Introduction
Hey guys. Welcome back to YangYummm. For those of you that are new, I’m glad you’re stopping by today. I have for you all an amazing and simple recipe that you can add to your repertoire. Making your own sauce is a great way to add flavor to any dish. This Gochujang Aioli is perfect for dipping fries, chicken nuggets, or anything else you can think of! Best of all, it only takes 5 minutes to make.
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What is Korean Gochujang? Where can you find it?
Gochujang is a Korean fermented chili paste that is used as a key ingredient in many Korean dishes. It is made from gochugaru (Korean red chili powder), glutinous rice, meju powder (fermented soybean powder), and salt. Gochujang has a strong, pungent flavor that is both sweet and spicy.
You can find gochujang at most Korean markets, like H-Mart or Hanyang, or online. You could even find them in popular well-known grocery stores like Walmart or Whole Foods. Personally, I use the CJ brand.
The ingredients you’ll need for the sauce
For this quick and easy gochujang aioli, you will need just 3 ingredients. Gochujang, mayonnaise, and garlic. An optional addition to this would be lemon or lime juice. This will give the sauce a nice elevated and balanced taste by adding an acidic element.
Note: I will admit that this isn’t a “true” or “authentic” aioli, as some would describe it. I’ve learned that a traditional aioli consists of garlic and olive oil. Regardless, it’s really all about perspective and personal preference. You may choose to call it an “aioli” or simply a “mayo”. But either way, it’s still an amazing and delicious sauce! I made a conscious decision to make this as simple and as easy as possible (with few ingredients) for every home cook to make, like myself.
What does Gochujang Aioli taste like?
Gochujang Aioli tastes like a nice, spicy and creamy mixture packed with bold, slightly salty/sweet umami flavor. It needs no additives, really. But if you wish, you can add some lemon or lime juice to elevate the flavor.
How to make the Gochujang Aioli (Step-By-Step):
Instructions:
1. In a small mixing bowl, combine gochujang paste, good quality mayonnaise, and crushed/minced garlic. (Optional: Add some lemon/lime juice to elevate flavor).
2. Mix well until combined.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
4. Serve with your favorite dipping food. Enjoy!
Ideas for dishes to serve with the aioli
Some great ideas for dishes to serve with gochujang aioli are Korean fried chicken, kimchi pancakes, or even just simple steamed rice. You can add it to sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, or Korean BBQ lettuce wraps as a nice added touch of spicy and creamy umami flavor. The aioli just complements the dishes so well! I would even add this to some seafood dishes, like salmon or shrimp/langoustines. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
The sauce is also great for dipping fries, chicken nuggets, or any other finger foods you can think of! The possibilities are really endless. Get creative and enjoy!
Variations on the recipe
One variation of gochujang aioli is to add in some sesame oil. This will give the sauce a nutty and savory flavor that is delicious with any Korean dish. I love the taste of sesame oil. I add it into almost every Korean dish I cook.
Another variation is to swap out the mayonnaise for sour cream or Greek yogurt. This will create a slightly tangy and lighter sauce that is still packed with flavor.
Finally, you could also add in some honey to sweeten the sauce and balance out the spice from the gochujang. This is a great option if you want to use the sauce as a dipping sauce for chicken or other fried foods (Check out one of my most popular recipes where I used this Honey-Gochujang combo on Salmon!). This is usually my go-to variation when I cook for people who can’t tolerate spicy food.
How do I store this gochujang aioli?
The gochujang aioli can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week (ideally best to use within 4-5 days). Just give it a good mix before using, as the sauce may separate slightly while sitting in the fridge.
So there you have it. Gochujang Aioli is a simple, easy and delicious sauce that you can make in just minutes with few ingredients. Remember, a good quality mayonnaise goes a long way. It’s perfect for dipping your favorite Korean dishes or french fries, chicken nuggets, and other finger food favorites! Get creative with it. I hope you enjoyed this quick and easy gochujang aioli recipe. Let me know in the comments below how you liked it and what your favorite dipping sauces are! Till next time. Bye!
Gochujang – The STAR ingredient for this aioli (Korean pepper paste)
Kewpie Mayonnaise – A good quality mayonnaise (I love using Kewpie brand, but feel free to substitute with whichever brand you like!)
Garlic – Aromatic that is essential to make an aioli
Lemon Juice (OPTIONAL) – for added acidic element to elevate the flavor
Check out my other YangYummm recipe favorites:
Gochujang Aioli
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 small whisk or spoon
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- ½ cup kewpie mayonnaise (may substitute with other good quality mayonnaise)
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- Touch of lemon juice (OPTIONAL) may substitute with lime juice
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, add and mix together 1 tablespoon gochujang, ½ cup Kewpie mayonnaise, crushed/minced garlic, and a touch of lemon juice
- Mix and combine well to form gochujang aioli with a nice, thick yet fluid consistency
- Plate it up and enjoy as dipping sauce or extra flavoring!
