Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes | Quick and Easy

Korean barbeque just isn’t complete without flavorful dipping sauces on the side. These punchy sauces take the meat from tasty to phenomenal. In this article, you’ll learn why homemade Korean BBQ sauces beat store-bought every time. I’ll share three easy Korean BBQ dipping sauce recipes, along with customization tips to make them your own.

Discover how to use these sauces beyond just BBQ, and get answers to frequently asked questions. By the end, you’ll be equipped to whip up crave-worthy Korean sauces at home. Let’s get cooking.

The Power of Korean BBQ Sauces

Imagine Korean BBQ without dipping sauces—the bulgogi, galbi, and veggies just aren’t the same without that flavor boost. Sauces turn up the volume on umami, spice, sweetness and saltiness.

Popular Korean dipping sauces feature savory, fermented ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, gochujang chili paste, garlic, ginger, scallions and sugar. They strike a perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour and spicy.

And yes, you can definitely use these sauces beyond BBQ! Drizzle them over bibimbap, fried rice, ramen or dumplings. Use them as a marinade or stir fry sauce too. The possibilities are endless.

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes

Here are three classic Korean BBQ dipping sauce recipes to start with:

Gochujang Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Instructions:
Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Sesame Soy Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2 scallions, chopped

Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a bowl and stir to blend.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Bulgogi Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions:
Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Customizing Your Sauces

Don’t be afraid to tweak these recipes to your tastes! Here are some easy ways to make them your own:

• Adjust spice level – Add more gochujang or red pepper flakes for heat.
• Balance sweetness – Add honey/sugar or rice vinegar as needed.
• Swap ingredients – Substitute mirin for rice wine vinegar. Use sriracha instead of gochujang.
• Garnish with herbs – Sprinkle with sliced scallions, cilantro or sesame seeds.

Best Dishes for Dipping

You can use these sauces with any Korean BBQ, but here are some favorites:

• Bulgogi – The sweet marinade pairs perfectly with the bulgogi sauce.
• Galbi – Bold beef short ribs stand up well to the gochujang sauce.
• Samgyeopsal – Pork belly gets a boost from the sesame soy sauce.
• Dak galbi – Spicy chicken is balanced by the cooling sesame sauce.

FAQs: Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce

What is the difference between Korean BBQ sauce and regular BBQ sauce?

The main differences between Korean BBQ sauce and regular American BBQ sauce are that Korean BBQ sauce tends to be sweeter, less tomato-based, and flavored with Asian ingredients like sesame oil, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, pear, and apple. Regular BBQ sauce often contains tomatoes, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, etc.

What is served with Korean BBQ?

Typical banchan (side dishes) served with Korean BBQ include kimchi, lettuce leaves or perilla leaves, garlic, onions, rice cakes, bean sprouts, and various dipping sauces.

Is Korean BBQ sauce similar to bulgogi sauce?

Yes, Korean BBQ sauce is very similar to bulgogi sauce. They are essentially the same sweet, umami-rich Korean marinade containing soy sauce, pear, garlic, sesame oil, sugar, etc. The main difference is bulgogi sauce is used for marinating beef specifically.

What is the Japanese version of Korean BBQ?

The Japanese version of Korean BBQ is called yakiniku. It features thinly sliced meat grilled at the table and dipped in sauces, along with vegetables. The seasonings are a little different, with yakiniku sauce containing more soy sauce, mirin, and sweet rice wine.

Conclusion: Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes

Whipping up homemade Korean BBQ sauces is simple and so worth it. With just a few pantry ingredients, you can make flavorful gochujang, sesame soy, and bulgogi sauces.

Customize them to your tastes, then enjoy them with tender grilled meats, crispy veggies and more. I hope these recipes inspire you to explore the vibrant flavors of Korean cuisine! Let me know how your dipping sauces turn out.