Gochujang Fact Sheet

Gochujang is a staple in Korean cooking and one of my favorite condiments to have on hand. Think of gochujang as similar to miso paste —with a kick!  Like miso it is not cooked, but fermented. Gochujang does much more than add spice to your favorite dishes. It adds complexity and layers of flavor that make it spicy, sweet, salty, and funky all at once. It also has a thick consistency and deep red color that adds texture and brightness when used, especially in sauces and marinades. The thick texture of gochujang means that it is a bit difficult to use straight up, so it is usually thinned out with a liquid of some sort. You’ll often find gochujang in Korean dishes like bibimbap and bulgogi, as well as a number of stews and sauces.

Now that you have Gojuchang, you might need a little inspiration for how to use this delicious product. You can find some great recipes on the internet, but for some simple ideas, see the list below for a few ideas. 

  • Try our Korean Tofu soup 

  • Make a double batch of the dressing and use it with one of our rice bowls with some grilled steak, crispy tofu, or chicken.

  • Roasted Squash with Gojochung - Combine 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon gochujang, and a teaspoon of soy sauce. Toss a medium butternut squash (that has been peeled and cut into ¼-inch slices with the 

  • Make a sauce for your next stir-fry - ¼ cup gochujang, 2 tablespoons lemon juice or rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, 1 tablespoon soy sauce,  1 tablespoon dry sherry, and a tablespoon of sesame oil. 

  • Gojochung Roast Chicken -  Coat a whole bird with about ¼ cup of Gojochong several hours ahead of time (or overnight). Then roast in a 400-degree oven until it is cooked through (about 1 hour). 

  • Top a baked sweet potato with kimchi and edamame and drizzle with some of the dressing from the slaw recipe. 

Storing Gochujang: Once opened, gochujang should be stored in the refrigerator. Like miso, it has quite a long shelf life, as long as it hasn’t dried out or changed in color.