Hi, I'm Remy Park!
Vegan recipe developer, food photographer, & blogger based in NYC.

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An easy, homemade gochujang recipe (Korean chili paste) that is healthy, delicious, and the perfect complement to so many dishes! If you’re gluten-free, this gochujang substitute is for you!

a closeup of a spoon holding red pepper sauce over a jar of sauce.

Hey friends! I’ll make this quick, but while I was in Asia visiting my family, I decided to turn the homemade, gluten-free gochujang that my dad makes for me into a recipe.

Now you too can enjoy the beautiful, spicy, delicious Korean sauce that is still as delicious as classic gochujang but in a healthier, gluten-free way!

P.S. I had my dad hand model for me and had to use a bit of a different style of photography and editing since I didn’t have my usual equipment on hand. Let me know what you all think! Personally, I think my dad nailed the hand modeling.

a glass jar filled with korean chili paste (gochujang)

What is Gochujang Sauce?

If you’re unfamiliar with gochujang, think of it as a spicy red pepper paste or Korean chili paste. You can think of it like hot sauce, but with a uniquely Korean flavour.

It’s used in a lot of Korean cooking, like stews, spicy sauces, stir fry, and to season Bibimbap, one of my favourite Korean dishes. It can even be used as a dipping sauce!

Use this homemade gochujang in this Vegan Bibimbap, Korean Kale & White Bean Soup, or these Spicy Cold Korean Noodles.

a hand mixing Korean chili paste in a glass jar

What Makes This Recipe Great

This recipe for healthy, gluten-free gochujang is not only healthy and gluten-free as the name would suggest, but also vegan, oil-free, and refined sugar-free. It’s easy to make and only requires mixing ingredients in a bowl.

If you’re looking for a gluten-free gochujang substitute or a healthier alternative to the store-bought version, you will love this recipe!

A Healthy Gochujang Recipe

Often, gochujang is made with a little bit of wheat to help the sauce/paste firm up, and one of the number one ingredients is usually sugar. When I say sugar, I mean corn syrup, white refined sugar- the not-so-great stuff.

In addition, there is usually a good amount of low-quality, highly processed oil in the mix to help with the texture and allow the sauce to stay smooth while living on a shelf for months up to a year.

I love to enjoy classic Korean food with easy, healthy swaps, and this recipe is exactly that.

an overhead shot of korean chili paste in a jar with a white spoon

Ingredient Notes

The ingredients needed are quite specific and contribute to the Korean flavour, so I wouldn’t recommend substituting anything.

You can find all of these ingredients at a Korean market, and most Asian markets if there’s one near you. If not, most of them can be sourced online as well, and I’ll link each ingredient online in the recipe card below as well!

Gochugaru (Korean Red Pepper Powder): This is Korean chili powder that gives the red pepper paste its spice and color.
doenjang paste: This paste is made from fermented soybeans. Look for a gluten-free version.
maple syrup: This is an all-natural, unrefined sweetener that I love using. You can also use date syrup.
rice wine: Sake also works.
garlic powder
rice flour: This is used for thickening the red pepper paste.

a whisk mixing recipe ingredients in a metal bowl

Step-by-Step Instructions

Whisk all ingredients together in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add additional water or rice flour as needed to achieve desired texture. It should be in between a sauce and paste.

a hand lifting a white spoon out of a glass jar of red pepper paste

Expert Tips

If you’d like to, you can play around with the ingredient ratios to achieve the flavour you like, but remember that this paste is usually used as a base to create sauces by adding even more ingredients!

Serving Tips

This sauce has so many uses. Use it to spice things up, give amazing flavor, to dip, or to garnish. You really can’t go wrong!

Storage Tips

Store your sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Recipe FAQs

What is a good substitute for gochujang?

This recipe is an excellent gluten-free substitute for traditional gochujang. If you don’t have time to make gochujang or can’t find it at the store, sriracha would be a good substitute as it has a similar spicy and sweet profile. Most sriracha brands are gluten-free and vegan too, making it an easy gochujang substitute in a pinch.

What does gochujang taste like?

This Korean red pepper paste has a unique flavour. It is spicy and savoury, with a subtle sweetness.

Is gochujang the same as red chili paste?

Yes! In English, it is known as red pepper paste or Korean chili paste.

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