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Bulgogi Sauce (Korean BBQ Beef Sauce) Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 38 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes (grilling/frying beef not included in sauce prep time)
  • Total Time: 10 minutes plus 30 minutes marinating time
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Sauce/Marinade
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Korean

Description

This authentic Bulgogi Sauce recipe is a flavorful Korean BBQ beef marinade that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and aromatic elements. Made with soy sauce, sugars, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, mirin, rice vinegar, and grated Asian pear, this sauce tenderizes the beef and infuses it with a delicious depth of flavor. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s ideal for marinating thinly sliced beef before grilling or pan-frying to create a classic Korean dish loved worldwide.

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons mirin (or sweet rice wine)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

Sweeteners

  • 3 tablespoons white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 pear (Asian pear preferred), grated

Aromatics & Spices

  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix Soy Sauce & Sugars: In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, white sugar, and brown sugar. Stir thoroughly until the sugars dissolve completely into the soy sauce, creating a smooth and balanced base for the marinade.
  2. Add Aromatics: Incorporate the minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil into the soy sauce mixture. Stir well to evenly distribute the aromatic flavors throughout the sauce.
  3. Incorporate Liquids: Mix in the mirin and rice vinegar, ensuring the liquids are fully blended into the mixture to add depth and a slight tang to the sauce.
  4. Add Pear: Stir in the grated Asian pear, which provides natural sweetness and contains enzymes that help tenderize the beef, enhancing both flavor and texture.
  5. Season: Add the ground black pepper, finely chopped green onions, and sesame seeds if using. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients, creating a well-rounded and fragrant marinade.
  6. Marinate & Cook: Use the sauce to marinate thinly sliced beef for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to penetrate the meat. For best results, grill or pan-fry the marinated beef until cooked through and slightly caramelized, serving hot for an authentic Korean BBQ experience.

Notes

  • Asian pear is preferred for its unique flavor and tenderizing enzymes, but you can substitute with a regular pear if needed.
  • Marinate the beef for at least 30 minutes, but for more intense flavor, marinate for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
  • Adjust sugar quantities based on your preferred sweetness level.
  • Bulgogi sauce can also be used with chicken or pork as an alternative to beef.
  • If sesame seeds are unavailable, they can be omitted without significantly altering the flavor profile.
  • To make the marinade gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce variant.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/bulgogi-sauce-korean-bbq-beef-sauce-recipe/