Name: Gochujang Marinade
Prep time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean red chili paste); 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari; 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Are you looking for a marinade that will add a touch of sweet heat to your grilled meats, chicken, or vegetables? Then you need to try making this easy gochujang marinade recipe. Gochujang is a savory and slightly spicy Korean fermented red chili paste that packs a flavor punch. When blended with other Asian-inspired ingredients like ginger, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, it makes a tasty marinade that will infuse your proteins and veggies with delicious umami depth.

This versatile marinade takes just 5 minutes to whip up and can be used to flavor everything from steaks to chicken wings to tofu before throwing them on the grill. The gochujang adds sweetness and lingering heat, while the soy sauce provides saltiness and savory flavor. The ginger, garlic, vinegar, and sesame oil round out the marinade to give it an irresistible Korean barbecue essence.

Read on to learn how to make this quick gochujang marinade at home with simple pantry ingredients. We'll also share serving suggestions and recipe ideas to inspire you to use this flavorful concoction in multiple ways.

Table of Contents

Gather the Marinade Ingredients

Making this marinade is truly hassle-free, requiring just a few basic ingredients you likely already have on hand:

Gochujang - The star of the show, this Korean red chili paste adds sweet heat and umami depth. Look for it in the Asian section of well-stocked supermarkets or at an Asian grocer.
Soy sauce - Use regular soy sauce or tamari for a gluten-free option. Soy sauce contributes to saltiness and savoriness.
Rice wine vinegar - The mild acidity of rice vinegar brightens the other flavors. White wine vinegar also works well.
Toasted sesame oil - A little bit of this aromatic oil gives the marinade nuttiness.
Garlic - Minced or grated garlic provides a punch of raw garlic flavor.
Ginger - Freshly grated ginger enhances the overall flavor profile with its peppery bite.
Brown sugar - A touch of brown sugar balances out the spiciness and enhances the gochujang's natural sweetness.
Sesame seeds - Toasted sesame seeds add extra crunch and nuttiness if you want. They're optional.

Make the Gochujang Marinade

This marinade comes together in just a few minutes. Simply combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix or whisk well until fully incorporated.

Here are step-by-step instructions:

Mince or grate the garlic and ginger.
Measure the gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar, and any optional sesame seeds into a mixing bowl.
Add the minced/grated garlic and ginger.
Whisk everything together until fully blended.
Taste and adjust any seasonings as desired. Add more gochujang for extra heat or brown sugar for added sweetness.

The marinade is now ready to use! It will keep covered in the fridge for up to 1 week. The flavors may deepen over time as the mixture macerates in the fridge.

Marinade Servings and Uses

This recipe makes about 1 cup of gochujang marinade, which is enough to generously flavor:

2 to 3 pounds of chicken or beef
1 to 2 pounds of pork or seafood
1 pound of extra firm tofu or seitan

To marinate, place your protein or veggies into a sealable plastic bag or container. Pour in the marinade, seal, and massage the bag to evenly coat everything. Refrigerate for 1 to 8 hours, flipping occasionally. The longer you marinate, the more flavor will infuse into the ingredients.

When ready to cook, remove your protein or veggies from the marinade and cook as desired, such as grilling, broiling, sautéing, roasting, etc. Discard any used marinade.

Make Gochujang Chicken Wings or Kebabs

Chicken wings and kebabs are especially delicious and prepared with this marinade. Try one of these recipes:

Korean BBQ Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

2 lbs chicken wings, rinsed and patted dry
1 batch gochujang marinade

Instructions:

Place wings in a zip-top bag and pour in marinade. Seal the bag and massage wings to evenly coat. Refrigerate for 2 to 8 hours.
Preheat grill or broiler. Grill or broil wings for 15-20 minutes, flipping occasionally, until cooked through. Brush with extra marinade during the last few minutes if desired.
Garnish with chopped scallions and serve with rice and kimchi.

Gochujang Chicken Kebabs

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small red onion, cut into chunks
Wooden skewers, soaked in water
1 batch gochujang marinade

Instructions:

Thread chicken cubes, pepper, and onion onto skewers. Place in a baking dish.
Pour marinade over kebabs, turning to coat. Marinate 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Preheat grill. Grill kebabs for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through.
Serve over rice or with grilled pita bread.

Make these zesty gochujang chicken recipes on your next grill night - they'll be a huge hit! The marinade also pairs well with beef or pork kebabs.

Conclusion

Whip up a batch of this easy gochujang marinade to add sweet heat and Korean barbecue essence to all kinds of grilled foods. Let the meat or vegetables soak up the flavors for 1 to 8 hours, then cook over high heat on the grill or under the broiler. The possibilities are endless for customizing this marinade to suit your preferences.

We hope these tips and recipe ideas have inspired you to make your own flavorful gochujang marinade at home. Now get ready to take your grilling game up a notch this season with the addictive sweet spiciness of gochujang!