{"id":3389,"date":"2021-06-29T09:03:09","date_gmt":"2021-06-29T09:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foodchamps.org\/?p=3389"},"modified":"2023-12-18T16:37:21","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T16:37:21","slug":"gochugaru-substitute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foodchamps.org\/gochugaru-substitute\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Substitute For Gochugaru (Korean Chili Powder)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019ve ever tried Korean cuisine, you might have wondered what makes some of the food so deliciously spicy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, I\u2019m here to tell you that\u2019s no regular chili powder or paprika that you\u2019re tasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Korean food has a number of specialty ingredients synonymous with their delicacy, one of which is gochugaru.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Here, I will talk a little more about this spice and give you an idea of how you can use chipotle powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and more as a substitute for gochugaru in your Korean home cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Gochugaru?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gochu means chili pepper, and Garu means powder, so the term Gochugaru translates to chili pepper powder. Many famous Korean cuisines<\/a> use it as an ingredient, and it\u2019s also a household pantry staple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best quality gochugaru is made from seedless sun-dried hot peppers.

While machine-dried peppers are less expensive, the emphasis is on the traditional method of using sun-dried hot peppers for authentic color and heat level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hot peppers are deseeded, dried, and ground to a coarse texture, which is fine compared to crushed red chili flakes<\/a> but not completely powdered.

Due to the use of seedless peppers, the final result turns out to be a vibrant red-colored spice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heat and spice level of gochugaru ranges from mild to hot, so you\u2019ll find a few varieties on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the Scoville Scale<\/a>, gochugaru falls between 1500 SHU (Scoville heat units) and 10,000 SHU. The hottest within the variety is known as maewoon gochugaru whereas deolmaewoon gochugaru is the least spicy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of flavor, expect a slightly sweet, smoked, and spicy taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to familiarize yourself with different versions of gochugaru, as it is liberally used in Korean dishes, and you might not be used to such spice levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you\u2019re comfortable with the flavoring of East or West Indian food, it shouldn\u2019t be a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gochugaru graces some of the most renowned Korean recipes, such as Kimchi<\/a>, cucumber salad, and spicy soups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TOP SUBSTITUTE<\/div><\/div>
\"Simply<\/figure><\/div><\/div>
Simply Organic Chipotle Powder<\/a><\/div>
Chipotle Powder Is Our Top Gochugaru Replacement<\/div><\/div>
Get It Here<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

My Top 5 Best Gochugaru Substitutes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While it may not be easy to find gochugaru in your local grocery stores, it shouldn\u2019t stop you from trying delicious Korean food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are my top five picks you can use in place of gochugaru:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Chipotle Powder<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Spicy food, to an extent, relies on the amount of chili powder used for that extra kick of flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While gochugaru fits the bill with high spice levels, chipotle powder is an equal contender and the closest Korean chili powder substitute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chipotle powder is not a type of pepper itself. It is made from jalapeno peppers, dried and smoked, giving it a smoky flavor similar to gochugaru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two spices almost share the same level of heat. Gochugaru is around 1500 to 10,000 SHU, whereas chipotle powder falls between 3000 and 30,000 SHU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A point to remember is that chipotle powder may have a little extra smoky flavor compared to gochugaru, and this might affect the overall taste of your recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you can balance the flavors by adding crushed red pepper to the chipotle powder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doing this will reduce the smoky flavor and increase the spice level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of color, the chipotle powder is a fiery red but a bit darker than gochugaru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best thing about Chipotle powder is that it\u2019s readily available in grocery stores and supermarkets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use chipotle powder in equal parts to gochugaru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can’t find chipotle powder? See Chipotle Powder Substitute<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Cayenne Pepper<\/h3>\n\n\n
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A good substitute does not only have a similar flavor but also resembles the texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cayenne pepper is the ideal choice if you\u2019re looking for a substitute for gochugaru with a blend of similar spice and texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for color, cayenne pepper is a deep red with a brownish-orange hue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cayenne pepper is also widely used in many Korean recipes, so if you add it to your pantry, you can use it to create other Korean dishes, such as Kimchi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cayenne shares the same texture as gochugaru but is spicier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can get cayenne in flakes or powder form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, though, cayenne flakes are extra spicy because they come with crushed pepper seeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Scoville Scale rating for cayenne pepper powder is 30,000 to 50,000 SHU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To control the spiciness of cayenne, soak it in lukewarm water for some time, and then add it to your recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Substitute 3\/4th teaspoon of cayenne pepper with one teaspoon of gochugaru. Taste and add more if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Paprika<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Many Korean dishes, such as Kimchi, flaunt a brilliant red color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want your recipes to have the same bright red hue, paprika is your substitute for gochugaru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paprika is the fourth most commonly used spice worldwide, and it is readily available in grocery stores. You might already have it in your pantry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike gochugaru, there are different kinds of paprika: sweet, hot, and smoked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find the perfect fit as a substitute for gochugaru, it is essential to understand the difference between all three kinds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grocery stores usually stock sweet or basic paprika, which has a mild flavor and falls within the 250 to 1000 SHU range on the Scoville Scale within 250 to 1000 SHU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hotter version is known as Hungarian paprika, popular with Hungarian cuisine like Goulash, and is known to be of the highest quality among all three types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The last one is smoked paprika, which adds a sweet and smoky flavor to your dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paprika is available in powder form, and you can use either of the three to substitute gochugaru in equal quantities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can’t find Paprika? See Paprika Substitutes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Chile de \u00c1rbol<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Chile de \u00c1rbol, a fiery spice with a distinct flavor profile, is a noteworthy substitute for gochugaru in Korean cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This chili boasts a heat level of 15,000 to 30,000 on the Scoville Heat Unit scale, making it considerably hotter than gochugaru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chile de \u00c1rbol, recognized for its bright red color, imparts a sharp, clean heat with a hint of nuttiness, distinguishing it from gochugaru’s slightly smoky and sweet undertones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When substituting in recipes, moderation is key due to its intense heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gradually adding Chile de \u00c1rbol can help balance flavor and spice, aligning closely with gochugaru’s role in Korean dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This chili is widely accessible in many grocery stores and is often found dried or powdered, making it a convenient alternative for those unable to source gochugaru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Gochujang<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Gochujang is another popular Korean spice and an ideal substitute for gochugaru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These spices are prepared from gochu pepper, so they have almost the same flavor. However, the texture sets both spices apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gochujang comes as a thick paste and contains other components, such as salt, soybeans, and sticky rice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the Scoville Scale, gochujang scores less than 1000 SHU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using gochujang instead of gochugaru in your recipe will give it a saltier flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It works well as a seasoning for stews, sauces, and kimchi. Just keep a light hand on the salt before adding gochujang to your food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, gochujang has a paste form. It might give your food a wet and sticky texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spiciness of gochujang will depend on the brand you buy it from. To be on the safe side, start by using a small amount in your recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gochujang\u2019s pungent and spicy flavor serves as a good marination for meats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who prefer salty flavors over sweet ones, gochujang is the best substitute. Store it in the refrigerator for use in other Korean recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use \u00bd teaspoon of gochujang for every teaspoon of gochugaru. Taste and add more if required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Suitable Substitutes For Gochugaru<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for more alternatives, here\u2019s a quick list of other suitable substitutes for gochugaru:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Jalapeno peppers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Red pepper flakes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Aleppo pepper<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There are various red-colored spices out there, but only a few can match the distinctive flavor of gochugaru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you were holding yourself back from trying out Korean cuisine due to the unavailability of Korean spices, you now have a comprehensive list of replacements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can use either or all as a gochugaru substitute to figure out the best flavor that suits your taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    What does gochugaru taste like?<\/strong>

    Gochugaru has a distinctive, slightly smoky taste with a sweet yet spicy flavor.<\/p> <\/div>

    Is gochugaru the same as chili powder?<\/strong>

    No, gochugaru is different from regular chili powder as it has a unique flavor and texture specific to Korean cuisine.<\/p> <\/div>

    Can I use paprika instead of Korean chili powder?<\/strong>

    Yes, paprika can be used as a substitute for gochugaru, but it will impart a different flavor and color to the dish.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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