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!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 1

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

Directions

Step 1

Peel and finely grate the garlic cloves and ginger. Set aside.

Step 2

Peel and finely grate half an Asian pear or a red apple. This adds natural sweetness and helps tenderize the meat.

Step 3

Thinly slice the green onions into small rounds.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

Add the grated garlic, ginger, pear (or apple), and the sliced green onions to the bowl. Stir to combine.

Step 6

If you like some heat, stir in gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes).

Step 7

Season with black pepper and sprinkle the sesame seeds into the marinade. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.

Step 8

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.

Step 9

Store any unused marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(383.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	572.8

Total Fat 33.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 13.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4632.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 58.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.1g	0%
Total Sugars 42.4g
Protein 15.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 128.0mg	0%
Iron 3.6mg	0%
Potassium 794.0mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.9%

Protein: 10.2%

Carbs: 38.9%