Perfectly spicy and oh so delicious for all your Asian bowls, salads, and more! This Korean hot sauce is one of my favorite sauces to keep on hand with its robust flavors from the peppery gochujang and earthy aromatics. My son call this Korean ketchup because it is the perfect condiment for almost everything!

Sometimes a meal is made by the sauce, for instance, pesto, pasta comes alive when tossed with fresh and bright pesto sauce.  The same holds true with this sauce, salad bowls, wraps, and more are made when this easy and umami forward sauce is added.  Try it and you’ll love the the burst of flavor in every bite!

Why Coconut Aminos vs. Soy Sauce

Soy, it’s everywhere, it’s added to processed foods such as granola bars to chocolate chips, and is refined into inflammatory additives such as hydrolyzed soy protein and soy lecithin.  There are over 50 food additives that are derived from soy and these products are present in almost every single processed food item on your grocers shelves. Did you know that a majority of the soy products you are consuming are derived from either hybridized or genetically modified (GM) corn, and many of these are grown conventionally treated with toxic chemicals like glyphosate (RoundUp.)

Environmental Impact

Across the globe, over 80% of all the GMO crops that are cultivated have been modified against herbicides such as RoundUp.  This means that the crops have had their DNA altered so that they are resistant against chemicals like RoundUp allowing for these toxic chemicals to be sprayed on the crops, killing other plants and pests without harming the crop itself.  The problem with chemicals like glyphosate is that they are now part of the food you eat, and have given rise to “superbugs” and “superweeds” that have become resistant to it and can now only be killed with chemicals that are even more toxic like 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, an ingredient in Agent Orange) shown to correlate with thyroid disorders, hormonal disorders, decreased fertility, birth defects, and cancer [1].

Human Impact

In recent studies, there have been indications of the negative impact GMO foods are having when consumed.  These foods are showing that they may have toxicity on organs, organ systems, and immune health [2]. Consuming foods that have been genetically modified exposes you to a slurry of toxic chemicals, like glyphosate, that has been shown to be carcinogenic [3]. 

Common GMO Foods

The most common GM foods you find in America consist of, but are not limited to canola, corn, soy, and sugar beet (white sugar).  These foods are found in almost every single processed food found on your grocers shelves and freezer section.  Not only are these foods highly inflammatory and should be avoided, but they have been so heavily refined that they lack nutrients as well..

These are just a few reasons why I minimize the soy products my family consumes.

Spicy Gochujang Sauce Ingredients

Makes approximately 1 cup

1 Tbsp Pure Sesame Oil

1 Tbsp Coconut Aminos

2 Cloves Garlic, finely minced

6 oz Paleo Gochujang

1-2 Green Onions, diced

1 Tbsp Sesame seeds (opt)

Filtered Water to thin (opt)

How to Make Spicy Gochujang Sauce

1.  Clean and prep the onion and garlic.

2.  Over low-medium heat, add the sesame oil, green onion and minced garlic to a pan and cook for 3-5 minutes to infuse the oil and gently cook the aromatics. 

3.  Add the coconut aminos, gochujang and sesame seeds and cook over low-medium heat for another 3-5 minutes.

• Add water, 1 Tablespoon at a time to thin if desired
  

4.  Serve with your favorite bowls or lettuce wraps.

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FAQs

Q: The sauce is too spicy for me, what can I do to reduce the spice?

A: You can add some acid or sweet, depending on the flavor profile you are going for.  Try rice wine vinegar or pure maple syrup.

Q: How long will this keep?

A: Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to two weeks.

Q: Can I use garlic and onion powder for this?

A: I grew up with my mom making gochujang sauce this way so I have never tried it with dried spices.  I would start with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 teaspoon of onion powder, try it and let me know how it turns out!

What to Serve with Spicy Gochujang Sauce

Ginger Turkey Meatballs: Tender and juicy turkey meatballs over a fresh and crisp bed of greens, perfect when topped with spicy gochujang sauce!

Chicken Bulgogi Bowls: Tender bulgogi marinated chicken with a sweet and spicy gochugang sauce on a bed of crisp greens and lots of colorful veggies, what more could you want? 

Quick Korean Cucumber Kimchi: This quick Korean cucumber kimchi is a perfect combination of spice, tanginess, and umami!

I hope you enjoy this as much as my family does. – Amy

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