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Olivia

Sweet Korean BBQ Sauce

Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Condiment, Glaze, Sauce
Cuisine: Korean-inspired
Calories: 60
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons Korean chili paste gochujang
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
Ingredient Notes
  • Soy sauce: Any brand works. Use low-sodium if you want a lighter salt flavor.
  • Gochujang: This is the base flavor. It brings heat and depth.
  • Sesame oil: Adds a nutty aroma often found in Samyang and Samyang sauce.
  • Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce to coat chicken or veggies.
  • Honey + brown sugar: Gives the sauce its sweet finish.

Equipment

  • Small or medium saucepan
  • whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Silicone spatula or wooden spoon
  • Heatproof bowl or jar
  • Fine-mesh strainer Optional

Method
 

Mix the cornstarch and water.
  1. Stir in a small bowl until smooth. This helps the sauce thicken later.
Start the base in a small pot.
  1. Add soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, sesame oil, gochujang, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar.
Heat on medium.
  1. Let it warm until the sugar melts and the gochujang blends into the liquid. Keep the heat steady so it doesn’t burn.
Add the cornstarch mix.
  1. Stir it into the pot. The sauce will start to thicken as it heats.
Cook for 3–5 minutes.
  1. Stir until you get a smooth, glossy sauce that coats the spoon.
Finish with sesame seeds and black pepper.
  1. Turn off the heat and let the sauce cool. It will thicken a little more as it sits.
Store or use.
  1. Keep in a jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.