Description
Gochujang Chile Con Carne – a bold, smoky chili built around Korean gochujang paste for deep, savory heat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp sesame oil or olive oil
- 1½ lb beef chuck or stew meat, cut into small cubes
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 fresh red chilies, sliced (adjust to spice level)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups beef broth
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: chopped green onion, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of sesame oil
Instructions
- In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat.
- Add beef cubes in batches, searing until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add diced onion and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes.
- Stir in garlic, ginger, and sliced chilies. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add gochujang and tomato paste. Stir well to coat the aromatics.
- Return browned beef to the pot. Add soy sauce, vinegar, and beef broth.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender and sauce is thickened.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot, topped with green onion or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- For milder heat, remove some or all of the fresh chilies or use fewer slices.
- Brown the beef in batches to develop rich color and flavor.
- Gochujang adds both heat and depth; adjust with more or less paste to taste.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, slow-simmered
- Cuisine: Korean-inspired fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Gochujang Chile Con Carne, gochujang chilli con carne, Korean gochujang chili, smoky chili con carne, chili with gochujang