Sweet, savory, spicy, and deliciously thick, this dipping sauce features just six simple ingredients, and mixes up in mere minutes. This is one sauce you should definitely add to your repertoire.
A combination of Korean red chilies, sesame oil, and duck sauce, this delightful little mix is perfect for adding a bit of kick to steaks, chops, or even grilled tofu. It can also double as a rub or marinade, and is great for simply dipping chips or pretzels in.
Below, we’ll cover everything you need to mix this sauce, along with a few suggestions for how to use it.
Ingredient Checklist and Notes
- Gochugaru. The core of the recipe. This brings color, chili flavor, and spice. Honestly, the recipe really doesn’t work without Korean red chili flakes.
- Teriyaki Sauce. What is this stuff, anyway? At its simplest, teriyaki is soy sauce with brown sugar, sake or mirin, and ginger. Teriyakis used as a dip or as a glaze tend to be thicker, while those teriyakis used as an ingredient, such as in marinades, tend to be thinner.
- Soy Sauce. Personally, I’m using plain Light/Standard Soy Sauce, though Dark Soy Sauce should do fine if that’s all you have on hand – although that will result in a slightly stronger ‘soy sauce’ flavor. Yes, low sodium soy sauce works in today’s recipe as well.
- Sesame Oil. A key ingredient for getting those ‘earthy’ and ‘nutty’ flavors that really brings out the umami notes in the other ingredients.
- Duck Sauce. This is a key ingredient, as it thickens and sweetens the sauce, along with bringing in fruity ‘apricot flavor.’
- Garlic Powder. Garlicy goodness, without the ‘pungency’ and ‘bite’ of fresh – which would easily overpower this recipe.
How To Use Gochugaru Dipping Sauce
- On Steaks. This is great rubbed on grilled steak, either before grilling to really seal in the flavors, or afterwards as a sauce. As an example, this dip would pair perfectly with my Ultimate Steak Board, where it would pair deliciously not only with the steaks themselves, but also the flatbreads and fries.
- On Chops. The flavors in this sauce perfectly complement pork, making this ideal for chops.
- As a Rub for Roasts. Using this dip as a rub for roasts will give the meat a sweet and spicy flare, while the umami notes will play beautifully with the meat and fatty goodness of the roast itself, while forming a crisp glaze along the exterior. Simply delicious.
- On Ribs. This dip would also double deliciously as a wet rub for ribs. The sweet, spicy, and savory combo would seep into the ribs, melding perfectly with cooked-to-perfection pork.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 tbs duck sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp teriyaki
- 2 tsp gochugaru
- 2 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients until combined. Store in an airtight jar and refrigerate to preserve freshness.
- Serve as a dipping sauce or rub. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
Keywords: sauce, dipping sauce, dip, rub, gochugaru, sweet and spicy
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Beth says
This sounds so good! I love the idea of using it on ribs. I have to try that!
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Brianne says
I love these zingy flavors. I feel like this might be delicious on fish, too!
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megane says
I would love to make this but where do i get the Duck Sauce? Do you have a recipe for it?
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Living the Gourmet says
Dear Megane, Thank you for stopping by! You can find duck sauce at any major retailer in the international section 😀 hope this helps! Enjoy!
Lauren Michael Harris says
This dipping sauce sounds like the perfect combination of sweet and spicy! I can imagine quite a few ways to use it - especially on roasted meats - yum!
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Marysa says
I have heard of this sauce before, but not as a dipping sauce. Sounds so flavorful and delicious!
veenaazmanov says
Sweet and spicy and super combination of sauces. Love the options you have mentioned to enjoying this yummy sauce. A bottle in my kitchen is a must. Thanks
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Interior Design Trends says
This looks so so good! I can't wait to make gochugaru dipping sauce, I am super excited about it.
DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, We love a number of Korean dipping, seasoning or rub sauces but we've never tried making them ourselves. Probably healthier if we did though... Wishing you and yours a Happy and Healthy New Year! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Sharon says
Once I whipped up a batch of this gochugaru dipping sauce, I knew that it was going to become a constant staple in my fridge.
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An Indian Traveler says
I love trying different kinds of sauces. I would love to make the Gochugaru Dipping Sauce. Nicely explained and seemed to be easy to make!
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Dennis says
I made your sauce to serve with shrimp and everyone preferred it to cocktail sauce! There was so much flavor.
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Jasmine Martin says
I love trying new sauces and this is a must try for me. It looks and sounds like it'd be super tasty.
Erin says
I used this on some ribs and wow - so, so good! I'll definitely make this again. Thanks!
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Yeah Lifestyle says
I do love my steaks but love to try different sauces when I am serving them and would love to try this Gochugaru Dipping Sauce
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Jamie says
Wow! This an awesome sauce to spice up our treats this Holiday season! Totally looks so delicious and the reddish color makes it so enticing and tempting!
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Amanda says
This sauce sounds great. I love how many options you have to serve it. Love a recipe that I can get a lot of uses.
Natalia says
Thanks for the recipe! It's delicious. I didn’t have sesame oil, so I just used olive oil. It came out absolutely delicious! How long does this last in the fridge? Thanks!
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Living the Gourmet says
Dear Natalia,
This sauce would last up to one week in the fridge.
Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful New Year.
Tristin says
We are going to be grilling steaks this weekend and I am so excited to try this sauce on them!
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