Description
This Bulgogi Sauce is a classic Korean BBQ marinade that combines savory, sweet, and tangy flavors to perfectly tenderize and season thinly sliced beef. Featuring soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and the unique sweetness of grated Asian pear, this sauce is ideal for marinating meat before grilling or pan-frying, delivering authentic Korean flavors in your homemade BBQ dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons mirin (or sweet rice wine)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 Asian pear, grated (preferred)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Sugars and Soy Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, white sugar, and brown sugar. Stir the mixture thoroughly until the sugars are fully dissolved, creating a balanced sweet and salty base for the marinade.
- Add Aromatics and Oil: Mix in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil into the soy sauce mixture. Stir well to evenly distribute the fragrant aromatics and rich sesame flavor.
- Incorporate Rice Wine and Vinegar: Add the mirin and rice vinegar to the bowl, mixing thoroughly to blend the sweet and tangy elements into the sauce.
- Add Grated Pear: Stir in the grated Asian pear, which contributes natural sweetness and helps tenderize the beef due to its enzymes, enhancing the sauce’s authenticity and flavor complexity.
- Season with Pepper and Green Onions: Mix in the ground black pepper, finely chopped green onions, and sesame seeds if using. This final step adds a mild heat, freshness, and optional nuttiness to the sauce.
- Marinate Beef: Use the prepared sauce to marinate thinly sliced beef. Allow the beef to soak up the flavors for at least 30 minutes before cooking, either by grilling or pan-frying, to achieve the best taste and tenderness.
Notes
- Asian pear is preferred for its tenderizing properties, but you can substitute with a ripe pear if unavailable.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
- Marinate the beef longer (up to 4 hours) for deeper flavor absorption.
- If sesame seeds are not available, you can omit them without affecting the sauce significantly.
- The sauce can also be used as a dipping sauce for cooked meat or vegetables.
