Description
This authentic Bulgogi Sauce is a flavorful Korean BBQ beef marinade that combines savory soy sauce with the sweetness of brown sugar and honey, enhanced by garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Ideal for marinating thinly sliced beef, it also serves as a versatile glaze, dipping sauce, or base for Korean-inspired dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Basic Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Ingredients for Authenticity and Garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons grated Asian pear or apple (optional, for authentic sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)
- 2 green onions, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper until the sugar is fully dissolved, creating a smooth, well-balanced sauce.
- Add Optional Enhancers: Stir in crushed red pepper flakes for heat, grated Asian pear or apple for natural sweetness and tenderizing effect, toasted sesame seeds for texture, and chopped green onions for freshness if using.
- Use or Store: Use the sauce immediately as a marinade for thinly sliced beef such as ribeye or sirloin, or as a flavorful glaze or dipping sauce. Alternatively, store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Optional Reduction for Thickness: For a thicker sauce consistency, simmer the mixture gently over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until slightly reduced and syrupy, then cool before use.
Notes
- Ideal for marinating thinly sliced beef cuts like ribeye or sirloin to maximize flavor absorption and tenderness.
- Works equally well as a dipping sauce or a glaze when grilling or stir-frying meats and vegetables.
- Adding grated Asian pear or apple not only adds sweetness but also helps tenderize the meat for authentic flavor and texture.
- To create a thicker sauce, simmer for 5–7 minutes to reduce the liquid, enhancing the glaze effect.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Keep the sauce refrigerated and consume within one week for best quality.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (or 7 minutes if reducing)
- Category: Sauce
- Method: No-Cook (or Simmered)
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 35
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 340 mg
- Fat: 1.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
