Top 5 Recipes with Gochujang
We’ll show you how to use gochujang in five fantastic Korean dinner recipes. Get ready to enjoy delicious flavors, fun fusions, and convenient make-ahead meals with one great common ingredient!
Let’s first start with the basics: What is gochujang (gō-chü-jäŋ) exactly? Gochujang is a fermented red chili paste that is sweet, savory, and spicy all at the same time. Now if the word ‘fermented’ is giving you pause, just remember how amazing things like soy sauce, whiskey, and sourdough bread are fermented, and give gochujang a try!
Since this unique condiment is less spicy and has much more depth of flavor than other hot sauces, it is great for elevating a dish with some heat. With gochujang, you don’t have to worry about it overpowering every other flavor or causing you to reach for a glass of milk. This chili paste also adds authentically Korean hints of smokiness that we know you are going to love.
If you’re excited to see how gochujang can make home cooking extra flavorful, try your hand at the five delicious recipes below. Even if you follow a vegetarian or gluten-free diet, we have diet-specific recipe versions for you, too!
1. Korean BBQ Platter with Bulgogi & Pickled Cucumbers
This BBQ platter is like a Korean version of a fresh taco bar! With sweet and savory beef, rice, pickled cucumbers, crisp greens, and gochujang sauce, this crowd-pleaser is bursting with great flavors and bright colors. Since most parts of this meal can be prepared ahead of time, just set out the components and let everyone have fun customizing their own bowl at the dinner table.
“This was amazing. As good as any Korean restaurant and I made it! So flavorful and lots of textures.”
– Marcia M.
2. Glazed Chicken Thighs with Kimchi Fried Rice
If kimchi fried rice wasn’t already delicious enough, we pair it with sweet and spicy glazed chicken thighs for a combo made in culinary heaven. If you like some heat, be sure to serve extra gochujang sauce on the side for dipping the chicken and artfully drizzling over the rice.
“This was DELICIOUS and easy! A double winner. One of my favorite Cook Smarts meals so far and will definitely be making again.”
– Aileen C.
3. Korean Steak Burritos with Kimchi Slaw
Gochujang-marinated steak and Mexican burritos are amazing in their own rights, but when you bring them together? Magic happens! Roll up sweet and savory steak, kimchi slaw, rice, and spicy gochujang yogurt in this East-meets-West burrito with sesame cucumbers on the side. Also, since all of the components can be prepared ahead of time, you can simply reheat the rice and meat when you’re ready to assemble and eat!
“Absolutely fantastic! I’d eat this every week. Easy and yummy and filling!”
– Jenna H.
4. Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowls
Bulgogi (marinated beef) is a staple in Korean cuisine for good reason – it’s absolutely delicious! Pair it with stir-fried vegetables, rice, and a drizzle of gochujang, and you’ll have yourself a dinnertime hit. Since this Korean-inspired bowl only requires 25 minutes of active cooking, it is about to become one of your favorite weeknight meals.
“This meal was fantastic. Quick to make and super flavorful, and easy to tweak to add anything or any flavor you would like. Officially made our ‘regular rotation’ list.”
– Danny G.
5. Korean-Inspired Beef & Tofu Soup
Colorful, fragrant, and completely unique, this Korean-inspired soup is a delight to the senses. It has the perfect balance of hearty proteins, nutritious veggies, and tangy / umami / spicy elements that will take you on a flavor adventure you’ll want to revisit again and again.
“LOVED this soup! I made it for lunches for the week and everyone kept saying, ‘Ooooh that smells good what is that?’ I added extra Gochujang and kimchi to make it nice and spicy. Came together so easily.”
– Kimberly T.
Now that you’ve explored our gochujang favorites, you’ll be thrilled to know that all of these recipes can be easily found in our recipe archives, which is a beloved perk of our meal plan service. If you want to learn more about receiving great menus and time-savers each week, check out all our features here:
Get more helpful cooking tips and resources by signing up for our newsletter below. We send out weekly emails that will help you improve in the kitchen and live a healthier life, so join our community today and start cooking smarter!
