Easy Homemade Korean BBQ Sauce: Your Go-To Sweet & Savory Flavor Booster

Prepare to become absolutely obsessed with this Korean BBQ sauce. Sweet, sticky, savory, and bursting with incredible flavor, this homemade sauce is unbelievably easy to make and requires minimal effort. It comes together in just minutes, making it the perfect secret weapon for busy weeknights or weekend grilling sessions. The best part? You can whip up a batch ahead of time, and it keeps beautifully in the fridge for weeks, ensuring you always have a delicious flavor enhancer on hand. Get ready to elevate your grilled chicken, shrimp skewers, crispy chicken wings, and even homemade pizzas with this versatile and addictive Korean BBQ sauce!

Why This Korean BBQ Sauce Will Be Your New Culinary Obsession

There’s a reason this Korean BBQ sauce has taken over my kitchen and my cravings. It hits all the right notes: a perfect balance of rich sweetness, deep savory umami, a subtle tang from the vinegar, and just enough kick from the red pepper flakes and sriracha to keep things interesting. Every spoonful is a flavor explosion that will have you reaching for more. I’m not exaggerating when I say I’m addicted – I’m constantly dreaming up new ways to incorporate this magnificent sauce into every meal!

One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is its incredible convenience. Life gets hectic, and sometimes the thought of preparing a flavorful meal feels daunting, especially after a long day. That’s where this homemade Korean BBQ sauce truly shines. It’s incredibly quick to prepare, needing only about 5 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of simmering time. Even better, it’s a fantastic make-ahead option. Prepare a double batch on a Sunday, and you’ll have a ready-to-use sauce stored in your refrigerator for up to two weeks. This means when you’re running behind, or simply can’t decide what to season your grilled salmon or pan-seared chicken with, this flavorful sauce is just a scoop away. It’s also ideal for quickly transforming a simple stir-fry of chicken and vegetables into a vibrant, restaurant-quality dish.

Unleash the Flavor: Endless Ways to Use Your Korean BBQ Sauce

The versatility of this Korean BBQ sauce is truly remarkable. Once you have a jar of this liquid gold in your fridge, your meal possibilities become limitless. Here are some of my favorite ways to incorporate this delicious sauce into everyday cooking:

• Perfect Glaze for Salmon: A few minutes before your salmon fillets are done baking or grilling, brush them generously with this sauce. The heat will caramelize the sugars, creating a beautiful, sticky glaze that adds an incredible depth of flavor to your fish.
• Elevate Your Stir-Fries: Forget bland stir-fries! Toss cooked chicken, beef, or your favorite vegetables with a generous amount of this Korean BBQ sauce for a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal. It coats everything beautifully, infusing every bite with its sweet and savory goodness.
• Irresistible Chicken Wings: For game day or a casual get-together, use this sauce to coat crispy chicken wings. Simply bake or fry your wings until golden, then toss them in the warm Korean BBQ sauce until thoroughly coated. For an extra sticky finish, pop them back in the oven for a few minutes. (You can adapt the instructions from these chicken wings, just substitute the sauce!)
• Effortless Slow Cooker Meals: For the ultimate weeknight convenience, combine 1 1/2 pounds of chicken (thighs or breasts work great) with 2 cups of this Korean BBQ sauce in your crockpot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is tender and easily shreddable. Serve over rice or in buns for an incredibly easy and flavorful dinner. Two ingredients, and pure magic!
• Grilling Perfection: Whether it’s chicken breasts, thighs, or succulent shrimp skewers, this sauce makes an excellent marinade and finishing glaze for anything coming off the grill. Brush it on during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent burning and achieve that perfect caramelized crust.
• Unexpected Salad Dressing: Lighten things up by using this sauce as a dressing. It adds a unique sweet and tangy kick that’s far more interesting than your standard vinaigrette. Try it as a bold alternative to the peanut lime dressing in this Thai salad recipe.
• Ultimate Dipping Sauce: This sauce is a phenomenal dipping companion for just about anything. Think chicken nuggets, crispy shrimp poppers, coconut shrimp, spring rolls, or even fresh vegetable sticks.
• Korean BBQ Chicken Pizza: Take your homemade pizza night to the next level by using this sauce as the base. Top with cooked chicken, mozzarella, red onion, and cilantro for a truly unique and delicious Korean BBQ chicken pizza.

The Magic Behind the Flavor: Simple, Wholesome Ingredients

You’ll be delighted to discover that most of the ingredients for this Korean BBQ sauce are likely already staples in your pantry. We’re talking about foundational flavors that combine to create something truly extraordinary. A good quality low-sodium soy sauce forms the umami-rich base, complemented by the rich sweetness of brown sugar. Mirin, a sweet rice wine, adds a subtle depth and glaze, while sesame oil brings a distinct nutty aroma. Freshly grated ginger and garlic are crucial for that authentic aromatic punch, and a splash of rice wine vinegar provides a bright, tangy counterpoint. For that signature Korean BBQ kick, red pepper flakes and sriracha are essential, allowing you to adjust the heat level to your preference. Finally, a simple cornstarch slurry is whisked in at the end to achieve that perfect, desirable sticky thickness that clings beautifully to whatever you’re coating. That’s it! No obscure ingredients, just simple pantry items transforming into a flavor powerhouse.

Tips for Making the Best Korean BBQ Sauce

• Fresh Aromatics are Key: Always use fresh ginger and garlic. Grating them allows their flavors to fully infuse into the sauce, giving it a vibrant, authentic taste that powdered versions simply cannot replicate.
• Don’t Skimp on Simmering: Allowing the sauce to simmer for the specified time (before adding the cornstarch) ensures that all the flavors meld together beautifully and the sugar fully dissolves.
• Achieving Perfect Thickness: The cornstarch slurry is your friend for achieving that ideal sticky consistency. Make sure to whisk it in gradually while the sauce is boiling, and continue to cook until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. If it gets too thick, you can always thin it out with a little water or broth.
• Taste and Adjust: Before storing, always taste your sauce. If you prefer it sweeter, add a touch more brown sugar. For more heat, a bit more sriracha or red pepper flakes. A little more vinegar can brighten it up further.
• Cool Completely Before Storing: This is crucial for food safety and preventing condensation, which can affect the sauce’s texture and shelf life.

There are literally countless ways to enjoy this incredible sauce, and I strongly encourage you to experiment and discover all the delicious possibilities. It’s not just a sauce; it’s a gateway to more flavorful, exciting meals. Get ready to add this homemade Korean BBQ sauce to your regular cooking rotation!

Yield: approx. 2 cups

Korean BBQ Sauce

Prep Time
5 minutes

Cook Time
15 minutes

Total Time
20 minutes

This easy homemade Korean BBQ sauce is a sweet, sticky, and savory flavor bomb perfect for grilling, dipping, marinading, and so much more! It takes just minutes to prepare and keeps fresh in the fridge for weeks, making it your go-to condiment for adding an incredible authentic Korean flair to any meal.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup mirin (I used non-alcoholic mirin)
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons sriracha sauce
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 1 1/2 tablespoons grated garlic
• 1 scallion, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoon cornstarch + 3 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the soy sauce, 1/4 cup of water, light brown sugar, mirin, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, black pepper, red pepper flakes, sriracha, grated ginger, grated garlic, and finely chopped scallion. Heat the sauce over high heat and bring it to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
2. While the sauce is heating, prepare your cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, whisk together the 3 tablespoons of cold water and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch until the mixture is completely smooth and lump-free. Once the sauce in the saucepan is boiling, slowly pour in the cornstarch slurry while continuously whisking. Continue to cook the sauce, whisking constantly, until it visibly thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and hold its shape. This will typically take an additional 6-8 minutes.
3. Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a clean, airtight jar or container for storage. The sauce is ready to use immediately if desired. Store any remaining sauce in the refrigerator, where it will keep well for up to two weeks.

Notes

This incredibly versatile Korean BBQ sauce can be used in numerous ways to elevate your cooking:

– Brush onto salmon fillets or other fish a few minutes before they’re done baking or grilling for a beautiful, sticky glaze.

– Toss with cooked chicken and your favorite vegetables for a quick, flavorful stir-fry.

– Use it to coat baked or fried chicken wings for an irresistible appetizer.

– For a super easy slow cooker meal, combine 1 1/2 pounds of chicken with 2 cups of this sauce (a delicious two-ingredient marvel!).

– Brush generously onto grilled chicken, pork, or shrimp skewers for an amazing BBQ flavor.

– Substitute it as a unique and zesty dressing on your favorite salads.

– Serve as a delightful dipping sauce for shrimp poppers, coconut shrimp, chicken nuggets, or spring rolls.

– Use it as the base sauce for a flavorful Korean BBQ chicken pizza.

Have you made this recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I’d love to see what you made!