11 Gochujang Substitutes to Spice Up Your Korean-Inspired Recipes

You’re familiar with the bold, savory flavor of gochujang, but what if you can’t find it or want to mix things up? You’re in luck! You’ve got options – 11 of them, to be exact.

From spicy and smoky to sweet and savory, these gochujang substitutes will add a new dimension to your Korean-inspired recipes.

Whether you’re looking for a similar heat level or a drastic flavor shift, there’s a substitute on this list that’s sure to intrigue. But which one will you choose?

At a Glance

• Sambal Oelek is a suitable substitute for gochujang, offering a bold, spicy flavor with antioxidants and vitamins.
• Gochugaru, Korean red pepper flakes, can be used to add depth and slow-building heat to Korean-inspired dishes.
• Sriracha Sauce can be used as a substitute, blending chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt for a spicy kick.
• For a North African twist, Harissa chili pepper paste can add a slow-building heat and aromatic flavor to Korean-inspired recipes.
• Miso Paste With Korean Chili combines fermented miso flavors with spicy kick, adding depth to dishes without sugary undertones.

Sambal Oelek: A Spicy Standby

In the heat of the moment, when gochujang is nowhere to be found, Sambal Oelek swoops in as a trusty substitute, bringing its own brand of fiery intensity to the table.

This chili paste, originating from Indonesia, packs a punch with its bold, spicy flavor that’s sure to elevate your Korean-inspired dishes. You’ll appreciate its versatility, as it can be used in marinades, sauces, and stir-fries, adding depth and heat to your recipes.

Beyond its ability to substitute for gochujang, Sambal Oelek offers its own unique benefits.

Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, this spicy paste can help boost your immune system and fight off inflammation. Plus, its intense flavor can help reduce the need for added salt and sugar, making it a healthier alternative to other condiments.

With Sambal Oelek in your pantry, you’ll be well-equipped to add a spicy kick to any dish, while also reaping the rewards of its nutritional benefits.

Gochugaru: Korean Red Pepper Flakes

Exploring the world of Korean chili flakes, you’ll discover gochugaru, a potent and aromatic spice that brings the heat to your dishes.

This Korean red pepper flake is a staple in many Korean recipes, adding depth and a slow-building heat that will leave you craving more. Gochugaru’s pepper flavor profile is complex, with notes of smokiness and a slightly sweet undertone that balances out its intense Korean heat levels.

When using gochugaru, start with a small amount and adjust to taste, as its heat can quickly overpower other flavors.

You can add it to soups, stews, or marinades for a bold kick, or use it as a finishing spice to add a burst of flavor to your dishes. Gochugaru is also an excellent addition to homemade kimchi, adding a vibrant red color and an intense heat that will make your taste buds tingle.

With its versatility and adaptability, gochugaru is an essential spice to have in your pantry for any Korean-inspired recipe.

Sriracha Sauce: A Sweet and Spicy Mix

You’ve mastered the bold, spicy flavor of gochugaru, and now you’re ready to ignite your dishes with another fiery favorite: Sriracha sauce.

This Asian hot sauce originated in Thailand, where it was created by Huy Fong Foods founder David Tran in the 1980s.

Tran’s recipe blended chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt to create a sweet and spicy condiment that’s now a staple in many kitchens.

Sriracha benefits extend beyond its flavor profile.

The chili peppers in Sriracha contain capsaicin, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and can help boost metabolism.

Additionally, the antioxidants in the sauce may help protect against cell damage and reduce the risk of certain diseases.

When using Sriracha as a gochujang substitute, start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

You can add it to marinades, sauces, or use it as a finishing touch for noodles, stir-fries, and more.

With its balanced flavor and numerous health benefits, Sriracha sauce is an excellent addition to your Korean-inspired recipes.

Harissa: North African Heat

Heat up your dishes with Harissa, a North African chili pepper paste that packs a punch of flavor and fire.

As you explore the world of gochujang substitutes, you’ll find that Harissa brings a unique blend of African flavors to your Korean-inspired recipes.

This chili pepper paste is made from roasted red peppers, garlic, coriander, and caraway, giving it a depth of flavor that’s both aromatic and spicy.

When it comes to spice levels, Harissa can range from moderately hot to extremely fiery, depending on the type and brand you choose.

If you’re looking for a substitute that will add a slow-building heat to your dishes, Harissa is an excellent option.

You can use it to add flavor to marinades, sauces, and stir-fries, or as a finishing touch to add a pop of heat to your meals.

With its rich, slightly sweet flavor and adaptable spice level, Harissa is an excellent addition to your pantry, and a great way to add some North African flair to your Korean-inspired cooking.

Frank’s RedHot: A Buffalo-Style Twist

From the aromatic flavors of North Africa, let’s shift gears to the spicy spirit of Buffalo, New York, where Frank’s RedHot sauce has been igniting taste buds since 1920.

This iconic hot sauce is a staple in American cuisine, and its bold, tangy flavor can add a Buffalo-style twist to your Korean-inspired dishes.

Imagine the fusion of spicy Korean chili flakes and the rich, buttery essence of Buffalo wings – it’s a match made in heaven!

By substituting Frank’s RedHot for gochujang, you’ll create a unique flavor profile that’s both familiar and exotic.

Add a dash to your deviled eggs for a spicy kick, or use it to marinate chicken or pork for a bold, savory flavor.

When experimenting with Frank’s RedHot, remember that a little goes a long way – start with a small amount and adjust to taste, as the heat level can quickly intensify.

With this versatile hot sauce, the possibilities are endless, and your taste buds will thank you for the adventure!

Chili Garlic Paste: A Flavorful Combo

As you venture into the domain of gochujang substitutes, chili garlic paste emerges as a potent contender, bringing a depth of flavor that’s hard to ignore.

This Asian-inspired condiment combines the pungency of garlic with the slow-burning heat of chilies, creating a flavor profile that’s both savory and spicy.

The garlic intensity in chili garlic paste is balanced by a subtle sweetness, making it an excellent addition to marinades, sauces, and stir-fries.

When substituting chili garlic paste for gochujang, you’ll find that it adds a more pronounced garlic flavor to your dishes.

This can be a welcome change, especially if you’re looking to add more depth to your Korean-inspired recipes.

The flavor profiles of chili garlic paste and gochujang do overlap, but the former has a more pronounced umami taste, making it an excellent choice for those who love bold flavors.

With chili garlic paste, you can experiment with different levels of heat and garlic intensity to find the perfect balance for your taste buds.

Korean Chili Flakes: A Similar Heat

Korean Chili Flakes: A Similar Heat

Vibrancy explodes on your palate when you introduce Korean chili flakes into the mix, a potent substitute for gochujang that will leave you craving more.

These flakes are made from dried and crushed Korean peppers, which have a rich history dating back to the 16th century.

Korean chili flakes, also known as gochugaru, come in various levels of heat and flavor, ranging from mildly sweet to fiery hot.

You can choose from different variations, such as fine flakes for sauces or coarser flakes for adding texture to dishes.

When using Korean chili flakes, start with a small amount and adjust to taste, as they can quickly overpower other flavors.

With their intense heat and depth of flavor, Korean chili flakes are an excellent substitute for gochujang in many Korean-inspired recipes.

They add a bold, spicy kick to marinades, stir-fries, and soups, making them a staple in your pantry.

Ancho Chili Paste: Smoky and Savory

You’ve added a bold, spicy kick to your dishes with Korean chili flakes, but now it’s time to introduce a deeper, richer flavor to the mix.

Ancho chili paste is the perfect addition to take your Korean-inspired recipes to the next level. This Mexican chili paste is made from dried ancho chilies and has a thick, velvety texture that’s bursting with flavor.

With its smoky undertones and savory depth, ancho chili paste adds a complexity to your dishes that’s hard to replicate with other ingredients.

When you add ancho chili paste to your recipes, you’ll notice a subtle sweetness and a slightly sweet, raisin-like flavor that complements the heat of the chilies.

This paste is incredibly versatile and can be used in everything from marinades and sauces to soups and stews.

Whether you’re making Korean-style BBQ or a spicy soup, ancho chili paste is the perfect substitute for gochujang.

Chipotle Peppers in Adobo

Flavor profiles collide when smoky heat meets depth of flavor, and that’s exactly what happens when you introduce chipotle peppers in adobo into your Korean-inspired recipes.

You’ll experience a spicy depth that complements the bold, savory flavors often found in Korean dishes. The smoky undertones of the chipotle peppers add a new dimension to your meals, making them more complex and intriguing.

When using chipotle peppers in adobo, you can expect a moderate level of heat, which is perfect for those who like a little kick but don’t want to overwhelm their taste buds.

The adobo sauce, made with tomatoes, onions, and spices, adds a rich, slightly sweet flavor that balances out the heat. This combination makes chipotle peppers in adobo an excellent substitute for gochujang in many recipes.

Try using them in stir-fries, marinades, or sauces to add a bold, spicy kick. With chipotle peppers in adobo, you’ll be able to create Korean-inspired dishes that are both authentic and exciting.

Sweet Chili Sauce: A Milder Option

If the smoky heat of chipotle peppers in adobo is too intense, sweet chili sauce offers a milder alternative that still packs a punch.

This sweet and spicy condiment, commonly used in Asian cuisine, has a flavor profile that’s both sweet and savory, making it an excellent substitute for gochujang.

With a thinner consistency than gochujang, sweet chili sauce adds a tangy, slightly sweet flavor to your dishes without overpowering them.

As a milder alternative, sweet chili sauce is perfect for those who want to add a touch of heat without overwhelming their taste buds.

You can use it as a marinade, a stir-fry sauce, or even as a dipping sauce for your favorite Korean-inspired dishes.

Sweet chili sauce is also a great option if you’re looking for a more accessible flavor that’s easy to find in most supermarkets.

With its balanced flavor profile and versatility, sweet chili sauce is an excellent gochujang substitute that will add depth and excitement to your Korean-inspired recipes.

Miso Paste With Korean Chili

Beyond the sweet and spicy domain of sweet chili sauce, miso paste with Korean chili offers a savory and umami-rich alternative to gochujang.

You’ll love how this combination adds depth to your Korean-inspired dishes.

The fermented miso flavors meld beautifully with the bold, spicy kick of Korean chili, creating a harmonious balance of savory and sweet.

This substitute is perfect for those who want to avoid the sugary undertones of gochujang.

When using miso paste with Korean chili, start by mixing a small amount of the chili flakes into the miso paste.

Taste and adjust as you go, adding more heat or richness to your liking.

This Korean fusion of flavors will elevate your dishes, from stir-fries to marinades.

You can also experiment with different types of miso paste, such as white or red, to change the flavor profile.

With miso paste and Korean chili, you’ll discover a world of umami flavors that will make your taste buds do the K-pop dance.

FAQs

Can I Use Gochujang Substitutes in Traditional Korean Recipes?

When cooking traditional Korean dishes, you might wonder if gochujang substitutes will compromise cultural authenticity. Honestly, they’ll alter flavor profiles, so use them sparingly; if you want an authentic taste, stick to the real deal for the most vibrant, depthful flavors.

Are Gochujang Substitutes Suitable for Vegetarian or Vegan Diets?

You’re wondering if gochujang substitutes align with your vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, right? Luckily, many vegan alternatives and meatless options are available, allowing you to savor the flavors of Korea while staying true to your dietary choices.

Can I Mix Gochujang Substitutes With Other Ingredients for a Unique Flavor?

You can definitely mix and match to create unique flavor profiles by combining gochujang substitutes with other ingredients, adjusting spice levels to your taste, and experimenting with sweet, sour, or umami notes to craft a signature flavor that’s all yours!

Do Gochujang Substitutes Have the Same Health Benefits as Gochujang?

You’re wondering if gochujang substitutes pack the same health punch as the real deal? While they may lack the fermented flavor, many retain nutrients like antioxidants and vitamins, but nutrient retention varies depending on the substitute and production process.

Can I Make My Own Gochujang Substitute at Home?

You can whip up a homemade gochujang substitute in no time! By mixing chili flakes, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and sesame oil, you’ll create a flavor profile that’s remarkably close to the real deal, with a depth of umami and a slow-building heat.