Gochugaru is a Korean chili powder that either comes as ground chili flakes or as a finely ground chili powder. It has a vibrant red color and a complex flavor profile that blends heat, sweetness, and a subtle smokiness. Gochugaru is used in dishes like kimchi, stews, marinades, and dipping sauces. If you’re out of gochugaru, several substitutes can replicate its flavor, heat, and texture.
What Is Gochugaru?
Gochugaru is a chili powder or flake made from dried Korean red chili peppers. Its heat level ranges from mildly hot to hot, depending on the variety of peppers used. However, most store-bought gochugaru tends to fall in the mild to medium range.
The peppers are traditionally sun-dried, which gives the spice a slightly smoky undertone. Gochugaru’s unique flavor—spicy with hints of sweetness and smokiness—makes it essential for authentic Korean dishes. Its coarse texture also provides a satisfying visual and textural element, especially in kimchi.
7 Substitutes for Gochugaru
1. Aleppo Pepper
Aleppo pepper is one of the closest substitutes for gochugaru flakes, offering a similar medium heat level and fruity, slightly smoky flavor. Its vibrant red color and coarse texture make it an excellent choice for replicating gochugaru in both appearance and taste.
Recipes: Use Aleppo pepper in kimchi, marinades, or soups where texture and balanced heat are important.
2. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Crushed red pepper flakes are a widely available substitute with a coarse texture similar to gochugaru. They are typically spicier and lack the sweetness and smokiness of gochugaru. To better match gochugaru’s flavor, combine crushed red pepper flakes with a pinch of sweet paprika.
Recipes: Great for stews, stir-fries, and as a garnish in sauces or soups.
3. Smoked Paprika with Cayenne
A blend of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper can replicate gochugaru’s smokiness, color, and heat. Smoked paprika provides the sweet and smoky notes, while cayenne delivers the necessary spice. Adjust the ratio based on your desired heat level, starting with more paprika and a smaller amount of cayenne.
Recipes: Ideal for marinades, soups, or dishes like tteokbokki.
4. Guajillo Chili Powder
Guajillo chili powder is made from dried guajillo peppers and is a mild and fruity substitute for gochugaru. It lacks the coarse texture of flakes however its sweet and tangy flavor complements recipes requiring subtle heat and complexity. Guajillo powder is especially useful in sauces and stews.
Recipes: Use in marinades, broths, or stews.
5. Pasilla Chili Powder
Pasilla chili powder offers a mild, earthy flavor with smoky undertones. It has a less sweet and vibrant in color compared to gochugaru but works well in recipes emphasizing smokiness and depth rather than spice.
Recipes: Suitable for soups, broths, and meat-based dishes.
6. Chipotle Chili Powder
Chipotle chili powder is made from smoked and dried jalapeños and is another flavorful substitute. It has a smoky, earthy taste with moderate heat. Although its color is darker and less vibrant than gochugaru, it’s a good alternative in recipes that benefit from its bold smokiness.
Recipes: Use in barbecue sauces, hearty stews, or marinades.
7. Kashmiri Red Chili Powder
Kashmiri red chili powder is an excellent substitute for gochugaru due to its vibrant red color and mild to moderate heat. It has a slightly fruity and earthy flavor, similar to gochugaru, but lacks its smokiness. Kashmiri chili powder is widely used in Indian cuisine and can be used in recipes that emphasize color and balanced spice levels.
Recipes: Perfect for kimchi, curries, soups, and stews where color is key.