
Our Korean inspired BBQ rub is a blend of bold flavors, inspired by the rich, smoky, and slightly sweet notes often found in Korean BBQ dishes. While it’s not a traditional Korean recipe, this blend is our take on those unforgettable flavors we’ve come to love.
The rub starts with cumin and mustard, adding a deep earthy base, while smoked paprika (our preference) brings a subtle, smoky warmth. To balance the flavors, we use golden sugar—often referred to as brown sugar—which provides a touch of sweetness that caramelizes beautifully on the grill.
We elevate the rub with kosher salt, butcher grind black pepper for a coarse texture, and gochugaru, the distinctive Korean red chili peppers, for a spicy kick. If you’re after more heat, just increase the amount of gochugaru to suit your taste. Finally, a hint of onion rounds everything out, making this a versatile rub for meats, veggies, or anything else that needs a flavor boost.
This rub celebrates the inspiration of Korean BBQ while bringing in a few flavors of our own. It’s perfect for anyone looking to spice up their grilling game!
Korean Inspired BBQ Rub Spice Blend
Equipment
- Scale
- Bowl
- Mason Jar
Ingredients
- 30 g Cumin, ground
- 12 g Mustard, ground
- 42 g Paprika, ground We prefer smoked paprika
- 53 g Sugar, golden Often referred too as brown sugar
- 35 g Kosher salt
- 18 g Black pepper, butcher grind
- 30 g Gochugaru Korean red chili peppers
- 24 g Onion, granulated or powder
If you want it hotter?
- 30 g Gochugaru
Where is the garlic?
- 20 g Garlic, granulated or powder I am sensitive to garlic, so I didn't test this recipe with it.
Instructions
- Prepare your container: Place a bowl or mason jar directly on your kitchen scale. Be sure it’s large enough to hold all the ingredients.
- Weigh your spices: One by one, weigh out each spice directly into the bowl or jar. Start with cumin, mustard, paprika (or smoked paprika), golden sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, gochugaru, and onion powder.
- Mix thoroughly: Once all the spices are weighed, stir or shake vigorously until the blend is uniform in color and texture.
- Store and use: Seal your jar or transfer the mix into an airtight container to maintain freshness.