Make your own Korean hot pepper paste with this quick and easy gochujang recipe. 

Homemade Gochujang Recipe: Ways to Use Korean Chili Paste

Gochujang is a Korean chili paste made from red pepper flakes (gochugaru), fermented soybean powder, barley malt powder, glutinous rice powder, rice syrup, and salt. Chefs ferment the mixture in an earthenware pot called a hangari over many months to make the paste. Homemade gochujang recipes use a range of different prepared ingredients to achieve the preferred texture, flavor, and heat level in a fraction of the time. 

In Korean cuisine, chefs use gochujang as both an ingredient and condiment. Its calling card is smoky, earthy [umami](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-umami-learn-about-umami-and-how-to-incorporate-umami-flavors-in-your-cooking) with a soft, sweet heat. Asian grocery stores dedicate whole aisles to tubs of gochujang and its variants, like chogochujang—which contains added vinegar, sugar, and [sesame seeds](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-sesame-seeds-learn-how-to-cook-with-sesame-seeds)—and ssamjang, which contains doenjang, a fermented soybean paste similar to Japanese [miso paste](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-miso-paste). 
Korean cooking incorporates gochujang paste in a multitude of ways. Here are a few examples:

1. __In soups and stews (jjigae)__: Gochujang lends heat and a depth of flavor to hot soups and stews. Mix in a tablespoon after you’ve sautéed any aromatics to caramelize the sugars briefly before adding the cooking liquid. 
2. __In braises, marinades (bulgogi), and stir-fries__: Combine gochujang with soy sauce, mirin, and [sesame oil](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-sesame-oil-11-sesame-oil-recipe-ideas) for a basic braising liquid for pan-fried [tofu](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-tofu), seafood, or meat, or use it to make bulgogi, a Korean BBQ beef.
3. __In sauce__: Gochujang is a central ingredient in dressing for [bibimbap](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-bibimbap) rice bowls. You can also add a teaspoon of gochujang to the dipping sauce for Korean [kimchi pancakes](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/kimchi-pancake-recipe) (kimchijeon) or [dumplings](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-25-types-of-dumplings-and-homemade-dumplings-recipes).  
4. __In banchan__: Gochujang is a staple ingredient in many popular side dishes in [Korean cooking](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/essential-ingredients-for-traditional-korean-cooking), like spicy pickled cucumbers with gochujang and sesame oil (oi muchim), or variations on the form using other vegetables, like carrots, [fennel](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-fennel-benefits-of-fennel-plus-easy-recipe-and-cooking-ideas), or green beans.  
Store homemade gochujang in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month. An open jar of commercially made gochujang can last up to two years. 
Make your own Korean hot pepper paste with this quick and easy gochujang recipe. 

Gochujang is a Korean chili paste made from red pepper flakes (gochugaru), fermented soybean powder, barley malt powder, glutinous rice powder, rice syrup, and salt. Chefs ferment the mixture in an earthenware pot called a hangari over many months to make the paste. Homemade gochujang recipes use a range of different prepared ingredients to achieve the preferred texture, flavor, and heat level in a fraction of the time. In Korean cuisine, chefs use gochujang as both an ingredient and condiment. Its calling card is smoky, earthy <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-umami-learn-about-umami-and-how-to-incorporate-umami-flavors-in-your-cooking' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-umami-learn-about-umami-and-how-to-incorporate-umami-flavors-in-your-cooking","linkCopy":"umami","category":null}'>umami</a> with a soft, sweet heat. Asian grocery stores dedicate whole aisles to tubs of gochujang and its variants, like chogochujang—which contains added vinegar, sugar, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-sesame-seeds-learn-how-to-cook-with-sesame-seeds' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-sesame-seeds-learn-how-to-cook-with-sesame-seeds","linkCopy":"sesame seeds","category":null}'>sesame seeds</a>—and ssamjang, which contains doenjang, a fermented soybean paste similar to Japanese <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-miso-paste' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-miso-paste","linkCopy":"miso paste","category":null}'>miso paste</a>.

What Is Gochujang?

Korean cooking incorporates gochujang paste in a multitude of ways. Here are a few examples:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. In soups and stews (jjigae): Gochujang lends heat and a depth of flavor to hot soups and stews. Mix in a tablespoon after you’ve sautéed any aromatics to caramelize the sugars briefly before adding the cooking liquid. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. In braises, marinades (bulgogi), and stir-fries: Combine gochujang with soy sauce, mirin, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-sesame-oil-11-sesame-oil-recipe-ideas' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-sesame-oil-11-sesame-oil-recipe-ideas","linkCopy":"sesame oil","category":null}'>sesame oil</a> for a basic braising liquid for pan-fried <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-tofu' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-tofu","linkCopy":"tofu","category":null}'>tofu</a>, seafood, or meat, or use it to make bulgogi, a Korean BBQ beef. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. In sauce: Gochujang is a central ingredient in dressing for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-bibimbap' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-bibimbap","linkCopy":"bibimbap","category":null}'>bibimbap</a> rice bowls. You can also add a teaspoon of gochujang to the dipping sauce for Korean <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/kimchi-pancake-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/kimchi-pancake-recipe","linkCopy":"kimchi pancakes","category":null}'>kimchi pancakes</a> (kimchijeon) or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-25-types-of-dumplings-and-homemade-dumplings-recipes' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-25-types-of-dumplings-and-homemade-dumplings-recipes","linkCopy":"dumplings","category":null}'>dumplings</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. In banchan: Gochujang is a staple ingredient in many popular side dishes in <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/essential-ingredients-for-traditional-korean-cooking' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/essential-ingredients-for-traditional-korean-cooking","linkCopy":"Korean cooking","category":null}'>Korean cooking</a>, like spicy pickled cucumbers with gochujang and sesame oil (oi muchim), or variations on the form using other vegetables, like carrots, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-fennel-benefits-of-fennel-plus-easy-recipe-and-cooking-ideas' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-fennel-benefits-of-fennel-plus-easy-recipe-and-cooking-ideas","linkCopy":"fennel","category":null}'>fennel</a>, or green beans. </li></ol>

4 Ways to Use Gochujang

Store homemade gochujang in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month. An open jar of commercially made gochujang can last up to two years.

How to Store Gochujang

Gochujang Recipe

Make your own Korean hot pepper paste with this quick and easy gochujang recipe.

Make your own Korean hot pepper paste with this quick and easy gochujang recipe. 
