Creamy Spicy Gochujang Bean Skillet! A pantry-friendly meal that feels indulgent, this recipe sings with bold flavors and protein-packed beans that’s perfect for cozy dinners or weeknight meal prep.
This Creamy Spicy Gochujang Bean Skillet is a budget-friendly staple you’ll crave all week long. Quick to pull together and deliciously creamy, it hits the table with comforting richness and a lively kick. White beans provide a hearty backbone, while roasted red bell peppers add a sweet, smoky depth that complements the fiery gochujang sauce. The result is a hearty, spiced skillet that’s easy on the wallet and big on flavor, making it a weeknight hero for those who love a little heat without sacrificing creaminess or substance.
Whole Food Plant Based, Vegan, plant based, oil free, refined sugar free, no highly processed ingredients and gluten free.
Hi there, Ameera here!
We literally devoured this spicy dish. It is so gosh darned delicious! You gotta give this one a try, every spoonful delivers a bright, peppery sweetness balanced against a bold gochujang punch that lingers on the palate.
Don’t miss out on this crave-worthy, crowd-pleasing skillet.
Tips for Success:
- Flavor Profile: This Creamy Spicy Gochujang Bean Skillet is a budget-friendly dish that is fast, easy, and delicious. It’s creamy, hearty, and full of spiciness. White beans and roasted red bell peppers swim in a spicy Gochujang sauce that is sure to please spicy heat lovers everywhere.
- Gochujang: Gochujang is a thick, spicy, and savory-sweet Korean fermented chili paste that is a staple in the Korean cuisine. It comes in mild, medium, and hot. If you are concerned about heat, select a mild version. We used a medium heat level in this dish.
- Amount of Gochujang to Use: The amount of gochujang used in this dish is relative to the type of gochujang being used as gochujang ranges from mild to hot. Read the label to determine what type of gochujang you are using. Additionally, the level of heat tolerated is largely an individual preference. When taste testing, note that the heat builds on the back of the palate rather than the front.
- Gochujang Substitutions: This main component of this recipe is built around the Gochujang. We do not have any substitutions to offer.
- Do Not Drain the Beans – Aquafaba/Bean Broth/Bean Juice: Aquafaba literally means “bean water”. It refers to the starchy, viscous liquid that is found in a can of beans. The aquafaba in this recipe comes from the white beans (not chickpeas as commonly referenced). Do not drain or rinse it off the white beans as the aquafaba is foundational to this recipe.
- Texture: Aquafaba has a unique texture. Some individuals may not enjoy the texture of aquafaba as it can be slightly off-putting for individuals with textural issues. We enjoy the additional texture of creaminess that it adds to this dish as we feel like it is important for success of this recipe.
- Sauciness: This dish is beautifully saucy.
- Roasted Red Bell Peppers: Be sure to read the label when purchasing roasted red bell peppers. Select an oil-free brand if Whole Food Plant Based.
- Cooking Time: Simmer for 10 minutes or longer to allow the Gochujang to fully infuse the broth. The dish can be simmered longer to soften the beans even further into a very tender bean dish; however, please note that the total number of servings may slightly decrease directly relative to the length of time that the beans are simmered, in other words, the broth is reduced.
- White Beans: We used cannellini beans. You can substitute the cannellini beans for your favorite white bean like Great Northern Beans, navy beans, or chickpeas.
- Table Salt: If using table salt, you should use less table salt than the amount listed in the ingredients as sea salt crystals are larger than table salt crystals. Since table salt crystals are very fine, less table salt is required to season a dish. We would suggest starting with about 1/4 to 1/2 the amount of sea salt listed. You can always add more salt but cannot take it away. We recommend using sea salt as it is less refined than table salt.
- Sea Salt: Please adjust the sea salt based upon your family’s sea salt preferences and/or based upon dietary needs.
Leftovers and Freezing:
Leftovers will generally keep 5 days in the refrigerator. Store in a covered air-tight container.
This dish can be frozen.
Pantry Products:
- Gochujang: We used OFood Gochujang Premium Korean Red Chili Paste – Medium. Feel free to use your favorite Gochujang Korean Red Chili Paste. Be sure to watch the label as Gochujang ranges from mild to hot.
- Sea Salt: Please adjust the sea salt based upon your family’s sea salt preferences and/or based upon dietary needs.
Kitchen Equipment:
- Large skillet
If you try this flavorful skillet meal, we would love to know if you enjoy it as much as we do! Please leave us a review! Post a picture on Facebook or Instagram and tag us! We would love to hear from you.
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Creamy Spicy Gochujang Bean Skillet
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 25 Minutes
- Total Time: 35 Minutes
- Yield: 4 Cups 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Quick to pull together and oh-so-flavorful, this Creamy Spicy Gochujang Bean Skillet hits the table with comforting richness and a bold kick.
Ingredients
Skillet Ingredients:
- 1 cup finely diced white onions
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup light coconut milk [from can]
- 2 – [ 15.5 cans ] white beans, undrained *
- 1 Tablespoon Gochujang [Brown Rice Red Pepper Paste – Medium] (+/-) *
- 2/3 cup finely diced roasted red bell peppers *
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (+/-)
Spice/Herb Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch to ¼ teaspoon sea salt (+/-) *
Serving Ideas:
- Steamed Rice
- Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Place all the Spice/Herb Ingredients into a small bowl, mix well, set aside.
- In a large skillet, add the finely diced white onions, sauté over medium-high heat for 7 to 9 minutes, add a splash of water, if needed to avoid burning.
- Then lower the heat to medium, add the minced garlic and tomato paste, sauté, stir constantly for one minute.
- Then add all the remaining Skillet Ingredients and the Spice/Herb Mix to the skillet, stir to incorporate, bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Simmer with a very low-percolating boil for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the some of the liquids have reduced.
- Taste test, add additional Gochujang, if needed. If additional Gochujang is added, simmer for several minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Remove from the stove and allow to rest for 5 minutes, then serve and enjoy!
Notes
Please reference the blog post for Tips for Success, Pantry Products Used, Storage and Freezing, and Kitchen Equipment Used.
Sea Salt: Please adjust the sea salt based upon your family’s sea salt preferences and/or based upon dietary needs.
Serving: 4 (makes 4 cups)
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