What Is Gochujang and Why Is Rachael Obsessed With It?

If you make a lot of Rachael's recipes, chances are, you already know what Gochujang is—she's been cooking with it for years! But if you don't, the editor-in-chief and content director of Rachael's magazine, Rachael Ray in Season, Lauren Iannotti, thinks you'll be seeing it around a whole lot more in 2022 because it's been flying off shelves. 

In fact, along with non-alcoholic beers and growing your own food, Lauren is calling it a 2022 food trend. 

What is Gochujang?

"It's a Korean chili paste," Lauren explains.

"Basically, it's sweet and spicy Korean sauce," Rach adds. "It is one of our go-to ingredients. It is really one of our favorite things. We make soups, stir-frys, noodle dishes. We use this once a week, at least, and I'm not kidding." (Get a bunch of Rach's Gochujang recipes below—she even uses it in scrambled eggs!) 

Where can I buy Gochujang? 

"It's in the section of the grocery store where you would find miso," Lauren says. (Look in either the international aisle or Asian section.)

But you can also order it online. Rach says she experiments with a bunch of different brands, but these are just a couple of her go-tos.

bibigo Gochujang Sauce

bibigo Gochujang Sauce

Amazon

$4

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Mother in Laws Garlic Gochujang Fermented Chile Sauce

Mother in Laws Garlic Gochujang Fermented Chile Sauce

Thrive Market

$7

Buy Now

"It's a great tool to have in your arsenal for weeknight cooking," Lauren continues. "When you're looking for a new flavor [or] something different, it's so easy to use. You can thin it out and use it as a condiment or cook with it as a base."

"You can buy it mild or extra spicy," Rach says, "but it's a balance of sweet and heat and great color."

Rach wasn't kidding when she said she cooks with Gochujang a LOT. In fact, here's proof—try some of her recipes yourself! 

Rach's Korean Gochujang Noodles With Pork + Veggies

Rachael Ray Show

Gochujang Skillet Chicken & Korean Rice

Rachael Ray Show

Bibimbap with Beef

Rachael Ray Show

Sheet Pan Supper: Korean-Style Chicken and Vegetables

Rachael Ray Show

Korean Skillet Chili

Rachael Ray Show

Rach's Skillet Meatloaf With Rainbow Chard Salad

Rachael Ray Show

Rachael's Korean Spaghetti and Meatballs

Rachael Ray Show

Rachael's Chicken and Kimchi Stir-Fry with Bacon and Egg Fried Rice

Rachael Ray Show

Rachael’s Korean Fried Chicken Sandwiches with Kimchi Slaw

Rachael Ray Show

Rachael's Japanese Hot and Sticky Chicken Wings

Rachael Ray Show

Rachael's Cold 'n' Spicy Crab Ramen

Rachael Ray Show