A smooth, garlicky chilli sauce of fermented red jalapeño-type chillies with sugar, salt, garlic and vinegar. Moderately hot, distinctly sweet and thick enough to squeeze rather than pour.
What it does in a recipe: Medium heat with garlic, sugar and vinegar built in — it seasons and sweetens as much as it burns. Pick the swap that covers that job — the ratios below are written so you can act on them without doing any arithmetic.
Allergen checkGochujang is soy-based and most brands contain wheat or barley malt, so it is neither soy-free nor gluten-free. Check the tub if either matters.
Cooking around an allergy? Diet tags here describe the ingredient itself, not any particular brand. Processed products change formulation without notice and shared production lines are common, so read the label on everything you use. A severe allergy is a medical matter — confirm with the manufacturer or your clinician rather than relying on a substitution chart.