Description
A traditional, sweet, and savory Korean marinade featuring Korean pear, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil, perfect for tenderizing beef or chicken.
Ingredients
1/2 cup soy sauce (naturally brewed)
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup Korean pear, grated (or Bosc pear)
1/4 cup onion, finely grated
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, and honey until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Step 2: Using a fine grater, grate the Korean pear and the onion until you have a smooth pulp. Add this mixture, including the juices, into the soy sauce base.
Step 3: Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper, ensuring the aromatics are evenly distributed throughout the bulgogi sauce recipe.
Step 4: Slowly whisk in the toasted sesame oil. The oil will slightly emulsify with the other ingredients, creating a glossy finish.
Step 5: Let the sauce sit at room temperature for at least 15-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before using it as a marinade or dipping sauce.
Step 6: To use as a marinade: Pour over 1 to 1.5 lbs of thinly sliced beef and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best) before grilling or pan-searing.
Notes
For the best results, use a Korean pear (Bae). If unavailable, a sweet apple like Fuji or Gala is a better substitute than a citrus fruit. Always slice meat against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- Prep Time: PT10M
- Cook Time: PT0M
- Category: Main Dishes & Savory Recipes
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 85 kcal
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 2.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg