Gochujang Sauce – easy to make!

Name: Gochujang Sauce - easy to make!
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 6 tbsp gochujang paste; 1/4 cup honey; 4 tsp rice vinegar; 4 tsp sesame oil (divided); 3 cloves garlic (minced)

By Kevin

published Jan 17, 2022, updated Aug 21, 2023

5 from 3 votes

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Korean gochujang sauce uses a popular chili paste condiment to make a sweet and spicy dipping sauce. Drizzle it over veggies and rice dishes, too.

crispy baked chicken dipped in korean gochujang

When it comes to making a dish complete, there is nothing like a few condiments to tie things together. Whether it’s my creamy garlic toum recipe spread on a warm chicken souvlaki pita, or dipping my corn pakoda recipe in pudina chutney, they complete the meal.

Sauces and dips are easy to prepare and this Korean gochujang sauce recipe is no exception. It’s made in 10 minutes and is perfect drizzled on top anything that needs a kick and it’s just made to be dipped in.

Gochujang sauce

A staple Korean sauce, it has a sweet and spicy flavor with an underlying heat. The main ingredient is gochujang paste, a fermented Korean chili paste made using glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, red chili pepper flakes, and salt.

This sauce is lip smacking good and depending if you like more or less heat, you can add more or less of the gochujang paste.

Cuisine: Korean/Asian

Pronunciation:
gow·choo·jang saas

Course:
Condiment

Preparation:
simmered

Difficulty: Easy 🥄

Description:
Gochujang sauce is a popular Korean chili sauce, and it’s simple to make! Use this recipe for a fiesty hot sauce.

FAQ

What is gochujang paste?

Gochujang is an essential ingredient in Korean cooking. It is a thick, deep red paste made from red chile pepper flakes, glutinous rice (sticky rice), fermented soybeans, and salt. Found in most Asian markets in a red plastic tub.

Is gochujang paste the same as gochujang sauce?

No. While some out there might thin the paste with water, my sauce is quickly simmered with rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil and garlic.

Is gochujang like sriracha?

They are quite similar due to the spicy element and texture, but my gochujang recipe adds a sweet and warming nuance while the vinegar balances it all out.

bottles of sesame oil, raw honey, rice vinegar and hot chili paste

Ingredient notes and substitutions

So, what’s in a good gochujang sauce recipe? Using fresh ingredients gives the best flavor to the sauce, and if you can find authentic Korean ingredients, it will taste even better!

Gochujang paste – a thick, deep red paste made from red chile pepper flakes, glutinous rice (sticky rice), fermented soybeans, and salt
Rice vinegar – adds that needed acidity balance
Honey – for a balanced sweetness
Sesame oil – for a rich, nutty flavor
Garlic – fresh, minced and lightly sautéed

overhead: gochujang sauce inside plastic container

Gochujang recipe tips

What sets my recipe apart from others is I like to simmer the garlic in sesame oil first, then add the other 3 ingredients to cook for 2 more minutes. Many other recipes you see out there just whisk all the ingredients together. By cooking the garlic first, it mellows the intensity and a quick simmer brings it all together!

Store any leftover sauce in a sealed container for up to 10 days. Serve warm or chilled.

dish of korean hot sauce next to plate of crispy chicken wings

Uses for gochujang sauce

This Korean sauce adds great flavor to so many recipes!

It’s THE sauce to drizzle over bibimbap, which is a bowl of warm white rice topped with vegetables, kimchi and a sunny side up egg. It’s fantastic as a dipping sauce for summer rolls, dumplings or crispy baked chicken wings, too.

Another favorite use is with these Hawaiian Stuffed Peppers. It’s a nice switch from teriyaki sauce, trust me.

dipping crispy chicken drumstick into gochujang sauce

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