Description

This recipe provides instructions for making an incredible, easy smoky gochujang butter sauce, perfect for a vibrant seafood boil that impresses everyone. It’s a hearty, comforting dish suitable for weeknights or fun family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

226 g unsalted butter
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 large shallots, finely minced
15 g ginger, grated
60 g gochujang paste (alcohol-free)
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to heat)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1 tbsp light brown sugar, packed
60 ml fresh lemon juice
120 ml chicken or vegetable broth (low-sodium)
0.5 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
0.25 cup green onions, sliced

Instructions

Sauté Aromatics: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat until shimmering (2-3 minutes). Add the minced garlic, minced shallots, and grated ginger. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened (do not brown garlic).
Bloom Spices: Stir in the gochujang paste, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and brown sugar. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to bloom the spices and deepen their flavor. (Add a tiny splash of broth if too dry).
Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the fresh lemon juice and chicken or vegetable broth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer (about 5 minutes), stirring frequently, until it starts to bubble lightly around the edges.
Thicken and Gloss: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce gently simmer for 3-5 minutes until it slightly thickens and becomes wonderfully glossy (it should coat the back of a spoon).
Adjust and Combine: Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed (more lemon, salt, or cayenne). Gently add your pre-cooked potatoes, corn, chicken sausage, crab legs, shrimp, and mussels into the pot. Toss everything carefully with tongs until thoroughly coated in the luscious sauce.

Notes

This sauce can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For convenience, use pre-minced garlic or bottled lemon juice. Adjust cayenne pepper to your preferred heat level.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Sauce
Method: Stovetop, Simmering
Cuisine: Korean-American Fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 0.33 cup
Calories: 290 calories
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 430 mg
Fat: 30 g
Saturated Fat: 18 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 6 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 100 mg

Keywords: Seafood boil sauce, gochujang butter, spicy sauce, family dinner, easy weeknight, make-ahead, Korean-inspired, umami, stovetop.