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.
Gochugaru Dipping Sauce
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
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Beth says
This sounds so good! I love the idea of using it on ribs. I have to try that!
Brianne says
I love these zingy flavors. I feel like this might be delicious on fish, too!
megane says
I would love to make this but where do i get the Duck Sauce? Do you have a recipe for it?
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!
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
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.
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!
Dennis says
I made your sauce to serve with shrimp and everyone preferred it to cocktail sauce! There was so much flavor.
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!
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
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!
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!
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!