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Homemade gochujang substitute
5 from 51 votes

Homemade gochujang substitute

This homemade gochujang substitute blends miso paste, Korean chili powder (gochugaru), maple syrup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and onion powder into a thick, flavorful paste. It replicates the savory, sweet, and spicy notes characteristic of traditional gochujang, making it suitable for use in various Korean dishes when the original paste is unavailable.

Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 16
Calories: 53 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: Asian, Korean

Ingredients

  • ½ cup miso paste
  • ½ cup gochugaru (Korean chilli powder)
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Skip this step if you have a fine chilli powder. Otherwise, add the chilli powder to a blender or spice grinder and blitz until fine (or at least finer).
  2. Place all the ingredients in a small food processor or use an immersion blender to blend everything into a smooth paste.
  3. If your paste is too thick to blend, add water, one teaspoon at a time. I typically add about two tablespoons of water. You want a thick paste similar to the texture of tomato paste.

Notes

  • Adjust chili powder amounts to control the spiciness to your preference, starting with less for milder paste.
  • If you lack gochugaru, refer to ingredient substitute suggestions for similar Korean chili powders.
  • Refrigerate unused paste in a clean, airtight container to keep it fresh for future use.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1tablespoon Calories 53kcal (3%) Carbohydrates 9g (3%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 2g (3%) Saturated Fat 0.3g (2%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 0.3g (2%) Sodium 505mg (21%) Potassium 177mg (4%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 2200IU (44%) Vitamin C 0.1mg (0%) Calcium 36mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 53

% Daily Value*

Serving 1tablespoon
Calories 53kcal 3%
Carbohydrates 9g 3%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 0.3g 2%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.3g 2%
Sodium 505mg 21%
Potassium 177mg 4%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 2200IU 44%
Vitamin C 0.1mg 0%
Calcium 36mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.