What is Gochugaru and what are its Uses

If you want to add heat and peppery flavor to your favorite dishes instantly, Gochugaru is for you! This fantastic Korean spice staple makes everything taste better, and it’s so easy to make!

What is Gochugaru?

You probably already know about this famous spice if you love Korean drama or cuisine. This vibrant powder is a critical component of many beloved Korean dishes and is easy to make! You can craft delicious kimchi, cucumber salad, and so much more with this fantastic red seasoning, which only takes minutes to make!

 

This excellent seasoning is bright in color and has a palpable delicious flavor, which adds interest and spice to many traditional Korean dishes. It is a ground spice made from dried chili peppers. The peppers in this powdered spice are sun-dried and fully deseeded, so it’s not too hot.

It is sometimes confused with gochujang, but they are not the same. Gochujang is a type of Korean chili paste, and gochugaru is one of the key ingredients. You must make the popular chili paste with its wonderfully peppery flavor.

 

 

 

 

What Will You Love About Making Gochugaru at Home?

• Nothing Beats Homemade!

Making things that are typically bought can be so rewarding, not to mention economical! This simple recipe lets you create your fantastic spice entirely from scratch. Making gochugaru from scratch is a great way to prevent waste and save some pennies.

Ambitious homesteaders can make this tasty spice to use their annual pepper yield, and crafty home cooks will love making an ingredient they can use repeatedly. There is nothing like the pride of homemade and no more accessible homemade component than gochugaru.

 

 

 

• Endless Applications!

This incredible ingredient can add a peppery pop to practically any dish you can imagine! It is a common staple ingredient in Korean cooking, but that doesn’t mean the flavor ends there! Everything tastes better with some spice, and this has just the flavor you have been looking for!

You can use this delicious spice instead of traditional chili powder in some dishes or add it to spice blends for even more depth and complexity. The only limits to this seasoning’s flavorful potential are up to your culinary imagination!

 

 

• Easy to Store!

This recipe is the ultimate in ease. You can make the spice with only one necessary ingredient and one essential piece of equipment! This recipe is so wonderful that you can dream of delicious Korean dishes and make a key ingredient within five minutes.

Not only is this recipe oh-so-easy to make, but the storage is as easy as it gets! Once you mix this delicious spice, it keeps for months of perfectly spiced dishes. This excellent method for making your gochugaru is the gift that keeps giving!

Ingredients 

• Dried Red Chilis –Traditionally, gochugaru uses Cheongyang chili peppers. This is a medium variety of hot peppers. This type of pepper is prevalent in South Korea. They get their name from Cheongyang County, where they are abundant. This spicy type of pepper is related to traditional Korean chili peppers, which are much more pungent.

Cheongyang chili peppers land at about 10,000 on the Scoville heat scale. This makes them hotter than a jalapeno but not as hot as a serrano pepper.

The chili peppers are typically dried in the sun. This helps to concentrate their flavor and enhances their natural sweetness. It’s the perfect way to get the best raw pepper flavor out of fresh pepper.

If you are a great gardener, growing Cheongyang chili peppers is an excellent idea because you will always be able to use the whole harvest thanks to this fantastic recipe!

Serranos and green chiles are great options if you can’t access Cheongyang chili peppers. Just be sure whatever chili pepper you use is dried.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Your Gochugaru

• Remove stems from dried chilis
• Please place them in the coffee grinder and grind until powdered.
• Strain using a filter.
• Discard the seeds.

Recipes you’ll want to try.

Beef Bulgogi

Chili Paste (Gochujang Recipe)

 

Expert Tips and Tricks

• This recipe is straightforward to double or even triple!
• If you have a small grinder, work in batches.

 

 

 

 

How to Store Gochugaru

Gochugaru is a dried spice that can be stored similarly to other dried herbs. Keep your homemade gochugaru in an air-tight container. It can be stored at room temperature in a cool and dry place, like your spice drawer or shelf.

Optionally, you can store the spice in the fridge to extend its shelf life.

Homemade gochugaru does expire. The spice will lose flavor and quality after about three months at room temperature. Gochugaru stored in the fridge will last up to 6 months before expiring.

 

 

Is Gochugaru Good For You?

Surprisingly, spicy foods can make you very healthy! Peppers contain a chemical compound called capsaicin, which has some powerful health benefits. Capsaicin is an anti-inflammatory and anesthetic, meaning it can be transformative for people with chronic pain.

In addition to packing plenty of healthy peppery power, gochugaru is rich in dietary fiber, iron, potassium, and vitamins. Plus, this delicious spice is naturally gluten-free and nut-free.

Uses of Gochugaru

Gochugaru is a versatile spice with a unique flavor profile. It combines heat and a sweet, smoky, slightly fruity flavor. Here are some popular uses:

1. Kimchi: Gochugaru is a crucial ingredient in traditional Korean kimchi, giving it its signature spicy kick.
2. Stews and Soups: Add a pinch of gochugaru to Korean stews and soups like Kimchi Jjigae or Sundubu Jjigae for a fiery flavor boost.
3. Marinades: Use gochugaru in marinades for meats and tofu for a spicy and flavorful twist.
4. Bibimbap: Sprinkle gochugaru over the top of Bibimbap, a popular Korean rice dish, to add color and heat.
5. Side Dishes: It’s also used in Korean side dishes like Banchan to add spice and depth.

Gochugaru is a unique Korean red pepper powder from dried red chili peppers. While it may look similar to regular chili powder or red chili flakes, it has distinct characteristics that set it apart. Here’s some information on substitutes and the differences:

1. Substitutes for Gochugaru:

• • Traditional Red Chili Flakes: If you can’t find gochugaru, you can substitute regular red chili flakes (such as crushed red pepper flakes). However, be aware that the heat level and flavor may vary, so adjust the quantity to your taste. Consider blending the fragments into a finer powder if needed.
  • Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper powder can also be used as a substitute. It is hotter, so use it sparingly and adjust for spiciness.
  • Paprika: Paprika can provide a mild chili flavor without intense heat. It won’t replicate gochugaru’s spiciness but can add color and a subtle smoky flavor to your dish.
  • Ancho Chili Powder: Ancho chili powder is another option, which has a mild to moderate heat level and a slightly sweet, smoky flavor.

Common Questions

• Is Gochugaru Just Chili Powder?

No, gochugaru is not the same as regular chili powder. Gochugaru is made explicitly from sun-dried Korean red. It is typically less spicy than some chili powders. 

• Is Gochugaru Just Red Chili Flakes? 

While gochugaru looks similar to red chili flakes, it’s different. Gochugaru is made by drying red chili peppers in the sun and grinding them into chips or coarse powder. The drying process and the type of chili peppers used give gochugaru its distinctive flavor. On the other hand, red chili flakes can come from various chili pepper varieties and may have a different flavor profile than gochugaru.

• Is Korean Red Pepper Powder the Same as Gochugaru? 

Yes, Korean red pepper powder is another term for gochugaru. It refers to the same product, a staple ingredient in Korean cuisine.

When substituting for gochugaru, remember that your dish’s flavor and spiciness may be affected. It’s a good idea to adjust the quantity and experiment to achieve the desired taste and heat level.

 

Gochugaru vs. Korean Chili Flakes

Gochugaru and Korean chili flakes are essentially the same thing. “gochugaru” is often used interchangeably with “Korean chili flakes.” They are both made from Korean red chili peppers and serve the same culinary purpose in Korean cuisine.

What does it Taste Like?

Gochugaru has a vibrant, spicy flavor with a unique twist. It offers moderate heat, typically less intense than cayenne pepper, and features smoky, sweet, and subtly fruity undertones. Combining these flavors makes gochugaru an indispensable ingredient in many Korean dishes, contributing to their complex and savory profiles.

 

More Recipes You’ll Love

If you need more Korean cuisine, keep cooking with these delicious Korean-inspired dishes.

• Korean Fish Cake
• Air Fryer Korean Cheese Katsu
• Korean Beef Bowl
• Easy Beef Bulgogi Recipe
• Korean Potato Pancake