This spicy Korean-inspired condiment, Gochujang mayo, takes regular ole mayo up about a thousand notches. All it takes is whisking together creamy mayo, spicy gochujang paste, garlic(of course), some rice wine vinegar and a touch of sesame oil. Level up your mayo! 5-minute gochujang mayonnaise magic. Creamy, spicy, bright. Sandwiches, fries, tacos? Boom.
Why You’ll Love This Gochujang Mayo Recipe
Mayo, the workhorse of condiments, deserves better than languishing in the fridge door’s shadow. And frankly, your taste buds deserve more than the tyranny of Dijon. Enter gochujang mayo. This is the transformative condiment you never knew you needed. Sandwiches? Gochujang mayonnaise elevates them to flavor nirvana. Fries? They’ll beg for another dunk. Burgers? Forget ketchup, this is the new sheriff in town. Tacos, wraps, even veggie sticks – nothing is safe from its smoky embrace.
Gochujang Mayo Ingredients
½ cup mayonnaise (Japanese mayo is more creamy but good old Hellmann’s is great too)
2 tablespoons gochujang paste (aka Korean chili paste)
1 tablespoon lime juice or rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Sea Salt, to taste
Black Pepper, freshly ground, to taste
How To Make Gochujang Mayo
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, gochujang, lime juice or rice vinegar, and sesame oil until smooth and thoroughly blended.
2. Gently stir to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate covered for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
3. Use this as a spicy dipping sauce for french fries, chicken, burgers or vegetables. It will keep fresh for up to 1 week stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Gochujang Mayo Substitutions
Mayonnaise – If you want a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt, sour cream, or a combination of both. You can also use vegan mayonnaise if you want a plant-based alternative. Another option is kewpie mayo.
Gochujang Paste (aka Korean Chili Paste) – You can use a mixture of red pepper paste with a touch of honey or maple syrup for sweetness if you don’t have gochujang sauce on hand. However, you can also use sriracha or another chili paste instead. Keep in mind to adjust the quantity based on your desired level of spiciness.
Rice Vinegar – You can substitute with apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or lemon juice.
Sesame Oil – Toasted sesame oil is a key flavor to the recipe but in case you don’t have it, you can just use regular sesame oil or even a small amount of grapeseed or vegetable oil.
Soy Sauce – Substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos f you want a gluten-free option. Adjust the quantity based on your desired saltiness.
Gochujang Mayo Variations
Gochujang mayonnaise is a very versatile and perfect condiment, and you can create various delicious variations by using different ingredients that would suit your taste preference. Here are a few Gochujang mayo variations to try and enhance its depth of flavor:
Sesame-Ginger Gochujang Mayo: Add 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger and 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds to the Gochujang mayo. This variation brings a zesty kick and aromatic sesame flavor to the mix.
Honey Gochujang Mayo: Mix in 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup for a sweet and spicy twist. Adjust the sweetness to your liking.
Citrus Gochujang Mayo: Squeeze in fresh lime juice or lemon juice to add a bright, citrusy twist to the Gochujang mayo.
Spicy Chipotle Gochujang Mayo: Add a touch of chili powder, chipotle powder, adobo sauce or any spicy sauce for a little heat, giving it a smoky and spicy flavor. Be mindful of the heat level, and adjust accordingly.
Wasabi Gochujang Mayo – Add a small amount of wasabi paste for a spicy kick with a hint of Japanese influence. Adjust the quantity based on your tolerance to spicy flavors.
Equipment
Small Bowl
Whisk
Serving Bowl
How to Store Gochujang Mayo
Storing Gochujang Mayo
Transfer the gochujang mayonnaise to an airtight container and cover the surface directly with a plastic wrap before tightly sealing the container.
Refrigerate and consume within a week.
TIP!
Before serving, give the mayo a gentle stir to ensure an even consistency since the texture of the mayo has a tendency to change or even separate during storage period.
Also make sure that the gochujang mayo does not show any signs of spoilage, such as an off smell, unusual color changes, or mold. If it does, it’s time to discard the mayo.
Top 3 Tips To Success
Balanced Flavors – Achieve balance of flavors by paying attention to the quantities of each ingredient. Gochujang brings heat, sweetness, and umami flavor, while mayo provides creaminess. Keep on adjusting to achieve the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, tangy, and savory. You can also add a couple of spices to add more flavor as well.
Maintain Texture Consistency – Make sure that your gochujang mayo. To achieve this, whisk or blend the ingredients thoroughly, ensuring there are no lumps or uneven textures.
Allow Flavors to Meld: After mixing the ingredients, let the gochujang mayo sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This is to ensure that much flavor melds and develops, enhancing the overall taste of the mayo.
What To Pair With Gochujang Mayo
- Spicy Gochujang Mayo adds a kick to classic sandwiches like grilled cheese, BLTs, veggie-packed, ham and cheese.
- For a vegetarian option, spread it on a veggie wrap with hummus, roasted vegetables, and sprouts.
- Gochujang mayo is a delicious alternative to ketchup or ranch dressing for dipping fries, sweet potato fries, or potato chips.
- Use as burger sauce or spread on a veggie or fish taco.
- Dip your favorite finger foods: chicken nuggets, spring rolls, french fries, chicken wings, potato skins, you name it – a perfect dipping sauce!
Gochujang Mayo FAQs
How to store gochujang mayo?
- Store gochujang mayo in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for up to a week, sometimes longer depending on the freshness of your ingredients.
- Avoid freezing gochujang mayo, as the texture may separate upon thawing.
What is Gochujang sauce made of?
- Made of: Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), glutinous rice flour, fermented soybeans, soybean paste, malt, garlic, onion, and salt.
- Heat level: Varies depending on the brand and type of gochugaru used. Can range from mild to very spicy.
What does gochujang taste like?
- Spicy, sweet, savory, and umami-rich, with a fermented depth.
What does Gochujang go with?
- Versatile! Great with meats (grilled, fried, roasted), seafood, vegetables, rice, noodles, dumplings, soups, etc.
- Popular uses: Marinades, sauces, dips, stews, stir-fries, bibimbap, kimbap, and more.
How unhealthy is gochujang?
- Moderate consumption: Gochujang can be part of a healthy diet, as it’s low in fat and calories and contains some beneficial nutrients like antioxidants. However, it’s high in sodium, so be mindful of portion sizes.
Is gochujang really spicy?
- Yes, gochujang can be quite spicy. Heat level varies depending on the brand and type of gochugaru used. Start with a small amount and taste as you go.
Is gochujang hotter than sriracha?
- Sriracha generally has a less complex flavor profile and can be spicier than some milder gochujang, but more spicy than the hottest varieties.
Is gochujang similar to sriracha?
- Both are Korean condiments made with chili peppers, but with distinct flavors and uses. Gochujang is thicker and more complex, while sriracha is thinner and usually used as a hot sauce.
Do I need to refrigerate gochujang?
- No need to refrigerate unopened gochujang. Once opened, it’s best stored in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life.
Should I use kewpie mayonnaise instead of regular mayo?
- Kewpie mayonnaise is a Japanese brand of mayo. It can be substituted for regular mayo, but it’s not necessary.
recipe:
PrintSpicy Gochujang Mayo Recipe (So easy!)
This spicy Korean-inspired condiment, Gochujang mayo, takes regular ole mayo up about a thousand notches. All it takes is whisking together creamy mayo, spicy gochujang paste, garlic(of course), some rice wine vinegar and a touch of sesame oil. Level up your mayo! 5-minute gochujang mayonnaise magic. Creamy, spicy, bright. Sandwiches, fries, tacos? Boom.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
½ cup mayonnaise (Japanese mayo is more creamy but good old Hellmann’s is great too)
2 tablespoons gochujang paste
1 tablespoon lime juice or rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Sea Salt, to taste
Black Pepper, freshly ground, to taste
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, gochujang, lime juice or rice vinegar, and sesame oil until smooth and thoroughly blended.
2. Gently stir to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate covered for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
3. Use this as a spicy dipping sauce for french fries, chicken, burgers or vegetables. It will keep fresh for up to 1 week stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this Spicy Gochujang Mayo recipe is a game-changer in the world of condiments. Combining the robust flavors of gochujang paste and rice wine vinegar with the creaminess of mayo, it’s a match made in flavor heaven. Whether you’re slathering it on sandwiches, dunking sweet potato fries, or spicing up your french fries, this spicy Korean mayo is a versatile and irresistible dipping sauce. The unique blend of spicy Korean zest with the tangy kick of rice wine vinegar and the nutty undertones of sesame oil makes this spicy gochujang mayo an absolute must-try.
Does the mayo amount stay the same to 1/2 cup when increasing the amount of ingredients, while all the other ingredients amount changes?
Hi Kathy, I would adjust all ingredients accordinly. The great thing about this simple recipe is that you can easily adjust as you taste. So if you think it’s too much mayo and want a more prounounced Gochujang flavor, than add more gochujang.
Thank you!