The Spicy Korean Condiment That's Perfect For Amping Up Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes are a classic all-American dinner. It made appearances in most of our childhoods. We can all remember being called to the dinner table to see the familiar favorite of busy moms: a thick bun filled with saucy ground beef. With its simple ingredients and quick preparation, it's no wonder that it became popular at the family dinner table.

At times it may feel like a very dated dish — a meal that may not have a place on today's menus. It can find itself outshined by other messy sandwiches like pulled pork or New York's chopped cheese sandwich, but it shouldn't be overlooked. The Sloppy Joe can be relevant today and just as delicious as it ever was; all it takes is amping up the flavor a bit. The best way to pack a lot of flavor in between those buns is easy: gochujang. This condiment, ubiquitous in Korea, this has all the heat and flavor you need to bring that Sloppy Joe (and dinner time) to the next level.

Why is Gochujang uniquely equipped to amp up your next Sloppy Joe? Let us count the ways. This super spicy paste relies on a lot of the same base flavors that your traditional Sloppy Joe does. Joanne Lee Molinaro describes gochujang in her book, The Korean Vegan, saying, "dried Korean chilies are added to give it that fiery punch in the gut... In terms of flavor, I often liken it to a really spicy ketchup" It's that similarity to ketchup that makes this ideal for a Sloppy Joe.

Gochujang itself can be very spicy and so it's a good idea to add it to your Sloppy Joe sauce instead of using it alone. The rich heat will blend nicely with your tomato paste or ketchup and highlights the flavor of the meat. And if you're making your Sloppy Joes with prepared sauce, adding some gochujang will have it tasting that much closer to homemade.

Of course, there's more than just gochujang sauce available to elevate the Sloppy Joe experience–there's a whole host of ways to dress it up. If you're looking for a different twist on the Asian theme, consider using teriyaki sauce to give your Sloppy Joe a rich umami flavor without all the heat that gochujang brings. You can top it with some crisp slaw or scallions for a touch of freshness and bite.

You can take the sandwich in a different direction entirely and channel some Tex-mex flavors too. Adding some salsa or spicy hot sauce to the mix can give that meat a fiery kick. Topping it with some traditional favorites like cheddar cheese and guacamole will have you wondering if you're actually eating a taco. Some sliced jalapeño slices or olives will put them over the top. Of course, you don't have to go crazy; just adding the gochujang sauce will add the wow factor needed to have everyone begging for more.