Korean BBQ food has seen a huge rise in popularity recently and it’s not hard to see why. We’ve included 15 traditional Korean BBQ recipes that are easy to do and packed with flavor.
Korean-style BBQ Beef – Tasty.co
If you’re cooking for a special someone, this tasty Korean-BBQ dish is the perfect combination of flavor and comfort food.
The recipe suggests serving the dish with rice and sides which makes it really versatile for the perfect dinner. If you want to really intensify the flavor, then let the beef marinate overnight.
Planning ahead isn’t everyone’s forte, so chilling in the fridge for 30 minutes produces tasty results.
Korean Beef Bulgogi – Damn Delicious
If you’re cooking for a larger party, this recipe serves six people.
As you’d expect you’re going to need some authentic Korean cooking ingredients such as gochujang, which is sweet, savoury and spicy red chilli paste. You may be able to pick this up from the grocery store, but if not they sell it on Amazon.
The key to this dish is to slice the beef as thinly as possible. It is suggested that putting the steak in a plastic wrap in the freezer for up to 30 minutes can help this process.
Crispy Korean BBQ Chicken Wings – Cake N Knife
If you’re making some food for the game or having a big family cookout, why not try these Korean BBQ chicken wings and really surprise your guests.
Wings are usually deep-fried which means they’re full of oil and fat. Using this recipe you can still get a delicious crispy coating by grilling or baking them, making it a much healthier option.
You’ll want to prepare this dish in advance, allowing the wings to marinate in a bag in the fridge for at least an hour. The maximum time suggested for these to marinate is overnight.
If you’re not sure what to serve with Korean BBQ wings, why not try a classic of chips and dips if you’re needing a little cooling action from the tangy, spicy wings.
Korean BBQ Chicken – Jo Cooks
This easy recipe is great for an easy midweek meal or as your new go-to marinade. As there is only a 5-minute prep time you can see why it’s perfect for creating a tasty, protein-packed dinner even when time is limited.
The recipe uses chicken drumsticks, but you can use breasts or thighs to produce the same result. Cut down the waste and use whatever cuts of chicken or meat you have lying around. It works perfectly well with beef, fish and pork.
Traditionally, Koreans serve this dish with some fluffy white rice and refreshing cucumber for extra crunch and cooling properties. It works just as well with mashed potatoes, polenta or just steamed vegetables.
Maekjeok (Doenjang Marinated Pork) – Korean Bapsang
Pork shoulder is the best cut of meat for this dish as it’s lean and tender. If you have any pork loin in the fridge, this substitute also works well.
Doenjang is a fermented Korean soybean paste. Mixed with the marinade, it’s salty and savoury which adds an umami flavor without overpowering the dish.
A Korean plum extract also compliments this dish, with the sweetness of the fruit balancing the strong taste of the doenjang.
The dish requires a lot of specific ingredients that are traditional in Korean cooking so if you want to make this dish, it may be beneficial to go to your local Asian supermarket.
Spicy Grilled Shrimp Skewers – Korean Bapsang
Who doesn’t love some shrimp with their BBQ?! Using gochujang in a marinade is a great way to reinvent your usual shrimp recipe. Why not try adding them to a summer salad to add a bit of a kick?
This savoury sauce has a slight hint of sweetness, which can be added to by using sugar or honey if you find the saltiness needs balancing out. Adding these also helps to give the shrimp a lovely brown, crispy coating faster.
Korean BBQ Galbi – All Recipes
This is a very traditional dish usually cooked over wood charcoal. Using a grill, oven or frying pan works just as well.
The ingredients in this recipe are quite simple, and if you cannot find an Asian pear you can swap this for rice wine or a kiwi.
Marinating the ribs overnight is key in this recipe so make sure to plan ahead. Interestingly, the author of the recipe suggests adding cola for extra sweetness if you don’t have sugar or honey lying around.
Spicy Korean BBQ Chicken Pizza – My Korean Kitchen
Pizza and spice go hand in hand, so combining the spicy grilled chicken with some sweet pineapple might be the new crowd-pleaser in your house.
Rather than using a traditional pizza base, the recipe calls for a tortilla instead. Using BBQ sauce as a base really intensifies the flavor of the dish and helps to bind the toppings to the pizza.
Toppings on pizza are always interchangeable, so after you’ve added the marinated chicken feel free to add whatever you fancy to your pizza for an awesome meal.
Korean BBQ Tofu Bowls With Veggies And Quinoa – Oh My Veggies
Here’s one for the non-meat eaters. The basis of Korean BBQ food is the sauce, so it’s easily altered to fit in with different dietary requirements.
Using so many veggies and quinoa compared to rice, this is a lovely light and refreshing dish perfect for warm summer evenings. If you’re looking for a lower-calorie meal, this is also a winner.
The BBQ sauce is poured over the tofu, just as you would with meat, however, there is no need to marinate the tofu. For the best results use extra-firm tofu making sure you press it beforehand.
Vegan Crispy Korean BBQ Tofu – Rabbit & Wolves
Easy to cook, spicy and crispy? What more could you want from a meal! Tofu is a great substitute for meat when cooking Korean BBQ.
To make the tofu extra crispy, coat it in salt and cornstarch and then pan fry. It’s important that you don’t overcrowd the pan.
If you can’t find Gochujang in a grocery store, the recipe suggests using your favorite chilli sauce or paste instead. Serve with rice and a variety of vegetables for a nutritious meal.
Ssamjang Recipe (Korean Dipping Sauce) – My Korean Kitchen
This is the most popular Korean BBQ dipping sauce which is somewhat spicy but is mainly known for its nutty and salty flavor. You’ll find this sauce compliments Korean BBQ pork belly dishes the most.
You can buy this sauce premade, but sometimes things just taste better when you make them yourself. As it only takes 5 minutes to prepare in a food processor, you can’t really go wrong.
You’ll need doenjang and gochujang for the authentic Korean taste. Adding walnuts gives an extra nuttier and creamier quality so bear any allergies in mind.
Soybean Sprout Side Dish – Maangchi
Known in Korean as kongnamul-muchim, this is one of the most common side dishes served with almost every meal. Soybean sprouts are cheap, good for you and can be eaten by meat-eaters and vegans alike.
If you’re cooking this dish for a group that includes vegans, you can substitute the fish sauce for soy sauce.
Once the soybean sprouts are cooked you just need to mix in the rest of the ingredients before serving, it’s that simple!
Can the Korean BBQ Recipes be Modified to Include Grilled Chicken Drumsticks?
Yes, the Korean BBQ recipes can definitely be modified to include juicy grilled chicken drumstick recipes. By marinating the chicken in a Korean BBQ-style sauce and then grilling it to perfection, you can enjoy the delicious flavors of Korean BBQ with the juicy tenderness of grilled chicken drumsticks.
Korean BBQ Grilled Salmon – Garnished Plate
Salmon is a light and healthy fish full of Omega-3, perfect for a weekday dinner. Grilling the fish is easy to do and makes it even healthier.
Remember to cook the salmon to the recommended internal temperature of 145 degrees to kill bacteria. Although you can eat salmon raw there is always a risk of contamination.
This recipe is ideal for those who don’t want to have to make a special journey to an Asian grocery store as these ingredients are commonly found in the cupboard.
Vegan Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef) – Nora Cooks
Not eating meat doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the sweet, smokey and savory flavors of Korean BBQ. This one-pan recipe is the perfect substitute for using beef.
You can replace the beef with mushrooms, meat alternatives, jackfruit or soy curls making it work for all vegans.
Simple ingredients that you usually find in the kitchen make up this dish. The recipe uses agave syrup but if you don’t have that you can also use maple syrup.
When cooking, avoid crowding the pan too much to avoid losing the smoky BBQ flavors.
Spicy Korean BBQ-style Pork – Tasty
Use boneless pork shoulder or pork belly sliced into very thin strips for best results. As previously mentioned, slightly frozen meat allows you to cut it as thinly as possible.
It is recommended to serve in a lettuce or cabbage wrap to soak up the spiciness of the pork. For best results use gochujang.
We hope you enjoy making these delicious recipes and find your new family favorite!