17 Must-Try Gochujang Recipes!

Gochujang is the traditional Korean condiment that’s really having a viral moment in 2024, and I’m here for it! This thick, red paste is made from chili powder, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt, and it’s wonderfully deep, complex umami flavor makes it a unique and versatile ingredient in Korean cuisine and beyond.

I’ve always got a jar of the stuff in my fridge, and it’s a fantastic way to spice up a huge range of dishes. 

In this guide, I’ve rounded up 17 of my favorite recipes using gochujang, from easy dinner ideas like creamy gochujang pasta and gochujang veggie fried rice, to side dishes like spicy slaw, to simple but creative breakfasts like gochujang scrambled eggs. 

1. Creamy Gochujang Pasta

Creamy gochujang pasta combines the rich, spicy flavors of gochujang with a luscious, creamy sauce, making it an irresistible dish.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz pasta
• 1/4 cup gochujang
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions and drain.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Add gochujang and cook for 1 minute.
4. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
5. Add cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese, tossing to coat.
6. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

2. Crispy Gochujang Cauliflower Wings

These crispy gochujang cauliflower wings are a perfect appetizer or snack, offering a spicy and tangy flavor with a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup gochujang
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour and water to form a batter.
3. Dip cauliflower florets in the batter, then coat with panko breadcrumbs.
4. Arrange on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
5. In a small bowl, mix gochujang, soy sauce, maple syrup, and rice vinegar.
6. Toss baked cauliflower in the sauce and garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

3. Gochujang Fried Rice

Gochujang fried rice is a flavorful and spicy dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for using up leftover rice.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked rice
• 1/4 cup gochujang
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions

Instructions:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and mixed vegetables, and sauté until tender.
3. Push vegetables to one side and pour in beaten eggs, scrambling until cooked.
4. Add cooked rice, gochujang, and soy sauce, stirring to combine.
5. Cook until heated through, then garnish with chopped scallions before serving.

4. Air Fryer Gochujang Salmon

This air fryer gochujang salmon is quick, easy, and packed with flavor, making it a healthy and delicious meal option.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1/4 cup gochujang
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• Sesame seeds and chopped scallions for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix gochujang, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and grated ginger.
2. Brush salmon fillets with the gochujang mixture.
3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
4. Place salmon fillets in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions before serving.

5. Gochujang Baked Tofu

Gochujang baked tofu is a flavorful and protein-packed dish that’s perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 block firm tofu, pressed and cubed
• 1/4 cup gochujang
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix gochujang, soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, and garlic.
3. Toss tofu cubes in the gochujang mixture until well coated.
4. Arrange tofu on the baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through, until crispy.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.

6. Sweet and Spicy Gochujang Shrimp

These sweet and spicy gochujang shrimp are a quick and delicious dish that’s perfect for a light dinner or appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup gochujang
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix gochujang, honey, soy sauce, lime juice, vegetable oil, and garlic.
2. Add shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat.
3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add shrimp.
4. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until shrimp are cooked through.
5. Serve immediately.

7. Korean Gochujang Cucumber Salad

This Korean gochujang cucumber salad is a refreshing and spicy side dish that’s perfect for summer meals.

Ingredients:

• 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and garlic.
2. Add cucumber slices and toss to coat.
3. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve chilled.

8. Spicy Gochujang Noodles

These spicy gochujang noodles are quick, flavorful, and perfect for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz noodles (rice noodles, soba, or spaghetti)
• 1/4 cup gochujang
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions

Instructions:

1. Cook noodles according to package instructions and drain.
2. In a bowl, mix gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and garlic.
3. Toss cooked noodles with the gochujang sauce.
4. Garnish with chopped scallions before serving.

9. Gochujang Pork Belly Bites

These gochujang pork belly bites are crispy, savory, and packed with spicy flavor, making them a perfect appetizer or main dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pork belly, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/4 cup gochujang
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix gochujang, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and grated ginger.
3. Toss pork belly pieces in the gochujang mixture until well coated.
4. Arrange pork belly on the baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes, turning halfway through, until crispy.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.

10. Gochujang Glazed Eggplant

This gochujang glazed eggplant is a flavorful and healthy dish that’s perfect for a light meal or side dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium eggplants, sliced into rounds
• 1/4 cup gochujang
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix gochujang, soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, and garlic.
3. Brush eggplant slices with the gochujang mixture and arrange on the baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

11. Gochujang Scrambled Eggs

Spice up your breakfast with these gochujang scrambled eggs, offering a unique and flavorful twist on a classic dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk or plant-based milk
• 1 tablespoon gochujang
• 1 tablespoon butter or oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped chives for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, gochujang, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Pour in the egg mixture and cook, stirring gently, until softly scrambled.
4. Garnish with chopped chives before serving.

12. Spicy Gochujang Mushrooms

These spicy gochujang mushrooms are a quick and flavorful side dish, perfect for adding a kick to your meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. Add mushrooms and cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Stir in gochujang and soy sauce, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

13. Easy Gochujang Broccoli

This easy gochujang broccoli is a quick and healthy side dish, perfect for adding a spicy kick to your meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon water
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Steam broccoli florets until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
2. In a bowl, mix gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, and water.
3. Toss steamed broccoli in the gochujang sauce until well coated.
4. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

14. Gochujang Salad Dressing

This gochujang salad dressing is a spicy and tangy addition to any salad, adding a unique and flavorful twist.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together gochujang, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and garlic until smooth.
2. Drizzle over your favorite salad and toss to combine.

15. Gochujang Burgers

These gochujang burgers are a spicy and savory twist on a classic, perfect for a flavorful and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef or plant-based meat
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Burger buns and desired toppings

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix ground beef or plant-based meat, gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic.
2. Form into patties and cook on a grill or skillet over medium heat until desired doneness.
3. Serve on burger buns with desired toppings.

16. Easy Gochujang Slaw

This easy gochujang slaw is a spicy and tangy side dish that pairs perfectly with burgers, tacos, or grilled meats.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon honey

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix gochujang, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey until smooth.
2. Add shredded cabbage and carrot, and toss to coat.
3. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

17. Gochujang Roasted Carrots

These gochujang roasted carrots are a sweet and spicy side dish that’s perfect for any meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix gochujang, olive oil, maple syrup, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss carrots in the gochujang mixture until well coated.
4. Arrange carrots on the baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes until tender and caramelized.
5. Serve immediately.

These 17 gochujang recipes offer a variety of flavors and textures, making them perfect for adding a spicy kick to your meals. Enjoy experimenting with these dishes and discovering new ways to incorporate gochujang into your cooking!