Is Gochujang gluten free? We have the answer!
Exploring a new country or trying your hand at cooking exotic meals can be tricky if you have dietary limits. We get how that ongoing stress can be a real downer.
Gochujang is the kick starter for stews, forms the foundation for stir-fries, and sneaks into sauces and dips. It’s that big of a deal in Korean cuisine.
Gochujang is sweet, tangy, salty, and really spicy too. So, is Gochujang gluten free?
Sadly, quite a few Gochujang choices out there contain a good amount of gluten. This gluten is mostly from rice, and many store brands of Gochujang have soy, wheat, or barley as main ingredients.
Sure, if you’re not friends with gluten, this could be an issue. But don’t worry; there are gluten-free alternatives available.
So we will be dishing out the top 5 gluten-free Gochujang picks. We’ve done the digging to round up legit choices that bring on the tasty goodness.
We’re crossing our fingers that you’ll stumble upon something that suits your requirements!
Gochujang: An Overview
Ever wondered about a product’s backstory? Well, Gochujang is in the spotlight this time. But before we dive into the gluten-free question – “Is Gochujang gluten free?” – let’s get to know Gochujang better.
Gochujang is like a gustatory blast – spicy, tasty, and savory. You’ll usually spot it as a red chili paste, but there’s also a “sauce” version to shake things up.
Using Gochujang as a flavor boost to stews, dipping sauces, and marinades is a great idea.
You’ll find it lending its magic to dishes like beef bulgogi, Tteokbokki, and Korean fried chicken.
This ruby-red sauce comes from salt, fermented soybeans, sticky rice, and Korean red chili pepper flakes.
But in some recipes, they throw in soy sauce and barley malt, which are no-gos for gluten-free folks.
Barley is part of the gluten gang with rye and wheat, while soy sauce often has its share of grain.
If you’re grabbing some gochujang from a store, take a moment to give the product packaging a close look to ensure it’s free from gluten-packed ingredients.
Is Gochujang Gluten Free?
So, you’ve seen that Gochujang is this thick, red paste full of tangy and salty flavors that can amp up any dish. But here’s the thing: is Gochujang gluten free?
In many cases, traditional versions of gochujang aren’t gluten-free. Many contain ingredients like rice, and some even include wheat or barley, so they can’t be considered gluten-free.
There are gluten-free alternatives available for this tasty red chili paste. But, you do need to examine the ingredients to ensure it’s gluten-free thoroughly and doesn’t include any unwanted additives.
Also Read: Is Granola Gluten Free? (Everything to Know) and Do Sour Patch Kids Have Gelatin? (Answered)
What Foods Contain Gochujang?
Gochujang is a key ingredient in Korean dishes like gochujang chicken, tteokbokki, and dolsot bibimbap.
Remember, each gochujang recipe can be different, so double-check if dishes using this red chili paste are gluten-free before digging in.
Some Gluten-Free Gochujang You Can Try
Yes, you can find gluten-free Gochujang!
Luckily, as Korean food becomes more popular, there are more and more options available for people with food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Usually, if gochujang doesn’t have gluten, it will say so on the label.
Check out our top picks for gluten-free gochujang brands below! We’ll go over the ingredients, tastes, as well as a few advantages and shortcomings of each brand.
Join us!
1. Q-Rapha Premium Korean Gochujang
The first on the list is undoubtedly a top-notch choice because it tastes incredible.
You can grab a single jar or go for bigger ones if you need more.
Q-Rapha, which falls into the category of unpasteurized artisanal hot sauce, is non-GMO and hundred percent gluten-free.
Made and packaged in the USA, this company relies on traditional fermentation methods for their chili peppers. They stick to the basics, using just what’s necessary to create the paste.
This paste goes through a natural aging and fermentation process. It was first developed by a skilled Korean artisan using an old-school recipe and method, resulting in a rich flavor that stands out.
While Q-Rapha mainly consists of chili peppers and undergoes natural aging and fermentation, it does come at a slightly higher cost, given the size of the jar.
2. Wegmans Gochujang
Tailored for the American grocery chain, Wegmans Gochujang easily takes the top spot as a favorite!
Unlike several gluten-free gochujang options that lean towards sweetness, this brand strikes a good balance with its noticeable spiciness.
Plus, it’s vegan-friendly, lactose-free, and gluten-free.
The Wegmans brand is exclusively found in their store outlets; unfortunately, you won’t find it on Amazon.
But even though it’s a great brand, many folks don’t like the container it comes in. The gochujang from Wegmans is packaged in a small squeeze bottle, which some people find inconvenient.
They stash gochujang in these big lidded boxes in Korea. So, when you want some, scoop it out easily.
But the containers here are small, so you could end up using almost half a Wegmans gochujang bottle for just one recipe!
3. Chung Jung One Sunchang Hot Pepper Paste
Chung Jung is as sweet as it is spicy! It’s the real deal from Korea, and it’s completely free of gluten.
They’re careful about what goes in it, so besides being gluten-free, there’s no corn syrup either. The label proudly says it’s gluten-free and suitable for vegans too.
To make Chung Jung, they combine fermented chili peppers, red pepper powder, and brown rice.
They keep things reliable by using clean water and creating it in a fermentation-friendly environment.
When you check out the ingredients, you’ll see nothing sketchy added in. It’s just the regular stuff that gives you a reliably excellent taste. And trust us; it’s so delicious!
4. Koko Gochujang
Koko Gochujang makes Korean goodies and stuff for kosher folks. It is all-natural, gluten and GMO-free, and vegan.
The taste is mellow and a bit sweet, not crazy spicy. So, if you’re not a fan of heat, this brand’s got your back.
Even though Koko Gochujang brags about being all-natural, lots of folks are taken aback by the packaging because it’s made from tough plastic.
In Korea, they usually stick to hard plastic containers for their fermented goods. Finding gochujang in glass at the store? That’s pretty rare.
5. Mr. Bing Chili Crisp Chili Paste
This chili paste is designed as a copycat version of gochujang. It’s a tad more textured than some other paste choices, but it tastes the same, and you can use it in all the same ways.
This chili paste is not only suitable for gluten-free people but also friendly to vegans.
What caught our attention is that it’s completely MSG-free, which is a nice touch!
There’s a nice little twist from the regular gochujang because they’ve thrown in red pepper flakes.
Remember, even though Mr. Bing offers a milder choice, it’s not the real gochujang; it has an oilier texture rather than a paste-like consistency.
Two Best Gochujang Recipes
Here you are, ready to give your dishes that spicy punch! Get set to mix in this chili paste and bring some bold flavors to your cooking.
By the way, gochujang paste is also known as Korean Chili paste, so you’ll see it called that in many recipes.
Whether you’re a newbie to gochujang or a gochujang pro, these recipes will be a hit. Let’s jump right in!
1. Korean Fried Chicken
Korean fried chicken is simply crispy fried chicken coated in gochujang sauce. We can practically see you drooling already!
If you’re familiar with frying chicken, this will be a breeze.
Alright, let’s skip the chicken frying part and jump straight into some Gochujang action, shall we?
All you need is fried chicken and Gochujang paste.
Korean Fried Chicken Instructions:
- Once your chicken has turned a lovely golden brown, remove it from the oil.
- Coat the chicken pieces evenly with the Gochujang paste.
- Include green onions, sesame seeds, and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Your Korean fried chicken is ready! Super simple!
2. Kimchi
Kimchi is a Korean delicacy made from fermented and salted vegetables like radishes and cabbage.
It’s super tasty, with abundant nutrients, including probiotics, so you can enjoy it with almost any food. No jokes!
You’ll want ginger, Napa cabbage, daikon, garlic, garlic, carrots, and of course, the essential Gochujang paste for this recipe.
Kimchi Instructions:
- Cut the Napa cabbage into slices and place it in a large pan. Pour in some salted water and allow it to sit for a couple of hours.
- Slice the daikon.
- Shred the carrots.
- Grate the ginger and dice the fresh garlic
- Grate the apple.
- Remove the salty water from the cabbage by draining it.
- Next, mix all the previously mentioned ingredients with the cabbage.
- Put in the Gochujang paste and thoroughly blend it with the vegetables.
- Transfer this mixture into a jar and let it ferment for a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions-Is Gochujang Gluten Free?
Should I Refrigerate Gochujang?
After opening, store the gochujang in the fridge to keep it fresh. But if it’s sealed, room temperature is cool for storage.
What Is a Gluten-Free Alternative to Gochujang?
If you’re looking for a great gluten-free option instead of Gochujang, sriracha is fantastic. It has a similar spicy-sweet taste and is usually vegan and gluten-free, making it a convenient substitute when needed.
Is Gochujang Same as Kimchi?
No, they are not the same. Gochujang is created by fermenting red pepper powder, glutinous rice powder, and meju powder.
Similarly, kimchi, another Korean fermented food, is a beautiful side dish known for enhancing the flavors of other foods.
What Do Koreans Use Gochujang For?
Gochujang is a primary component in stews like Tteokbokki, Dakgalbi, and Budae Jjigae.
They add it to soups and dipping sauces and apply it as a marinade for meats like chicken.
Can Gochujang Be Eaten Directly?
Gochujang is thick and can be eaten as is, but it’s usually mixed with other stuff to make it thinner and tastier.
If you lightly cook it with garlic and ginger, its flavor comes out more, but you don’t have to do that.
Also, Checkout related articles like: What Does Pho Taste Like? (Full Details) and Is Cinnamon Toast Crunch Vegan? (Everything to Know)
Conclusion-Is Gochujang Gluten Free?
A lot of Korean dishes need Gochujang. While most aren’t gluten-free, several brands offer gluten-free Gochujang pastes.
Remember that brands use different condiments in their Gochujang chili paste, so you should check them properly before purchasing.