Korean Gochujang Marinade

Korean gochujang marinade has become a favorite for umami-driven summer grilling. This fermented chili paste—aged from red chili powder, glutinous rice, meju, and salt—delivers a spicy, earthy, subtly sweet, and deeply savory flavor matrix. A standard recipe uses just 3 tablespoons of gochujang with soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger, requiring only about 5 minutes to prepare. On the grill, natural sugars caramelize rapidly, producing a lacquered, charred crust ideal for beef short ribs, chicken thighs, and firm tofu.