My Favorite Gochujang Sauce

Meet My Favorite Gochujang Sauce recipe—a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory! Made with raw honey, umami-packed gochujang paste, and a few simple ingredients, this sauce is a game-changer for stir-fries, marinades, or dipping. Quick, easy, and full of flavor! Vegan Option.

After making my Sticky Gochujang Chicken Wings, Gochujang Shrimp Tacos, and Gochujang Sweet Potato + Chickpea Bowl, it was definitely time to share My Favorite Gochujang Sauce recipe. Gochujang sauce is one of those flavor-packed, versatile staples I always keep on hand—it adds the perfect balance of spice, sweetness + umami to just about anything.

You can use it for so many things, like drizzling over grilled meats like Spicy Gochujang Chicken Tenders, tossing with roasted veggies, or even mixing into a stir-fry. It’s a simple sauce, but it totally transforms a dish!

Jump to:

• What Is Gochujang?
• What Is Gochujang Sauce?
• Why You Will LOVE This Gochujang Sauce
• Gochujang Sauce Ingredients
• How To Make My Favorite Gochujang Sauce
• How To Use Gochujang Sauce
• What Can I Use As A Gochujang Substitute?
• My Favorite Gochujang Sauce Q + A's
• More Tasty Homemade Sauces + Dressings
• MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
• My Favorite Gochujang Sauce

What Is Gochujang?

While I rarely adapt foods outside of my Southern or Jamaican roots, I truly love Spicy Gochujang sauce (along with a few other cultural foods), therefore, I wanted to highlight this special sauce which is a part of the Korean culture.

Gochujang is a traditional Korean condiment made from fermented chili peppers, rice, soybeans, and salt. It's known for its deep, umami-rich flavor that balances sweet, spicy, and savory elements. The paste has a thick, sticky consistency and is often used in Korean dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, and kimchi stew. It adds a bold, complex kick to any dish and is a must-have for anyone who loves a bit of heat and flavor in their cooking!

What Is Gochujang Sauce?

I put my own twist on gochujang by turning the paste into a sauce with a touch of honey for sweetness and a few other simple ingredients that really bring it together. This makes it perfect for marinades, dipping sauces, or adding a flavorful kick to dishes like tacos, stir-fries, or roasted veggies.

Why You Will LOVE This Gochujang Sauce

• Super quick and easy, ready in just a few minutes
• Versatile, perfect for marinades, dips, tacos, stir-fries, and more
• Full of umami flavor, with a delicious balance of spicy, sweet, and savory
• Customizable, you can adjust the sweetness or spice level to your taste
• Elevates any dish, adding a bold kick to everything from veggies to meat

Gochujang Sauce Ingredients

This sauce uses simple ingredients, with the exception of gochujang paste, which you can easily find on Amazon, at specialty Asian stores, or even in the international section of your local supermarket as it becomes more popular.

SAUCE:

• Gochujang paste. Typically, you can find mild, medium, and hot varieties, depending on the brand.
• Raw honey. This adds a nice hint of sweetness to the heat. Feel free to use maple syrup or brown sugar if you'd like.
• Tamari sauce. You can also sub with low-sodium soy sauce.
• Rice vinegar. You can also use apple cider vinegar.
• Garlic cloves. Minced.
• Organic vegetable stock. Optional.

How To Make My Favorite Gochujang Sauce

This is seriously so easy and ready in minutes! All you need to do is grab a bowl and whisk together the gochujang paste, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and veggie stock (if you prefer a thinner consistency). Just mix until it’s smooth and well-combined. That’s it! You’ve got yourself a flavorful sauce that’s perfect for so many dishes.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS SOUP!

Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this My Favorite Gochujang Sauce recipe. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

How To Use Gochujang Sauce

Gochujang sauce is super versatile and adds a delicious kick to many dishes! Here are a few ways to use it:

• Use it as a marinade for meats, tofu, or veggies. It’s perfect for grilling or roasting.
• Serve it as a dip for dumplings, spring rolls, or fries for a spicy-sweet flavor boost.
• Drizzle it over tacos, wraps, or sandwiches for a tangy, spicy kick.
• Stir it into your favorite stir-fry for an extra layer of flavor.
• Drizzle over rice bowls, roasted veggies, or salads for a burst of umami.
• Add a spoonful to soups or noodles like ramen to give them a savory kick.

The possibilities are endless, and it’s the perfect way to elevate any dish!

What Can I Use As A Gochujang Substitute?

If you're out of Gochujang or can't find it, here are some substitutes you can use:

• Sriracha + Miso Paste. Mixing sriracha with a bit of miso paste can create a similar depth of flavor, with a bit of spice and umami.
• Chili Garlic Sauce. This is a good substitute if you're looking for a spicy, flavorful kick, though it’s not as thick or sweet as Gochujang.
• Sweet Chili Sauce + Soy Sauce. Combine sweet chili sauce with a splash of soy sauce to mimic both the sweetness and saltiness of Gochujang.
• Korean Red Pepper Flakes (Gochugaru). If you have Gochugaru, you can mix it with a bit of sugar, soy sauce, and garlic to create a substitute that has a similar flavor profile to Gochujang.

My Favorite Gochujang Sauce Q + A's

More Tasty Homemade Sauces + Dressings

Explore these mouthwatering sauce recipes that your whole family will adore after falling for this downright delicious Gochujang Sauce recipe.

• Jalapeno Ranch Sauce
• Spicy Restaurant Style Salsa
• Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning
• Vegan Ranch Dressing
• Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing
• Creamy Chipotle Dressing

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried My Favorite Gochujang Sauce recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

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