If you love bold, savory, and spicy flavors, Spicy Gochujang Eggs are about to become your new obsession! Imagine jammy eggs gently simmered in a rich, gochujang-infused sauce with ground beef, garlic, and a tingle of heat—all served over steaming rice for that perfect, soul-warming bite. This is comfort food with a punch, bursting with Korean-inspired flavors that satisfy every craving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredible Depth of Flavor: Every bite is packed with the fiery, fermented punch of gochujang, savory beef, and fragrant garlic.
- Quick and Satisfying: With a few everyday ingredients, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy meal ready in under 30 minutes.
- Customizable Heat: Adjust the peppers or gochugaru to suit your spice comfort—mild or fiery, your eggs, your rules!
- Perfect for Meal Prep: These eggs store beautifully, making them a fabulous make-ahead lunch or dinner option.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy for Spicy Gochujang Eggs, but each ingredient works overtime in delivering crave-worthy flavor, texture, and color. Here’s what you’ll need and how each element shines.
- Green onions (3, divided): Both whites and greens infuse the sauce with sharpness and a pop of freshness.
- Garlic (3 cloves): The real backbone of the dish, garlic deepens the whole flavor profile.
- Green and red chili peppers (optional): Add as much or as little heat as you love—if you want a milder touch, swap in red bell pepper.
- Eggs (12 large): Our stars! Boiled just to jammy perfection, they absorb the sauce like glorious little sponges.
- Ground beef (1/2 lb/225g): This boosts the sauce with richness and makes the dish more substantial.
- Korean chili paste (gochujang, 2 tbsp): The soul of spicy Korean dishes—fermented, mildly sweet, and instantly craveable.
- Korean chili pepper flakes (gochugaru, 2 tbsp): These add smokiness and color; adjust to taste for your fiery preference.
- Soy sauce (1 tbsp): Adds deep umami and balances the spicy-sweet in the sauce.
- Oyster sauce (1 tbsp): For that silky, savory undertone with a subtle hint of seafood.
- Chicken bouillon powder (1/2 tbsp): Brings extra depth and a bit of chicken-y magic to the broth.
- Sugar (1/2 tbsp) & Honey (1 tbsp): Together they mellow out the heat and round out the flavors.
- Black pepper: Because a little peppery kick goes a long way in brightening the sauce.
- Neutral-tasting oil (1 tbsp): Used for searing beef and blooming aromatics.
- Toasted sesame oil (1/2 tbsp) & toasted sesame seeds: For that nutty, finishing touch.
- Hot steamed rice: Essential for soaking up every drop of that luscious sauce!
Variations
This Spicy Gochujang Eggs recipe is truly flexible! Don’t hesitate to get creative and tailor it to your taste buds, what you have on hand, or any dietary needs that pop up.
- Make It Vegetarian: Skip the ground beef or swap in diced mushrooms or plant-based crumbles for a meatless delight.
- Switch Up the Meat: Try ground pork or ground chicken for a different savory twist.
- Dial Down the Heat: Use only bell peppers and reduce gochugaru for a milder, family-friendly version.
- Add Extra Veggies: Stir in wilted spinach, shredded carrots, or even tofu blocks for extra nutrition and color.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve the Spicy Gochujang Eggs over cauliflower rice or a bed of sautéed greens instead of white rice.
How to Make Spicy Gochujang Eggs
Step 1: Prep All the Vegetables and Seasoning Paste
Start by thinly slicing the green onions, making sure to separate the whites from the greens—they’ll add different layers of flavor later. Chop your garlic nice and fine, and slice up those chili peppers (if you’ve chosen to use them). In a small bowl, mix together all the seasoning paste ingredients: gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, oyster sauce, chicken bouillon, sugar, honey, and a sprinkle of black pepper. Get everything ready so the cooking process is a breeze!
Step 2: Boil and Chill the Eggs
Bring a big pot with 8 cups of water to a rolling boil. Carefully lower your fridge-cold eggs into the water—using a ladle helps—and give them a couple gentle stirs so the yolks stay right in the center. Let them bubble gently for exactly 7 minutes, then plunge them into an ice water bath. Once cooled, peel and set them aside. The yolks should be perfectly jammy!
Step 3: Brown the Beef & Start the Sauce
Heat your neutral oil in a large pan over medium-high. Add the ground beef, spread it out, and let it sear undisturbed for a minute or so to get those rich, brown bits. Flip, break up the beef with a spatula, and continue cooking until it’s no longer pink—just a couple more minutes. Toss in your garlic and the white parts of the green onions, stirring for about a minute until their aroma fills your kitchen.
Step 4: Simmer the Eggs in Spicy Gochujang Sauce
Turn the heat to low, then add your seasoning paste. Sauté for 2 minutes, using either the residual heat or a tiny splash of water if you’re worried it might burn (the smell is incredible at this stage!). Add 2 cups of water and stir until the sauce is smooth. Bring it to a boil, reduce to medium-high, and slip in the peeled eggs. Let everything bubble together gently for about 7 minutes—the eggs will soak up the flavors like little sponges.
Step 5: Finish with Aromatics & Serve
Once your eggs are delightfully saucy and the kitchen smells irresistible, turn off the heat and sprinkle in the remaining green onions, chili peppers, toasted sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Give it all a final toss, then serve the Spicy Gochujang Eggs over steaming hot rice. Spoon that glossy, rich sauce over everything and add an extra drizzle of sesame oil if you love that nutty finish.
Pro Tips for Making Spicy Gochujang Eggs
- Jammy Eggs Every Time: Start with fridge-cold eggs, stir gently as they begin to boil, and don’t skip the ice bath—for that beautiful molten yolk center!
- Control the Sizzle: When sautéing the seasoning paste, keep the heat low and have a splash of water ready, so your gochujang blooms and caramelizes but never burns.
- Sauce Consistency: If you like things extra saucy, add a touch more water at the simmer stage—it’s perfect for drizzling over rice.
- Fresh Finish: Add the fresh green onions and sesame oil right at the end, off the heat, to preserve their color and bright flavor.
How to Serve Spicy Gochujang Eggs
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra toasted sesame seeds and more sliced green onions make these Spicy Gochujang Eggs even more inviting. If you love a touch of freshness, add cilantro, or a few slices of red chili for color and an extra pop of heat.
Side Dishes
These eggs are incredible with fluffy, hot steamed rice—but don’t stop there! Pair with kimchi, lightly pickled cucumbers, sautéed spinach, or even some crisp seaweed sheets for a Korean banchan-inspired spread that elevates every bite.
Creative Ways to Present
For extra flair, serve Spicy Gochujang Eggs in individual rice bowls, drizzle with extra sauce, and finish with microgreens or shredded nori. You can also slice the eggs in half for a gorgeous cross-section or try tucking a couple into a lettuce wrap for a hand-held, party-ready bite!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Spicy Gochujang Eggs keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days, nestled in their flavorful sauce. Store them in an airtight container, making sure the eggs stay covered by the sauce to prevent drying out.
Freezing
While the sauce (beef and all) freezes well for up to a month, the eggs themselves tend to toughen and discolor after freezing. For best texture and flavor, enjoy the eggs fresh and just freeze any leftover sauce—you can always boil up a few new eggs to stir in later!
Reheating
To reheat, gently simmer the eggs and their sauce with a splash of water on the stove until heated through. Alternatively, pop individual servings (including rice) in the microwave, covered, until warmed—just go slow to avoid overcooking the eggs.
FAQs
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How spicy are Spicy Gochujang Eggs?
They have a moderate, lingering heat from both the gochujang and gochugaru, but you can easily control the spice level by adjusting the chili flakes or skipping the fresh chilies. It’s all about your personal heat preference!
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Can I use store-bought boiled eggs instead of making my own?
Absolutely! Pre-cooked eggs save time—just be aware they may not be as jammy. Add them to the simmering sauce for less time to avoid overcooking the yolks.
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Is there a substitute for gochujang?
Nothing quite matches its unique flavor, but you can try a mix of sriracha, miso, and a bit of sugar as a rough substitute. For the genuine Korean fiery-sweet profile, gochujang is highly recommended.
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Can Spicy Gochujang Eggs be made ahead?
Yes! They reheat quickly and the flavors deepen after a night’s rest in the fridge. Just store covered in sauce, and gently reheat before serving.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a punchy new way to celebrate eggs, you have to try Spicy Gochujang Eggs. The perfect collision of spicy, savory, and just a touch of sweet, this dish turns every ordinary meal into something truly addictive. Give it a go, and don’t be surprised if it becomes a regular favorite at your table!
PrintSpicy Gochujang Eggs Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Spicy Gochujang Eggs is a flavorful Korean dish featuring eggs simmered in a spicy and savory gochujang-based sauce, served over steamed rice. The dish is topped with aromatic toasted sesame oil and seeds for added depth of flavor.
Ingredients
Seasoning Paste:
- 2 tbsp Korean chili paste (gochujang)
- 2 tbsp Korean chili pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 tbsp chicken bouillon powder
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- Black pepper, to taste
Other Ingredients:
- 3 green onions, divided
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 green chili pepper (optional)
- 1 mild red chili pepper (optional) (or red bell pepper)
- 10 cups (2,400ml) water, divided
- 12 large eggs
- 1 tbsp neutral-tasting oil
- 1/2 lb (225g) ground beef
- 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- Generous pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- Hot steamed rice, about 1 cup (210g) for each serving
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Thinly slice green onions, chop garlic, and slice chili peppers. Make the seasoning paste by combining all ingredients.
- Boil Eggs: Boil eggs in water for 7 minutes, then cool and peel.
- Make Spicy Gochujang Eggs: Sear ground beef, add vegetables, then add seasoning paste and water. Simmer eggs in the sauce for 7 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
- To Serve: Place eggs over hot steamed rice, drizzle with sauce, and sesame oil. Enjoy!
Notes
- 1 Tbsp = 15 ml, 1 Cup = 240 ml
- Spicy Gochujang Eggs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply boil them again with a splash of water or serve them over hot rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 egg with sauce (approximately 175g)
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 380mg