Korean Marinade
Elevate your grilling or stir-fry game with this authentic Korean Marinade, a savory-sweet blend that showcases the bold and irresistible flavors of Korean cuisine. Made with soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and a touch of grated Asian pear or red apple for natural sweetness and tenderizing magic, this marinade is perfectly balanced with aromatic garlic, ginger, and sliced green onions. A hint of rice vinegar adds tang, while optional gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes) brings a customizable kick of spice. Sprinkle in sesame seeds for nutty depth, and you've got the ultimate marinade to infuse beef, pork, chicken, tofu, or vegetables with flavor that’s rich, complex, and unforgettable. Ready in just 10 minutes, this versatile marinade is ideal for barbecues, quick weeknight meals, or make-ahead prep—marinate for at least 30 minutes, or let it work its magic overnight for maximum impact. Store leftovers in the fridge, and enjoy the taste of Korea in every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup Soy sauce
- 0.25 cup Brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Sesame oil
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Ginger
- 0.5 each Asian pear (or red apple)
- 2 stalks Green onions
- 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes, optional)
- 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Water
Instructions
Peel and finely grate the garlic cloves and ginger. Set aside.
Peel and finely grate half an Asian pear or a red apple. This adds natural sweetness and helps tenderize the meat.
Thinly slice the green onions into small rounds.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and water. Whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Add the grated garlic, ginger, pear (or apple), and the sliced green onions to the bowl. Stir to combine.
If you like some heat, stir in gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes).
Season with black pepper and sprinkle the sesame seeds into the marinade. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.
Use immediately to marinate your protein of choice (beef, pork, chicken, tofu, or vegetables). For best results, marinate for at least 30 minutes, but preferably 4-6 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
Store any unused marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
573 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.8 g | 43% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.8 g | 24% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 13.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 4633 mg | 201% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 58.1 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.1 g | 22% | |
| Total Sugars | 42.4 g | ||
| Protein | 15.3 g | 31% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 128 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 3.6 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 794 mg | 17% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
