We had these amazing and flavorful burgers at a restaurant for $19. It gets pricey so we decided to enjoy more by making it at home! Our korean burgers recipe is so flavorful and loaded with the amazing gochujang sauce and kimchi pickles. Add this to your weekend burger menu!

Korean burgers recipe on a plate with kimchi on top

What is Gochujang Sauce?

If you don’t have a bottle of this in your pantry, you need one asap. Sometimes it’s called a spicy Korean ketchup but that description doesn’t do it justice. It’s unique on its own merit without having to call it ketchup. It’s a classic Korean staple that is both a sauce or marinade. Gochujang sauce a korean red pepper paste. It is a rich red chili condiment that can be used on anything and everything: vegetables, seafood, chicken, pork and beef. The rich sweet, spicy, garlicky and umami flavors are delicious. Gochujang sauce is usually in paste or sauce form and found in every Korean market. There’s so many options, it can be intimidating when a whole aisle in the Korean market is filled to the brim with Gochujang sauce. Those familiar with Korean burgers recipes will know how vital this ingredient is.

Here are a few of the Gochujang Sauces we tried and loved

Bibigo Gochujang Sauce
Bibigo Gochujang Sauce
CJ Haechandle Gochujang Paste
CJ Haechandle Gochujang Paste
Chung Jung One O'Food Gochujang Sauce
Chung Jung One O’Food Gochujang Sauce

Flavors of Korean Burgers

One word…AMAZING! The rich, umami and savory gochujang sauce on the meat patty takes this burger to a whole new level. The flavors are definitely Asian and by adding some of the spicy kimchi pickles, this burger becomes addicting. There’s such a nice balance of slightly sweet from the sauce, tangy pickles from the kimchee and rich savory flavor from the beef. Experience our delightful Korean burger through this recipe!

Video: Korean Burgers Recipe

Korean burgers recipe on a plate with kimchi on top

Korean Burgers Recipe with Gochujang and Kimchi

Yield: 3 -4 Burgers
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
If you want a really bold flavored burger, add extra gochujang sauce on top of the burger. And for extra spicy tang, load up on the kimchi pickles.
For the beef patties, we prefer a meat ratio to fat of 80-85%. It gives a great juicy patty full of flavor.
Nutrition amounts based on a 1/3 lb. burger.
5 from 1 vote

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Ingredients

For the Korean Burger Patty

  • 1 pound (454 g) ground beef
  • 3 cloves minced garlic , or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) gochujang sauce , plus extra for brushing
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground black pepper

For the Burger Assembly

  • 3-4 hamburger buns
  • 1 cup (240 ml) kimchi
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) gochujang sauce , optional for extra topping
  • lettuce, tomato, sliced green onions , optional

Equipment

Instructions 

Cook the Korean Burgers

  • In bowl combine ground beef, garlic, gochujang sauce and black pepper.
    korean burger recipe meat mix with sauce spices
  • Divide beef mixture into 3-4 portions and shape into burger patties. Try not to over-handle the meat while making the patties. The less compressed the meat is, the better the texture of the cooked burger.
    burger patties on plate
  • Heat grill over medium-high heat (if you have that option) or set up for direct grilling over coals. Scrape the grates clean to minimize sticking.
    Or heat a skillet on the cooktop over medium-high heat.
    scraping grill for pre-heating
  • Grill or cook in skillet for about 3 minutes on each side or until cooked to your liking.
    grilling korean kimchi burgers
  • Lightly oil or brush butter on open face of burger buns (we love to use this oil sprayer to lightly oil the bun faces). Grill the bun faces or toast on skillet until light golden (usually about 1 minute depending on bun type and heat).
    Burger bun toasting on grill

Assemble Burgers

  • Add lettuce to the base bun, then a burger patty and add an extra drizzle of the gochujang sauce.
    adding more sauce to burgers
  • Top the burger with some kimchi and sliced green onions if you like. Enjoy!
    finished korean burger

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 515kcal, Carbohydrates: 40g, Protein: 34g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 103mg, Sodium: 515mg, Potassium: 781mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 150IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 115mg, Iron: 6mg
Course: Sandwiches
Cuisine: American, Asian, Korean
Calories: 515

Grill the Burger Patties

If you can, grill the burger patties. Our Korean burgers recipe is fantastic when it’s grilled to perfection. The smoky and charred flavors on the meat patty really make the burger outstanding. Or if you’re cooking it on a pan, make sure the pan is super hot so you can crisp the edges of the meat. Make sure to have the fan on high!

korean burger recipe on plate with fries

Don’t Waste the Korean Gochujang Sauce

The sauce is so versatile for so many dishes beyond our Korean burgers recipe. Like we mentioned before, it’s a staple in Korean cuisine. Other than these burgers, we know it’s great for so many things. Gochujang and the red pepper paste flavors are perfect for different foods. Here’s some delicious ideas and inspirations:

  • Dip. This is great as a dip for french fries, veggies, crackers or chips.
  • Marinade! Try gochujang in your next marinade. Add a few tablespoons for a nice umami flavor and kick of heat.
  • Stir fry sauce. When stir frying, add a good squeeze of this flavorful gochujang on your veggies, meats and even fried rice.
  • Add it as a topping or finishing sauce over your grilled meats or grilled vegetables.
  • Pizza or Pasta sauce! Drizzle gochujang over your pizza or pasta sauce.

Easy Korean Recipes: