If you love a burst of bold, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors that awaken your taste buds, this Gochujang Slaw Recipe is just what you need to brighten up any meal. Combining crunchy cabbage, sweet carrots, and crisp red bell peppers with the deep, umami-rich heat of gochujang, this slaw balances freshness and spice beautifully. It’s a vibrant and refreshing side that’s perfect for adding a Korean-inspired twist to your everyday dishes or impressing guests with something uniquely delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Gochujang Slaw Recipe plays a crucial role, from adding crunch and color to delivering that signature spicy-sweet dressing. These simple, wholesome elements come together to create a symphony of flavors that’s both fresh and exciting.
- 4 cups green cabbage, shredded: Provides a crunchy, refreshing base that’s both sturdy and crisp.
- 1 cup carrots, grated: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant orange color to the slaw.
- 1 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced: Brings a mild sweetness and beautiful red hue to the mix.
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped: Adds a bright, herbal note that cuts through the richness of the dressing.
- 3 tbsp gochujang: The star ingredient, delivering smoky, spicy depth with a slight hint of sweetness; adjust the amount for your preferred spice level.
- 2 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed): Introduces zesty acidity that lifts and balances the flavors perfectly.
- 1 tsp sugar (or honey): A touch of sweetness to mellow out the boldness of gochujang.
- 1 tbsp sesame oil: Imparts a subtle toasty richness that rounds out the dressing beautifully.
How to Make Gochujang Slaw Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Veggies
Start by shredding the green cabbage until it’s fine and crisp, then grate the carrots for a slightly sweet crunch that contrasts with the cabbage. Thinly slice the red bell pepper to add bursts of juicy sweetness and vibrant color that will make your slaw pop visually.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Dressing
In a large bowl, combine the gochujang, freshly squeezed lime juice, sugar (or honey), and sesame oil. Whisk these ingredients vigorously until the dressing is smooth and well emulsified, ensuring that the spicy, tangy flavors are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Toss the Slaw
Add the shredded cabbage, grated carrots, sliced bell pepper, and chopped cilantro directly into the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything thoroughly so each vegetable is coated in that vibrant gochujang dressing, promising flavor in every bite.
Step 4: Let the Flavors Meld
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the slaw for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows the cabbage to soften slightly and the flavors to deeply infuse, resulting in a harmonious blend that feels balanced and fresh with that characteristic spicy kick.
How to Serve Gochujang Slaw Recipe
Garnishes
For an added touch of elegance and flavor, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or chopped peanuts on top of the slaw just before serving. A few extra sprigs of fresh cilantro can also brighten its appearance and aroma, making your dish irresistible.
Side Dishes
This Gochujang Slaw Recipe pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, especially Korean BBQ-style chicken or pork. It’s also fantastic alongside seafood tacos for a spicy crunch or served with steamed rice and kimchi for a full Korean-inspired feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the slaw in lettuce cups for a fresh handheld option or spoon it onto toasted buns as a zesty topping for pulled pork sandwiches. You can even add it as a crunchy salad layer in a vibrant grain bowl to boost both texture and flavor dramatically.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover gochujang slaw keeps nicely in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen over time, but the cabbage may soften a bit, so it’s best enjoyed fresh for maximum crunch.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this slaw since raw cabbage and fresh vegetables tend to lose their crispness and texture once thawed, which can impact the overall enjoyment of the dish.
Reheating
Since this is a cold slaw, reheating is unnecessary. Instead, just give the slaw a quick toss to redistribute the dressing and freshen it up before serving, especially if it has been refrigerated for a while.
FAQs
Can I adjust the spice level in the Gochujang Slaw Recipe?
Absolutely! Gochujang itself varies from mildly spicy to quite hot, so start with less and add more to suit your heat tolerance. You can also balance spiciness by tweaking the sugar or honey amount.
Is there a substitute for gochujang?
If you can’t find gochujang, try mixing a combination of chili paste with a touch of miso or soy paste to mimic the spicy, savory, and slightly sweet profile, though the authentic flavor is unique to gochujang.
Can this slaw be made vegan?
Yes! This recipe is naturally vegan friendly. Just be sure to use vegan-friendly sugar or honey alternatives if you prefer to avoid animal products completely.
How long does it take to prepare the Gochujang Slaw Recipe?
The preparation is quick and easy, roughly 15 minutes to chop and toss together, plus a minimum 30-minute chill time for the best flavor meld.
Is this slaw suitable for meal prepping?
This slaw works well for meal prepping as long as it’s stored properly and consumed within a few days. Keep it chilled and enjoy it as a quick side or fresh topping for your meals throughout the week.
Final Thoughts
This Gochujang Slaw Recipe is one of those gems that brings so much excitement and brightness to the table with very little effort. Whether you’re cooking for friends or just treating yourself to something flavorful and fresh, it’s worth making again and again. Once you taste that perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and crisp veggies, you’ll have a new favorite go-to slaw for all kinds of occasions.
Print
Gochujang Slaw Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Gochujang Slaw is a vibrant and spicy Korean-inspired salad that combines crisp shredded cabbage, sweet carrots, and fresh bell pepper with a flavorful dressing of gochujang, lime juice, and sesame oil. This refreshing slaw is perfect as a side dish or a topping for sandwiches and tacos, offering a delicious balance of heat, tang, and sweetness.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 4 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup carrots, grated
- 1 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing
- 3 tbsp gochujang (adjust for spice level)
- 2 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tsp sugar (or honey)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Shred the green cabbage and grate the carrots. Thinly slice the red bell pepper to ensure all vegetables are cut uniformly for a consistent texture and flavor in the slaw.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together gochujang, freshly squeezed lime juice, sugar or honey, and sesame oil until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating the perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors.
- Toss the Slaw: Add the shredded cabbage, grated carrots, sliced bell pepper, and chopped cilantro to the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything gently but thoroughly until all the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the slaw for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to slightly soften, resulting in a deliciously refreshing dish ready to serve.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of gochujang to control the heat level to your preference.
- For a vegan version, use honey alternatives or stick to sugar.
- This slaw can be made a few hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator to deepen the flavors.
- Serve as a side to grilled meats, tacos, or as a topping for sandwiches.
- If gochujang is unavailable, a mix of chili paste with a touch of miso can substitute.
