Bulgogi Sauce Recipe (2024)

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by Mike Hultquist · Apr 26, 2021 · 32 Comments · Jump to Recipe

With this easy-to-make bulgogi sauce recipe, you can quickly prep and marinate sliced steak for flavorful Korean BBQ anytime you'd like. Fire up the grill!

Bulgogi Sauce Recipe

We're cooking up some amazing Korean BBQ tonight, my friends. If you've never tried Korean beef BBQ, aka "bulgogi", you're definitely in for an experience of great flavor.

Bulgogi translates to "fire meat", and is a Korean-style recipe of marinated slices of meat, usually beef or pork, that are grilled or stir-fried. Bulgogi itself hails from northern Korea, though you'll find it all over Korea in higher end Korean restaurants to street food, and it's popularity has brought it all around the world.

It is particularly loved in the U.S., where I am seeing it more and more on menus. My focus today isn't on the bulgogi recipe itself, but instead on the Bulgogi Sauce, or Bulgogi Marinade.

You see, you can use different cuts of and types of meats to make your bulgogi however you'd like, but for huge flavor, the secret is in the bulgogi sauce.

A good bulgogi sauce not only builds flavor into your marinated beef or other chosen meat, but it also helps to tenderize the meat, making for a more pleasurable meal.

I've seen different versions of bulgogi sauce from other cooks and in several cookbooks, and this is my particular adaptation that I used in my own cookbook, "The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook".

My particular recipe includes KoreanGochujang, which is used in many Korean dishes. It's a fermented chili paste that ranges from mild to spicy, so you can easily choose your preference to control the heat.

No matter which level you choose, you're guaranteed to enjoy huge flavor. I love gochujang.

Let's talk about how to make bulgogi sauce or marinade, shall we?

Bulgogi Sauce Ingredients

Soy Sauce
Gochujang - Korean fermented chili paste
Rice Wine Vinegar
Sesame Oil
Honey - or use Brown Sugar
Ginger
Garlic
Red Pepper Flakes
Black Pepper
Spicy Fresh Red Pepper - This is optional, but I love the added flavor and heat of a spicy red pepper, such as a red fingerling or bird's eye pepper.

How to Make Bulgogi Sauce - the Recipe Method

Whisk the Bulgogi Sauce. Whisk all of the ingredients together in a bowl - soy sauce, gochujang, vinegar, sesame oil, honey or brown sugar, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, black pepper and optional minced fresh hot pepper.

Marinate the Meat. Marinate the meat (strips of steak, chicken, pork) for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for more flavor development.

Cook the Bulgogi. Grill or sauté the strips of steak or meat over medium-high heat 5-6 minutes, stirring or flipping often, until done to your liking.

I prefer grilling my bulgogi, but it's very easy to make inside with a cast iron grill pan for convenience.

Garnish and Serve. Garnish with green onions, peppers and toasted sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy!

Boom! Done! Easy to make, isn't it? Time for some Korean BBQ beef, my friends. Or chicken! Use it for whatever cut of meat you'd prefer, like chicken bulgogi or ground beef bulgogi, though beef bulgogi is the classic Korean preparation.

Serving Ideas for Bulgogi Sauce

Aside from making bulgogi, bulgogi sauce is ideal as a dipping sauce for lettuce wraps, or as a stir fry sauce for a variety of stir fries. Use it anywhere you'd use a stir fry sauce.

I love this recipe.

Recipe Tips & Notes

Best Meat for Bulgogi.I mostly see bulgogi made with beef, though pork is very popular. I've also seen recipes that use chicken or ground beef.

Popular cuts of beef include short rib, flank steak and skirt steak, though my personal favorite is ribeye. The sauce works best when you slice the meat into thin slices to get a good flavor base.

Recipe Variations. The cookbook listed below uses Asian or Bosc pear (or pear juice) in their bulgogi sauce as well as onion and scallion, which is great. Definitely give them a try.

I adjusted by including spicy gochujang for extra heat and flavor, as well as minced peppers, and emphasized other ingredients to my own preference.

Korean Gochujang. Gochujang is a Korean fermented red chili paste made from chili powder, glutinous rice, fermented soybean powder, barley malt powder, and salt.

It is thick and pungent in flavor, adding a zingy depth to your dishes. It is both sweet and savory, and spicy.

You can sometimes find it in typical American grocery stores in the Asian or International section, though selections can be limited. I find a big variety in an Asian grocery store near me.

Consider buying it online. See below.

Buy Gochujang Online

Buy Gochujang at Amazon for a good selection of options (affiliate link, my friends)

That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this amazing bulgogi sauce recipe. Time to make the bulgogi! Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. Keep it spicy!

Cookbook Recommendations

Maangchi's Real Korean Cooking, by Maangchi with Lauren Chattman (affiliate link, my friends) - this book is the inspiration for this recipe.
Also, check out my own cookbook, "The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook - Fiery, No-Fuss Meals", by Mike Hultquist (affiliate link, my friends!)

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

Ssamjang (Spicy Korean Soybean Paste)
Gochujang
Doubanjiang
General Tso Sauce
Korean BBQ Sauce
Sambal Oelek
Homemade Sriracha
Homemade Harissa
Sweet Chili-Garlic Hot Sauce
Easy Hoisin Sauce
Tonkatsu Sauce
Nuoc Cham
How to make Chili Paste from Fresh Peppers
Homemade Kimchi (How to Make Kimchi)

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

Bulgogi Sauce Recipe

With this easy-to-make bulgogi sauce recipe, you can quickly prep and marinate sliced steak for flavorful Korean BBQ anytime you'd like. Fire up the grill!

Save Recipe

Ingredients

4 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons gochujang Korean fermented chili paste
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey or use brown sugar
1 teaspoon fresh chopped ginger
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
Black pepper to taste
1 spicy red pepper minced (optional, for hotter bulgogi sauce)

Instructions

Whisk all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
Marinate the meat (strips of steak, chicken, pork) for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for more flavor development.
Grill or sauté the strips of steak or meat over medium-high heat 5-6 minutes, stirring or flipping often, until done to your liking.
Garnish with green onions, peppers and toasted sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 112kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1042mgPotassium: 157mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 716IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

Reader Interactions

Comments

FM says
December 16, 2023 at 10:46 am

Love it the shorts rubs were perfect
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  December 16, 2023 at 10:52 am
  
  Excellent! Glad you enjoyed them!
  Reply
Nelly R. says
November 26, 2023 at 6:07 pm

I didn't want to buy the marinade from the store, as most of the brands contain MSG and other unhealthy elements. Your marinade is great, not overpowering and just right. I has all ingredients on hand, including gochujang Korean fermented chili paste (now also sold in Trade Joe's, in CA). I used the marinade overnight on baby back ribs cut to small chunks. Served with steamed rice and arugula salad. The family enjoyed the dinner. Thanks!
Reply
- Mike H. says
  November 27, 2023 at 3:06 am
  
  I am really glad, Nelly. I've got plenty of sauces, so I hope you will try them, too!
  Reply
Nicole S. says
July 06, 2023 at 8:53 pm

Your recipes continue to amaze me. This is the best bulgogi recipe I've tried. I used it with ground beef for a quick, cheaper dinner. The whole family loved it. I served it with rice and pickled cucumbers, carrots and onions.
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  July 06, 2023 at 10:04 pm
  
  Thanks, Nicole! Seriously happy you enjoyed it! And thanks for sharing this.
  Reply
Nicki says
June 14, 2023 at 12:10 am
See Also
Ina Garten Mac and Cheese (Easy Recipe)

So good!! I used it for beef with veg and rice, but also used the left over (none marinated part) as a dip/sauce for grilled chicken I had left from the other night! Love it!!
Reply
Dan says
May 19, 2023 at 5:55 am

This is the best bulgogi I have ever had. It's better than at my favorite Korean restaurant. I made a double batch of the sauce the first time and used half for the beef and half for rice to make bulgogi fried rice. It was jaw dropping good!
I'm making it again tonight, plated with white rice, kimche, sesame oil bean sprouts and those nummy cold potatoes (if I can find a recipe)
Thanks for the "gift!"
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  May 19, 2023 at 8:11 am
  
  Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it, Dan!
  Reply
Sky says
May 13, 2023 at 7:50 pm

This is more of a Korean spicy pork marinade as opposed to bulgogi since bulgogi is typically not spicy. it's a good sauce though. 🙂
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  May 14, 2023 at 5:33 am
  
  Everything I do is spicy. I love it.
  Reply
  - Asterisk says
    July 31, 2023 at 3:49 pm
    
    yeah it is!
    Reply
Mary says
April 30, 2023 at 9:14 am

Delicious sauce!!! I used it to make bulgogi mushrooms. I can't wait to make this for my daughter in law who is Korean and introduced me to bulgogi. I think she will approve.
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  April 30, 2023 at 9:20 am
  
  Awesome, Mary! Glad you enjoyed it, and I hope your daughter-in-law does as well!
  Reply
SteFanie says
October 16, 2022 at 10:23 am

I love this recipe!!! I've tried different recipes, but this is my go-to recipe for bulgogi. Can't wait to try more recipes.
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  October 16, 2022 at 10:43 am
  
  Great to hear! Thanks, SteFanie!
  Reply
Daniel says
June 04, 2022 at 1:09 pm

This will be my go to sauce/marinade simply awesome.I added some to ground pork and made burgers. I then basted them with the sauce as I barbecued them. Garnished them with a quick pickle of jalapeños and some cilantro leaves. They turned really fine. Next time I’m marinating wings and smoking them.
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  June 04, 2022 at 1:40 pm
  
  Dang, that sounds awesome! I'll take one of those! Thanks, Daniel.
  Reply
Julie says
March 27, 2022 at 4:12 pm

I have been looking for a sauce with chili kick but not spicy hot. Your Bulgogi Sauce recipe nails it. Today, ground beef with broccoli over ancient grains & Bulgogi sauce for a late lunch. My roommate, who grew up in Korea, raved.
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  March 29, 2022 at 2:11 pm
  
  Awesome to here, Julie! Glad it was enjoyed! I appreciate it!
  Reply
Fred Nathan says
March 20, 2022 at 12:47 am

Does this work with Salmon as well?
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  March 20, 2022 at 7:40 am
  
  Absolutely, Fred. You can serve this sauce with salmon. Works for me! Enjoy!
  Reply
Shelly says
January 09, 2022 at 9:39 pm

This is one of my family’s favorites. Great balance of flavor and effort!
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  January 09, 2022 at 10:40 pm
  
  Thanks, Shelly. I appreciate it.
  Reply
Lee Recca says
November 12, 2021 at 11:07 am

Thank you for developing this. Bulgogi sauce is hard to find in the stores so I'm making extra to keep on hand. Some recipes call for pear to be added. What do you think about that?
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  November 12, 2021 at 2:47 pm
  
  Thanks, Lee. Yes, easy to make at home. I have a different version of this with Asian pear that you might try. VERY GOOD. You can use pear in the bulgogi sauce as well. Here is the link - Korean BBQ Sauce Recipe: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/korean-bbq-sauce/.
  Reply
Brandon says
July 11, 2021 at 6:58 pm

Used this sauce on chicken and made Korean "cheese steaks". Phenomenal!
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  July 12, 2021 at 5:20 am
  
  Nice! Glad you enjoyed it, Brandon!
  Reply
Bill says
May 03, 2021 at 5:03 pm

This stuff is KILLER! I made a double batch a few days ago (snuck a couple spoons full straight from the mixing bowl), then dumped it into a plastic zip bag along with some chicken thighs--yeah, I know, not traditional. It ended up marinating for two days cuz "life got in the way" the next day. Did 'em on the rotisserie--my go to for thighs almost always. I use a basket that clamps the thighs in place, so no "kebab-like" setup, no running the thighs through with the spit rod. Outstanding! This will be a go-to for sure. Mebbe some sliced ribeye or flank next time.
Thanks!
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  May 04, 2021 at 7:40 am
  
  Excellent, Bill! I love it. Glad you enjoyed it!
  Reply
Jim Gray says
May 01, 2021 at 9:17 am

We make something like this all the time with tofu definitely going to try this recipe
Maybe with soy curls
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  May 03, 2021 at 7:45 am
  
  Sounds great, Jim! Enjoy.
  Reply

FAQs

What is Korean bulgogi sauce made of? ›

Mix some soy, apple juice and sugar in a sauce pan. Heat until the sugar melts. Mix in some ginger, garlic, green onions and sesame oil. Literally that's it.

Explore More ›

Is bulgogi sauce same as BBQ sauce? ›

It is sweet and savory and adds a vibrant flavor to any dish. Meishi Bulgogi sauce is a Korean style BBQ sauce for BBQs and grilling. Its an Ideal addition to your marinades or stir-fry's and makes a superb dipping sauce for burger and nuggets.

Find Out More ›

What does bulgogi contain? ›

Bulgogi generally refers to thinly sliced beef marinated in a sauce that is a mix of soy sauce, sugar or honey, sesame oil, garlic, onion, and often pureed Asian pear. Many Korean home cooks tend to marinate the beef overnight and then grill or stir-fry it with sliced onions, scallions, mushrooms, and other vegetables.

Read On ›

What are the three types of bulgogi? ›

noodles—mixed into the brothy sauce. bulgogi memories. There are three main regional styles of bulgogi: Gwangyang, Eonyang, and Seoul.

Read On ›

Is bulgogi sauce the same as teriyaki? ›

Bulgogi is a sweet, salty beef dish that is comparable to teriyaki but much more rich and flavorful. Whereas teriyaki is solely sweetened with sugar, bulgogi relies also on fruit sugar to add an extra depth of flavor.

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Why does bulgogi taste so good? ›

The beef is marinated in a blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, onion, garlic, ginger, sugar, asian pear, and black pepper. It's marinated for several hours which flavors and tenderizes the meat. The flavor of bulgogi is savory, salty and sweet.

Keep Reading ›

What does Korean bulgogi sauce taste like? ›

What does bulgogi sauce taste like? Bulgogi sauce is considered being the BBQ sauce of Asian and Korean cuisine. It's sweet, smoky, and slightly tangy, and has a subtle spice hit thanks to the chili sauce. In many Korean restaurants, they actually serve this as a dipping sauce too!

View Details ›

What meat should I use for bulgogi? ›

This recipe calls for flank steak because it's tender and flavorful. You can also use skirt steak or hanger steak. Salty, umami-rich soy sauce is the base of this beef bulgogi marinade. A couple tablespoons of white sugar lends sweetness, balancing the other savory flavors.

Show Me More ›

How long should you marinate bulgogi? ›

Add the thinly sliced beef, thinly sliced onions, and green onions. Mix and marinate for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours. Over high heat, add a tbsp of oil to a pan. Cook the beef bulgogi in batches until the water cooks out and the beef and onions are nicely caramelized, about 4-5 minutes.

Explore More ›

What do you eat bulgogi with? ›

In many Korean restaurants, tables are outfitted with grills in the center so customers can cook the bulgogi meat themselves and eat it straight from the grill. Bulgogi is typically served with steamed rice, lettuce wraps, chili sauce, and other traditional Korean accompaniments.

Why do Koreans eat bulgogi? ›

From 1910 to 1945, Korea was under Japanese rule, and serious beef shortages swept the nation. As a result, beef prices soared, and the prominence of the bulgogi dish waned. By the 1990s, however, the dish's popularity rebounded. It is collectively known as one of the most popular foods in Korea today.

Learn More Now ›

What is bulgogi in English? ›

Bulgogi (Korean: 불고기; American English /bʊlˈɡoʊɡiː/ buul-GOH-ghee; from Korean bul-gogi [pul. ɡo. ɡi]), literally "fire meat") is a gui (Korean-style grilled or roasted dish) made of thin, marinated slices of meat, most commonly beef, grilled on a barbecue or on a stove-top griddle.

Discover More ›

Does Trader Joe's have bulgogi? ›

Each package contains 1 pound of 100% beef bulgogi for $12.99. The meat is already marinated, takes a few minutes to heat up, is perfectly tender and tastes absolutely delicious. This is better than many restaurant's beef bulgogi. Trader Joe's nailed the sweet and savory flavor 🤤.

Read On ›

Why is bulgogi so chewy? ›

The grain is essentially the muscle fibers running through the meat. You want to cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers so they become as short as possible as opposed to long muscle fibers. Long muscle fibers will give you chewy, rubbery tough meat – so cut AGAINST the grain.

See Details ›

What does Korean bulgogi taste like? ›

Beef Bulgogi is crazy tender and juicy seeping with mildly sweet, savory, smoky flavors from the soy, sesame, garlic, ginger marinade. It is intensely flavorful, and tantalizingly delicious. This Bulgogi cooks super fast, so once your steak is done marinating, it's 15 minutes to dinner!

Find Out More ›

Is Korean bulgogi sauce spicy? ›

Bulgogi is a very well-known and old Korean dish of thinly sliced marinated meat quickly cooked over heat. Bulgogi made with beef is not normally spicy, the marinade is usually a bit sweet.

Is bulgogi sauce spicy hot? ›

Savory soy umami, somewhat sweet and spicy*, nutty, garlicky with a touch of tartness. *The heat level is medium spicy. Adventurous eaters may not find it hot enough in which case, you can try dipping it in our gochujang sauce.

Bulgogi Sauce Recipe (2024)

Bulgogi Sauce Recipe

Bulgogi Sauce Ingredients

How to Make Bulgogi Sauce - the Recipe Method

Serving Ideas for Bulgogi Sauce

Recipe Tips & Notes

Buy Gochujang Online

Cookbook Recommendations

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

Bulgogi Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutrition Information

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply

FAQs

What is Korean bulgogi sauce made of? ›

Why do Koreans eat bulgogi? ›

References