As you are aware, there are so many hot sauces on the market that it might be tough to wrap your head around another one, but stay with me here because this classic Korean condiment, gochujang, is having a moment in the sun for good reason. How to describe this fermented chili, garlic, and rice-based sauce that is enormously popular in Korea? Garlicky. Spicy. Fermented. Thick. Savory. Funky. Sweet. Umami. It’ll definitely appeal to those who like Sriracha, like us.
In this recipe found on 177Milkstreet.com, Grilled Gochujang Shrimp with Scallions gets just the right amount of spicy flavor and a healthy dose of umami from gochujang. If you’ve never purchased it, it’s often sold in plastic tubs in Asian grocery stores or in red squeeze bottles in the Asian aisle of many supermarkets.
Simply serve the shrimp with steamed rice (preferably steamed in shellfish stock instead of water) and kimchi, use as a filling for lettuce wraps, or add them to a salad along with a sesame-soy vinaigrette.
Grilled Gochujang Shrimp with Scallions
Ingredients
- 5 Tbsp. gochujang, divided
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp. grapeseed or other neutral oil
- 1½ Lbs. jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left on
- 2 Tbsp. unseasoned rice vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. salted butter, cut into small pieces
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper
- 3 Scallions, thinly sliced on diagonal
Directions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons of gochujang, the soy sauce, sesame oil and grapeseed oil.
- Measure 2 tablespoons of the mixture into another medium bowl and set aside.
- Add the shrimp to the remaining mixture and toss to coat, then cover (or put in a ziploc bag) and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
- To the reserved 2 tablespoons gochujang mixture, whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon gochujang and the rice vinegar, then toss in the butter; set aside.
- Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for high-heat cooking. For a charcoal grill, ignite a large chimney of coals, let burn until lightly ashed over, then distribute the coals evenly over one side of the grill bed; open the bottom grill vents. For a gas grill, turn all burners to high. Heat the grill, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes; clean and oil the grate.
- While the grill heats, thread the shrimp onto four or five 12-inch skewers, dividing them evenly; skewer each shrimp in a C shape, piercing through two points.
- Place the skewers on the hot side of the grill and cook until they begin to char and the tails begin to blister, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until the shrimp are just opaque, another 1 to 2 minutes.
- Slide the shrimp off the skewers into the bowl containing the gochujang-butter mixture and toss until the butter has melted and the shrimp are well coated.
- Add the scallions and toss again, then taste and season with salt and pepper.
NOTE: Don’t over-marinate the shrimp. If left for longer than 1 hour in the marinade, the shrimp may become too salty.
Accounting for Taste 