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Home Condiments and Sauces

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Easy Homemade Gochujang Recipe

Gochujang

Korean Name: 고추장

Romanization: Gochujang

Also Known As: Korean Red Chili Paste

Flavor Profile/Texture:

spicy salty earthy funky

Substitutes:

Miso + Red Chili Pepper Powder

Goes well with:

Deonjang

What is Gochujang ?

gochujang in korean clay jar on grass
Korean Gochujang Hangari

A fermented red chili paste that has an earthy spicy salty and a slight sweetness that can be eaten alone as a dipping or topping sauce to rice bowls or vegetables or used as a base seasoning for many dishes.

Gochujang is a unique Korean cooking ingredient and is made with chili powder, glutinous rice, fermented soybean powder, barley malt powder and salt.

Easy Homemade Gochujang recipe that's almost instant!
Easy Homemade Gochujang recipe that's almost instant!

Here's my recipe for making the full traditional version- How to make Gochujang at Home. Quicker versions can be made, however, it is traditionally fermented over a period of months in earthenware. It can be made or purchased in varying levels of spiciness from mild (순한맛), medium (보통 매운맛), spicy (매운맛).

Not To Be Confused With

Siracha - which has an added sourness and is also missing the earthy and funky fermented flavor.

Dubanjang (Chinese Chili Bean Sauce)

Where and What To Buy

Korean Grocery stores, many regular grocery stores and also online. Gochujang has low gluten but most is not wheat-free. Also, the homemade version is made with rice syrup but many commercially made versions list corn syrup as the 1st ingredient. Also, store-bought gochujang are often not really fermented but more of a flavored mix of different ingredients.

CJ has a gluten free version that you can buy so look for GF labeled ones.

How to Use/Cook

Gochujang is used in marinades, sauces, stews, salad dressings and even in pancakes. Because of its' umami, spicy and salty flavor, it adds great depth of flavor to any dish, not just spiciness.

It's different from Siracha or Tobasco sauce because of the added fermented umami flavor while having no sour flavor.

How to Clean/Store

Unopened Gochujang can be stored in a cool dry place, however it should be refrigerated after opening. Gochujang can last years in the refrigerator if stored in an airtight container or jar. Avoid keeping gochujang in direct sunlight or heat.

Nutrition/Health Info

Homemade Gochujang is fat-free, low in sugar and carbohydrates. The soybean component of gochujang provides a source of protein. Store-bought gochujang can often contain wheat, corn and/or starch syrup which will change the health benefits and levels of sugar (especially when the #1 ingredient is mulyeot 물엿 or syrup) as well as the quality.

It is believed among Koreans that when a person has a weak stomach, gochujang can be eaten to alleviate the symptoms and aid in digestion.

Click here to read more about Gochujang

Recipes that use it:

close up view of poke nachose plated

Poke Nachos with Gochujang Mayo Sauce

Simple Tteokbokki (Korean spicy rice cake)

Vegan Tteokbokki – Spicy Korean Rice Cakes in 15 min

Braised Pike Mackerel (Kkongchi Jorim)

Korean Braised Saury and Rice Lettuce Wraps (Kkongchi Jorim Ssam-bap 꽁치조림 쌈밥)

Pork Bulgogi - Korean BBQ Dweji Bulgogi

Spicy Korean Pork Bulgogi Recipe & Video

bacon wrapped rice cakes put in a row on a plate

Easy Bacon Tteok (Rice Cakes) Gui for the Holidays!

sprouts or microgreens bibimbap served in traditional korean brass bowl

Simple and Easy Saessak Bibimbap Recipe with Microgreens

osam bulgogi spicy squid and pork stir fry all cooked in pan looking spicy and glistening

Spicy Squid and Pork Stir-Fry (Osam Bulgogi 오삼불고기)

gochujang meatballs finished in pot topped with green onions and sesame

Sweet Gochujang Meatballs Appetizer – Instant Pot or Regular

baked chicken on parchment paper with onions caramelized

Korean Spicy Chicken with Gochujang (Oven Baked)

Korean Spicy Cold Noodles (Bibim Guksu)

Bibim Guksu – Korean Spicy Cold Noodles in 20 minutes!

Bibimbap in Dolsot (Stone Pot) with vegetables and beef and egg yolk on top

Dolsot Bibimbap (Korean Stone Pot Rice Bowl)

Gochujang Pancake with Chives (Korean Jangtteok)

Gochujang Pancake (Jangtteok) with Chives

Gochujang Ready after Fermentation

Is My Homemade Gochujang fully Fermented?

Spicy korean dried squid recipe (Ojingeochae Muchim 오징어채 무침)

Korean Spicy Dried Squid Recipe (Ojingeochae Muchim)

Bulgogi Rice Bowl with Perilla Ssukat and Gochujang sauce

Bulgogi Rice Bowl with Gochujang

Korean Rice Bowl with Tuna Salmon and Gochujang sauce

Korean Rice Bowl with Sashimi – Hoedeopbap

spicy squid stir fry with cabbage salad

Spicy Squid Stir Fry (Ojingeo Bokkeum 오징어볶음)

Freshly made gochujang ready for 6 month fermentation - close up

How to make Gochujang at home!

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