled over Blackstone Chicken Stir Fry, lettuce wraps or as a dipping sauce.

We love making Homemade Seasoning Blends for Grilling and Sauce so we can easily control the ingredients. We love having this BBQ Sauce stocked in a fridge with Peach BBQ Sauce, Honey BBQ Sauce and Kansas City BBQ Sauce.

What is Korean BBQ Sauce?

This Korean Sauce is also known as Korean cuisine as bulgogi sauce when used for marinating beef. The flavorful blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and sugar is the perfect addition to any meats.

It’s a staple in Korean grilling culture at Korean BBQ Restaurant, giving meats that crave-worthy umami flavor. It is a versatile sauce that my entire family loves. Skip the store bought sauce and make it at home with simple pantry ingredient.

Ingredients

Ingredients - Soy Sauce, brown sugar, garlic, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha sauce, ginger, red pepper flakes, cornstarch, water
  • Low Sodium Soy Sauce – If you prefer a gluten-free variation, make with coconut aminos to add to your dish. You can also use Tamari
  • Light Brown Sugar – This adds the perfect amount of sweetness
  • Minced Cloves Garlic – You can also use garlic powder
  • Rice Wine Vinegar – Substitute with Rice Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Toasted Sesame Oil – Adds a touch of nutty warm flavors
  • Sriracha Sauce and Red Pepper Flakes  – Add a hint of spice to the sauce
  • Grated Fresh Ginger – We think fresh ginger taste best
  • Cornstarch Slurry – Combine cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

How to Make Korean BBQ Sauce

Soy Sauce, brown sugar, garlic, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha sauce, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan

Step 1 – In a medium saucepan, stir together the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha sauce, ginger and red pepper flakes. Heat over medium heat and bring to a low boil.

Cornstarch and water combined in a small bowl

Step 2 – In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with the cold water. 

Combined sauce in a sauce pan

Step 3 – Whisk this mixture into the boiling soy sauce mixture. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened (approximately 5-6 minutes), stirring often.

BBQ Sauce heated in a saucepan

Step 4 – Remove from heat, allow to cool and then the sauce is ready to serve and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

  • Spicy Level – Taste test the BBQ sauce and add in more red pepper flakes and Sriracha sauce based on the spiciness level that you prefer.
  • Sauce Consistency – This sauce will be thick and will thicken as it cools. If you want the sauce to be thinner, slowly add in more water until the sauce is the consistency that you prefer. 

How to Use Korean BBQ Sauce

We love using this sweet and spicy Korean sauce in many ways.

BBQ Sauce in a clear jar with a spoon with a plate of white rice topped with cooked vegetables on the side

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Difference between Korean BBQ Sauce and regular BBQ Sauce?

The biggest difference between regular BBQ Sauce and Korean BBQ Sauce is the flavor profile. Regular American made BBQ Sauce tends to have a tangy, sweet and tomato base flavor. Korean BBQ Sauce is made with a hint of sweetness and spiciness combination.

How to Turn Regular Barbecue Sauce into Korean Barbecue Sauce?

Take your regular BBQ Sauce to a whole new level of flavor by adding in soy sauce, gochujang which is a chili paste, and rice vinegar.

How to Store Leftover Korean BBQ Sauce

Refrigerate in an airtight glass container and the Korean BBQ sauce should keep for up to 2 weeks.

Korean BBQ Sauce in a jar with a plate of white rice and grilled vegetables on the side

More Easy Homemade Sauce Recipes

If you make Korean BBQ Sauce Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love to hear from you.

Korean BBQ Sauce

5 from 1 vote
This Korean BBQ Sauce is made with simple ingredients, ready in less than 10 minutes and packed with flavor! Use it as a marinade or glaze to add sweet, smoky, and salty flavors to your favorite grilled meats.
Servings 24
Cuisine Korean
Course Sauces
Calories 37

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, stir together the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha sauce, ginger and red pepper flakes.
  • Heat over medium heat and bring to a low boil.
  • In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with the cold water.
  • Whisk this mixture into the boiling soy sauce mixture.
  • Reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened (approximately 5-6 minutes), stirring often.
  • Remove from heat, allow to cool and then the sauce is ready to serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Taste test the BBQ sauce and add in more red pepper flakes and Sriracha sauce based on the spiciness level that you prefer.
Refrigerate in an airtight glass container and the Korean BBQ sauce should keep for up to 2 weeks.
This sauce will be thick and will thicken as it cools.
If you want the sauce to be thinner, slowly add in more water until the sauce is the consistency that you prefer.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 37kcal, Carbohydrates 8g, Protein 1g, Fat 0.4g, Saturated Fat 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g, Sodium 557mg, Potassium 33mg, Fiber 0.1g, Sugar 7g, Vitamin A 13IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 9mg, Iron 0.3mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Grill on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. From the Best Blackstone recipes, to grilling, and easy smoker recipes, together we are going to cook real food, with easy ingredients… for real families!

5 from 1 vote

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Comments

  1. Kasey Harris says:

    5 stars
    Loved how delicious this sauce is! The best part is I had all the ingredients!