Out of Gochujang, one case
Non-spicy gochujang substitute
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Tomato paste + miso + sugar + chili powder
Per 1 tbsp gochujang
½ tbsp tomato paste + ½ tbsp miso + ½ tsp sugar + ¼ tsp chili powder
For non-spicy gochujang substitute, use tomato paste + miso + sugar + a pinch of chili powder (1:1:½:0.1 ratio). This provides the umami and sweetness without the heat.
- The tweak —
- Mix tomato paste with miso, sugar, and chili powder. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Best for —
- children's meals
One casethe full gochujang card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 tbsp gochujang |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tomato paste + miso + sugar + chili powderchildren's meals | ½ tbsp tomato paste + ½ tbsp miso + ½ tsp sugar + ¼ tsp chili powder |
| 2 | Miso + brown sugar + rice vinegar + sesame oilmild Korean dishes | ½ tbsp miso + ½ tbsp brown sugar + ½ tsp rice vinegar + ¼ tsp sesame oil |
| 3 | Soy sauce + brown sugar + rice vinegar + sesame oilquick substitutions | ½ tbsp soy sauce + ½ tbsp brown sugar + ½ tsp rice vinegar + ¼ tsp sesame oil |
| 4 | Miso + honey + rice vinegar + garlic powdermild Korean dishes | ½ tbsp miso + ½ tbsp honey + ½ tsp rice vinegar + ¼ tsp garlic powder |
| 5 | Miso + maple syrup + rice vinegar + sesame oilnatural cooking | ½ tbsp miso + ½ tbsp maple syrup + ½ tsp rice vinegar + ¼ tsp sesame oil |
Tomato paste + miso + sugar + chili powder
umami, sweet, mild heat
Good non-spicy alternative that mimics gochujang's sweetness and umami without the heat
- Best for
- children's meals, mild Korean dishes, when heat isn't desired, family-friendly cooking, sensitive palates
- Texture
- paste-like
- Prep
- Mix tomato paste with miso, sugar, and chili powder. Stir until smooth and well combined.
Tomato paste provides the base and slight tang. Miso adds umami depth. Sugar adds sweetness. Chili powder adds just a hint of heat.
Miso + brown sugar + rice vinegar + sesame oil
umami, sweet, tangy, nutty
Umami-rich substitute with Korean flavors but no heat
- Best for
- mild Korean dishes, when you want umami depth, Korean-inspired cooking, when heat is not desired
- Texture
- paste-like
- Prep
- Combine miso with brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
Miso provides umami depth. Brown sugar adds caramelized sweetness. Rice vinegar adds tanginess. Sesame oil adds nutty flavor.
Soy sauce + brown sugar + rice vinegar + sesame oil
umami, sweet, tangy, nutty
Simple substitute using common pantry ingredients
- Best for
- quick substitutions, when you don't have miso, simple Korean dishes, basic cooking
- Texture
- liquid-like
- Prep
- Mix soy sauce with brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir until well combined.
Soy sauce provides umami depth. Brown sugar adds sweetness. Rice vinegar adds tanginess. Sesame oil adds nutty flavor.
Miso + honey + rice vinegar + garlic powder
umami, sweet, tangy, garlicky
Sweet and umami-rich substitute with garlic notes
- Best for
- mild Korean dishes, when you want garlic flavor, sweet Korean dishes, when heat is not desired
- Texture
- paste-like
- Prep
- Combine miso with honey, rice vinegar, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
Miso provides umami depth. Honey adds natural sweetness. Rice vinegar adds tanginess. Garlic powder adds flavor depth.
Miso + maple syrup + rice vinegar + sesame oil
umami, sweet, tangy, nutty, maple
Natural sweetener substitute with complex flavors
- Best for
- natural cooking, when you want maple flavor, mild Korean dishes, when heat is not desired
- Texture
- paste-like
- Prep
- Mix miso with maple syrup, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir until smooth and well combined.
Miso provides umami depth. Maple syrup adds natural sweetness and complexity. Rice vinegar adds tanginess. Sesame oil adds nutty flavor.
The longer answer
About this case
Gochujang is known for its spicy heat, but sometimes you need the umami and sweetness without the spice.
How it behaves in this recipe
Non-spicy gochujang substitutes are good for children, sensitive palates, or when you want the umami and sweetness of gochujang without the heat. The key is to focus on umami depth and sweetness while avoiding any ingredients that add significant heat.
Tips for substituting gochujang
15 tips- For non-spicy gochujang, focus on umami and sweetness rather than heat
- Use miso paste as the base for umami depth - it's essential for gochujang-like flavor
- Add sweetness with sugar, honey, or maple syrup to replicate gochujang's natural sweetness
- Include rice vinegar for tanginess that balances the sweetness
- Sesame oil adds nutty flavor that's common in Korean cooking
- For children's meals, use the mildest version with just a pinch of chili powder
- Taste as you go and adjust the balance of sweetness and umami to your preference
- The substitute should be thick enough to stick to food but thin enough to mix easily
- For best results, let your substitute mixture sit for 10-15 minutes before using
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
- The flavor will develop and improve over the first few hours after mixing
- For authentic Korean flavor, include sesame oil in your substitute mixture
- The substitute should work well with the other ingredients in your dish
- For large batches, make extra substitute and store it in the refrigerator
- The substitute should be able to withstand the cooking process without breaking down
Notes on gochujang
- For a quick non-spicy gochujang, mix equal parts miso and brown sugar with a splash of rice vinegar
- For a more complex flavor, add a small amount of sesame oil to your substitute mixture
- For a natural version, use maple syrup instead of sugar for sweetness
- For a garlicky version, add garlic powder to your substitute mixture
- For a nutty version, increase the amount of sesame oil in your substitute
Questions
10 questionsWhat's the best non-spicy gochujang substitute?
For non-spicy gochujang, use tomato paste + miso + sugar + a pinch of chili powder (1:1:0.5:0.1 ratio). This provides the umami and sweetness without the heat.
Can I make gochujang substitute without heat?
Yes, use miso + brown sugar + rice vinegar + sesame oil. This provides umami and sweetness without any heat.
What can I use instead of gochujang for children?
Use tomato paste + miso + sugar + a tiny pinch of chili powder. This provides gochujang-like flavor without the heat that might be too spicy for children.
How do I make gochujang substitute mild?
Use miso + brown sugar + rice vinegar + sesame oil. This creates a mild substitute that focuses on umami and sweetness rather than heat.
Can I use miso paste as gochujang substitute?
Miso paste alone won't work because it lacks the sweetness of gochujang. Mix it with brown sugar and rice vinegar for better results.
What's the difference between spicy and non-spicy gochujang?
Non-spicy gochujang focuses on umami and sweetness without the heat. It's good for children, sensitive palates, or when you want gochujang flavor without spice.
Can I make gochujang substitute with tomato paste?
Yes, tomato paste + miso + sugar + a pinch of chili powder works well as a non-spicy gochujang substitute.
How do I store non-spicy gochujang substitute?
Store your non-spicy gochujang substitute in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It will thicken slightly when cold, which is normal.
Can I use honey instead of sugar for gochujang substitute?
Yes, honey works well as a natural sweetener in gochujang substitute. It adds natural sweetness and complexity to the flavor.
What's the best non-spicy gochujang for Korean dishes?
For Korean dishes, use miso + brown sugar + rice vinegar + sesame oil. This provides the umami and sweetness that's essential for Korean cooking without the heat.