Alternative Uses for Gochujang

Gochujang is a fermented chilli paste that is commonly used in Korean cuisine. Usually, it is used in soup bases, as a marinade, as a dipping sauce or with noodles. We think this flavourful paste should be added to even more foods, so we’ve thought of some alternative uses for gochujang, so you can create Korean-fusion dishes and enjoy this ingredient even more!

Gochujang Salad Dressing Recipe

For a simple salad dressing recipe with a kick of spice, mix gochujang with vinegar, oil and honey for a sweet and spicy dressing.

Gochujang Pizza Topping Recipe

When making a homemade pizza, swap out your tomato or BBQ sauce for gochujang. Simply spread gochujang paste onto a pizza base and top with cheese, veggies and meat of your choice for a Korean-Italian fusion dinner. It’ll give your pizza a deliciously spicy twist!

Gochujang Bloody Mary

For a spicy and savoury twist on a classic cocktail, add a tablespoon of gochujang to your Bloody Mary. This spicy kick is sure to get you going in the morning!

Gochujang Burger Sauce

Mix a spoonful of gochujang paste into mayo to create a spicy condiment that works wonderfully in burgers and sandwiches or simply as a dip for your fries.

Gochujang Popcorn

Stir a spoonful of gochujang into melted butter and add a spoonful of soy sauce to create a sweet, spicy and salty seasoning that is delicious over popcorn. Make fresh popped corn and coat in this gochujang butter seasoning for a fun twist on movie nights.

Gochujang BBQ Sauce

Mix gochujang paste with ketchup, soy sauce and brown sugar to create a BBQ sauce with a kick. This can be used as a dip or as a BBQ sauce to coat meat or veggies in before grilling.

Gochujang Rigatoni Pasta

A spicy, creamy take on pasta, this gochujang rigatoni recipe from @madeleinesmeals is a simple dish that brings together the best of Korean and Italian cuisine. With only four ingredients, you can whip up this dish so easily on a weekday or for lunch.

Ingredients:

• Rigatoni - or pasta of choice
• 3 or 4 cloves of garlic, finely diced
• 2 tbsp gochujang
• 2 tbsp light cream cheese or you could use single cream
• Optional garnishes: parmesan, fresh herbs, sesame seeds etc

Recipe:

1. Pop your pasta on to boil in salted water and cook according to pack instructions.
2. Meanwhile, gently fry your garlic and once fragrant, add in your gochujang and cream cheese (or cream) and loosen with a splash of pasta water.
3. Once your pasta is cooked, take more of the pasta water from the pan, add to the sauce and let simmer until you’ve reached desired consistency. Add any more gochujang or cream cheese as necessary. Season generously with salt and pepper.
4. Add the rigatoni to the sauce and mix through until evenly coated. Serve up and garnish with optional parmesan, fresh herbs and chilli flakes if you fancy an extra kick.

For more classic gochujang dishes, take a look at our Sweet and Spicy Gochujang Noodles Recipe.