Gochujang Stir Fry Recipes

Gochujang is a savory, pungent fermented Korean condiment made from chili powder, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. It has a thick, sticky texture and provides a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and umami flavors.

This versatile ingredient acts as a foundational flavoring agent in many Korean dishes. You'll find it widely used in soups, stews, marinades, dipping sauces, dressings, and of course, stir-fries.

Some key attributes of gochujang include:

• Adds a zesty, complex depth of flavor
• Varies in spiciness levels from mild to fiery hot
• Offers natural sweetness
• Has a rich, thick texture
• Provides a vivid red coloring
• Is commonly called Korean red chili paste or Korean red pepper paste

This magic red condiment makes it easy to infuse traditional Korean flair into any dish.

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Gochujang Stir Fry Sauce

One popular way to use gochujang is by creating a quick and easy stir fry sauce. This builds flavor fast by combining the Korean chili paste with complementary ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger.

You'll only need about 5 main ingredients to make this sauce in minutes. Consider it your secret weapon for weeknight stir fries.

Here's a simple gochujang stir fry sauce recipe to try:

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Ingredients

  

• 1/4 cup gochujang
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

Instructions

 

• In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until well incorporated.
• Let the sauce sit for at least 10 minutes for the flavors to develop.
• Use it to coat proteins and vegetables when stir frying.

Notes

You can adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences. Add more gochujang for extra heat, reduce the vinegar for less tang, or throw in some toasted sesame seeds.

This versatile sauce works beautifully as a quick marinade or dipping sauce too.

Gochujang Beef Stir Fry

Beef is a classic protein to pair with gochujang. The two were simply made for each other.

For a fast weeknight gochujang beef stir fry, slice beef into thin strips and let it marinate briefly in a bit of the sauce. Then cook it up with crisp colorful veggies for a complete meal in minutes.

Here is a simple gochujang beef stir fry recipe:

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Ingredients

  

• 1 pound flank steak, sliced into thin strips
• 3 tablespoons gochujang
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• Green onions, for garnish

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Instructions

 

• In a bowl, combine 3 tablespoons gochujang, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and garlic. Add beef and let marinate 10 minutes.
• Heat a skillet with oil over high heat. Add beef and marinade and cook 1 minute.
• Add broccoli and bell pepper and stir fry 3-4 minutes until beef is cooked through.
• Garnish with green onions and serve.

Notes

For even more flavor, use ginger-garlic paste and gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) in the sauce. Load up on your favorite veggies too.

Gochujang Chicken Stir Fry

Chicken also pairs perfectly with a gochujang glaze. For a quick and healthy dinner, whip up a gochujang chicken stir fry.

The sweet heat of the sauce caramelizes beautifully on the chicken. Serve it over a bed of steaming rice for the ultimate comfort food.

Try this easy gochujang chicken stir fry recipe:

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Ingredients

  

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cubed
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• Sesame seeds and green onions, for garnish

Instructions

 

• In a bowl, combine gochujang, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and garlic. Add chicken and let marinate 10 minutes.
• Heat a skillet with oil over high heat. Add chicken and marinade and cook 2-3 minutes.
• Add broccoli and bell pepper. Stir fry until chicken is cooked through, about 5 more minutes.
• Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

For extra flavor boosts, use garlic paste and gochugaru. Let the chicken marinate longer for more depth. Get creative with your choice of vegetables too.

Tofu Gochujang Stir Fry

For a vegetarian gochujang stir fry, tofu makes a perfect protein. It soaks up the spicy-sweet sauce beautifully.

Crisp pan-fried tofu mixed with tender fresh vegetables drenched in an addicting gochujang glaze - what's not to love? You may have just found your new favorite weeknight dinner.

Try this easy tofu gochujang stir fry recipe:

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Ingredients

  

• 14 ounces extra firm tofu, drained, pressed and cubed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons gochujang
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup snap peas
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• Sesame seeds and green onions, for garnish

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Instructions

 

• Heat a skillet with oil over medium-high heat. Add tofu and cook 5 minutes until browned.
• Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
• Add gochujang, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Cook 2 minutes.
• Add broccoli, snap peas, and bell pepper. Stir fry until crisp-tender, about 5 more minutes.
• Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

For extra flavor, add some grated ginger, gochugaru, or garlic paste. Play around with the vegetables too. This versatile stir fry sauce works its magic on any combo.

Gochujang Pork Stir Fry

You can't go wrong pairing pork with a gochujang glaze either. The sweet and spicy sauce complements the meat perfectly.

For a quick gochujang pork stir fry, simply coat pork tenderloin strips with the sauce and stir fry with crisp vegetables. Dinner ready fast.

Give this easy gochujang pork stir fry a try:

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Ingredients

  

• 1 pound pork tenderloin, sliced into thin strips
• 3 tablespoons gochujang
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups snap peas
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• Sesame seeds and green onions, for garnish

Instructions

 

• In a bowl, whisk together gochujang, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and garlic.
• Add pork strips and let marinate 10 minutes.
• Heat a skillet with oil over high heat. Add pork and marinade and cook 2 minutes.
• Add snap peas and mushrooms. Stir fry until pork is cooked, about 5 more minutes.
• Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

You can use any vegetables you like. Try substituting chili paste or sriracha for the gochujang too. The possibilities are endless with this quick and easy stir fry!

Shrimp Gochujang Stir Fry

For a seafood version, shrimp is fantastic paired with a sweet and spicy gochujang glaze. It creates the ultimate fast, flavorful stir fry.

Give this easy gochujang shrimp stir fry a try:

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Ingredients

  

• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tablespoons gochujang
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• Sesame seeds and green onions, for garnish

Instructions

 

• In a bowl, combine gochujang, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and garlic. Add shrimp and let marinate 10 minutes.
• Heat a skillet with oil over high heat. Add shrimp and marinade and cook 2 minutes.
• Add broccoli and bell pepper. Stir fry until shrimp are pink, about 3 more minutes.
• Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

For extra zing, add some gochugaru or chili garlic paste. Switch up the vegetables too - asparagus, snap peas, carrots, and baby corn all work great.

How to Serve Gochujang Stir Fry

A gochujang stir fry makes a quick and tasty one-pan meal, but it deserves an equally delicious accompaniment. Here are some tasty ways to serve your spicy stir fry:

Over steamed rice - Fluffy white or brown rice soaks up the sauce perfectly. It's the traditional way to enjoy gochujang stir-fries.

With noodles - For a noodle stir fry, use ramen, udon, soba, or rice noodles. They meld beautifully with the sauce.

In lettuce wraps - Spoon the stir fry into lettuce leaves for a fun handheld meal.

With kimchi - The savory spice of kimchi pairs fantastically with a gochujang glaze.

Over cauliflower rice - For a low-carb option, serve your stir fry over riced cauliflower.

With sesame seeds and green onions - These classic garnishes add flavor and crunch. Chopped peanuts and cilantro work too.

Conclusion

Whipping up a flavor-packed gochujang stir fry is easier than you may think. This fermented Korean chili paste acts as a magic ingredient, adding the perfect blend of savory, sweet, and spicy to any protein and vegetable combo with little effort. Make a batch of the simple sauce so it's ready to go anytime. Then just toss in your prepped ingredients and dinner is served in less than 30 minutes. With so many possibilities, from beef to tofu and chicken to shrimp, you could enjoy this quick and tasty meal multiple times a week without tiring of it. Give gochujang stir fry a try for a fun new family favorite. Just be prepared to answer when everyone asks for seconds!

FAQ

What can I substitute for gochujang?

If you don't have gochujang, you can recreate a similar flavor profile by combining red chili paste or sambal oelek with honey or brown sugar and salt. You can also use harissa or sriracha for extra heat. For a milder sauce, mix ketchup with soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger.

Can I prepare a gochujang stir fry without oil?

Yes, you can make an oil-free gochujang stir fry. Use a couple tablespoons of water or broth to cook the aromatics like garlic and ginger. Then add a splash more liquid as needed when stir-frying the protein and vegetables. The moisture from the sauce should be sufficient.

What meats pair well with gochujang?

In addition to the popular options like beef, pork, chicken, and shrimp, gochujang also pairs nicely with duck, turkey, lamb, and fish like salmon or tuna. Meatballs and sausage work well too. Basically any protein benefits from this savory-sweet sauce.

Can I freeze leftover gochujang stir-fry sauce?

Absolutely! Portion the sauce into ice cube trays or small containers before freezing. Frozen gochujang sauce cubes can be popped out and tossed into your next stir fry. The sauce will keep for 3-4 months in the freezer.

What drinks pair well with gochujang stir fry?

Cool, refreshing beverages help balance out the heat. Some tasty options include beer, white wine, sake, green tea, jasmine tea, ginger ale, or lemonade. Several Korean rice-based liquors also make excellent pairings.