BBQ grilled meat is not only a delicious dish but also an essential part of outdoor parties or family gatherings. However, what makes grilled meat perfect is the dipping sauce. A bowl of rich, flavorful sauce can elevate your dining experience to a whole new level. From the spicy kick of Korean chili sauce to the savory depth of oyster sauce, each dipping sauce recipe offers a unique flavor. In this article, we will share 10 amazing BBQ meat dipping sauce recipes, helping you become a “BBQ chef” at home. Let’s explore and find your favorite recipe
Korean Ssamjang BBQ grilled meat dipping sauce

Ingredients
- Doenjang (Korean soybean miso): 4 tablespoons
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste): 2 tablespoons
- Sesame oil: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: Minced
- Onion: Thinly sliced
- Sesame seeds: Toasted
- Honey or sugar: For sweetness
- Optional: Nuts or seeds for added texture
Instructions
- Mix the ingredients: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well until fully blended.
- Season to taste: Add more gochujang if you prefer a spicier sauce, or more honey if you like it sweeter.
- Serve: Use as a dipping sauce for Korean BBQ grilled meat.
Japanese Yakiniku BBQ grilled meat dipping sauce

Ingredients
- Soy Sauce: 60 ml
- Mirin: 30 ml
- Sugar: 30 ml
- Garlic: 5 ml, minced
- Ginger: 5 ml, minced
- Sesame seeds: 15 ml
- Toasted sesame powder: 15 ml
- Sesame oil: 15 ml
Instructions
- Mix the ingredients: Combine soy sauce, mirin, sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, and toasted sesame powder in a small pot.
- Bring to a boil: Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to boil.
- Finish with sesame oil: Turn off the heat and stir in the sesame oil.
- Serve: Use as a dipping sauce for grilled meat or add it to stir-fried dishes.
Yakiniku dipping sauce is not only great for grilled meat but can also be used in stir-fries, salads, and noodles. Its versatility makes it an essential part of Japanese cuisine.
American-style BBQ grilled meat dipping sauce

Ingredients
- Ketchup: 1 ½ cups
- Apple cider vinegar: ½ cup
- Brown sugar: ¼ cup
- Worcestershire sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Smoked paprika: 1 teaspoon
- Garlic powder: ½ teaspoon
- Onion powder: ½ teaspoon
- Cayenne pepper: ¼ teaspoon (optional)
- Yellow mustard: 2 tablespoons
- Salt and pepper: To taste
Instructions
- Mix the ingredients: Combine all the ingredients in a small pot.
- Bring to a boil: Heat the mixture over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Season: Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Cool and store: Let the sauce cool and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Thailand Nam Jim Jaew BBQ grilled meat dipping sauce

Ingredients
- Green onions: 2 stalks, thinly sliced
- Cilantro: 60 ml, chopped
- Shallots: 60 ml, thinly sliced
- Fish sauce: 105 ml (recommended brands: Three Crabs, Red Boat, and Megachef)
- Fresh lime juice: 60 ml
- Honey: 120 ml (recommended to use local honey)
- Tamarind powder: 60 ml (tamarind powder, tamarind sauce, or concentrated tamarind powder)
- Toasted rice powder (Khao Kua): 60 ml
- Ground dried chili: 15-45 ml (to taste)
- Water: 15-30 ml (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the tamarind mixture: Mix the tamarind powder with water to create a smooth mixture.
- Combine the ingredients: Add palm sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, and chili powder to the tamarind mixture. Stir well.
- Add toasted rice powder: Sprinkle toasted rice powder on top of the mixture.
- Garnish: Top with sliced shallots and chopped cilantro.
- Serve: Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for later use
Some Important Notes:
- Use honey instead of sugar: This recipe uses honey to add sweetness in a healthier way.
- The importance of toasted rice powder (Khao Kua): This ingredient is essential for creating the distinct flavor and texture of the dipping sauce.
- Fish sauce quality: The quality of the fish sauce greatly impacts the final flavor. The Three Crabs brand is recommended for its mild taste.
- Versatility: This dipping sauce can be used with grilled meats, vegetables, sticky rice, and even as a salad dressing.
Thailand Moonkata BBQ grilled meat dipping sauce

Ingredients
- Thai chili peppers: 15 (adjust to taste)
- Garlic: 50 grams
- Coriander roots: 4 roots
- Chili sauce: 200 ml (can use store-bought or homemade Thai chili sauce)
- Water: 75 ml
- Ketchup: 95 ml
- Palm sugar: 90 grams
- White vinegar: 25 ml
- Toasted sesame seeds: 2 tablespoons
Instructions
- Grind the ingredients: Place the chili peppers, garlic, and coriander roots into a blender and grind until smooth.
- Cook the mixture: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat, add the ground mixture, and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the other ingredients: Add water, palm sugar, chili sauce, ketchup, and vinegar to the pan.
- Simmer and stir: Simmer the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the palm sugar dissolves completely.
- Add toasted sesame seeds: Turn off the heat and stir in the toasted sesame seeds.
- Serve: Use as a dipping sauce for Mookata or other grilled dishes.
Vietnamese red chili salt grilled meat dipping sauce

Ingredients
- Red chili peppers: 10
- Lemons: 10
- Calamondin (kumquat): 10
- Kaffir lime leaves: 6
- Condensed milk: 150 ml
- Seasonings: Salt, sugar, monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients:
- Wash the red chili peppers, cut them in half lengthwise, remove the stems and seeds, but keep the seeds for decoration.
- Wash the kaffir lime leaves, remove the stems, and finely chop them.
- Squeeze the juice from the lemons and calamondin (kumquat).
Mix the seasonings:
- In a bowl, combine the lemon and calamondin juice, 25 grams of MSG, 50 grams of salt, 100 grams of sugar, and 150 ml of condensed milk. Stir well until the sugar and salt dissolve completely.
Blend the mixture:
- Place the chopped chili peppers and kaffir lime leaves in a blender. Add the seasoned lemon and calamondin juice mixture to the blender. Blend everything until smooth.
Final steps:
- Pour the blended mixture into a bowl, add the reserved chili seeds, and stir well.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
This dipping sauce has a spicy kick from the chili, a tangy taste from the lemon and calamondin, and a sweet flavor from the condensed milk, creating a diverse and appealing taste when paired with seafood or grilled dishes.
Tamarind sweet and sour sauce for grilled meat

Ingredients
- Ripe tamarind/dried tamarind: 300g
- White sugar: 200g
- Good quality fish sauce: 50ml
- Ground chili: 20g
- Ketchup or plum sauce: 30g (optional)
- Warm water: 300ml
Instructions
- Prepare the tamarind: Soak the ripe tamarind in warm water, use a spoon to mash and extract the tamarind juice. Discard the seeds and fibers.
- Mix the ingredients: Add the tamarind juice, sugar, fish sauce, and ground chili to a pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Finish the sauce: Add ketchup or plum sauce (if using), stir well, and simmer until the sauce thickens. Turn off the heat and let it cool.
- Serve: Use as a dipping sauce for grilled meats or other dishes.
Tips for making delicious grilled meat dipping sauce
To make a delicious grilled meat dipping sauce, keep the following tips in mind:
- Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients: Use fresh ingredients like chili, garlic, ginger, and other spices to create a rich and vibrant flavor.
- Balance the flavors: Adjust the amount of sugar, salt, fish sauce, and chili to achieve the perfect balance between sour, spicy, salty, and sweet.
- Season throughout the cooking process: Continuously taste and adjust the seasoning while cooking to ensure the flavor meets your expectations.
- Proper storage: Store the dipping sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate it to preserve its flavor longer.
Conclusion
Grilled meat dipping sauce is an essential component to complete the dish, adding special flavors and enhancing the dining experience. From traditional recipes in countries like Korea, Japan, and Thailand to creative variations with distinct Vietnamese culinary identity, each sauce offers a perfect combination of ingredients, creating a unique and captivating taste. Experiment with these recipes and adjust them to your personal taste to make each barbecue session even more delightful. Don’t forget to save your favorite recipes and share them with friends and family for a fun and flavorful meal!