Gochujang Tofu, Squash and Brussels Sprouts Bowls
Updated March 12, 2026
- Ready In
- 1 hr
- Rating
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Ingredients
1 (15-ounce) block extra-firm tofu
1 pound 1-inch cubes butternut squash (peeled or unpeeled)
Salt
7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound brussels sprouts
½ cup apple cider vinegar
2 to 4 tablespoons gochujang
1 teaspoon gochugaru or other crushed red pepper, plus more to taste
1 crisp apple, like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady
1 shallot
4 cups cooked whole grains (such as farro or brown rice), warm or room temperature
Toasted sesame seeds and cilantro, for serving (both optional)
Preparation
- Step 1
Arrange a rack in the bottom of the oven and heat to 425 degrees. Cut the tofu in half lengthwise, then slice crosswise into 6 sections. (You’ll have 12 squares total.) Pat dry and transfer to a sheet pan.
- Step 2
Add the squash to the tofu and toss to coat with salt and 2 tablespoons oil. Spread in an even layer and roast for 10 minutes.
- Step 3
Meanwhile, trim and halve the brussels sprouts, or quarter if large.
- Step 4
In a large bowl, whisk together ¼ cup oil, vinegar, gochujang and gochugaru. Thinly slice the apple and shallot and add to the dressing, then taste a piece of apple and adjust seasonings with gochujang, gochugaru and salt until savory and spicy to your liking.
- Step 5
To the sheet pan, add the brussels sprouts, 1 tablespoon oil and a pinch of salt. Use a spoon or spatula to spread into a single layer, arranging the sprouts cut sides down. Roast until the vegetables are tender and golden underneath, another 20 to 25 minutes.
- Step 6
Add everything on the sheet pan to the bowl of dressing. Toss to coat, then eat on top of grains, with a spoonful of the vinaigrette, plus sesame seeds and cilantro if you like.
Private Notes
Comments
tasted the sauce as-written and it was a bit too acidic for my liking. I added a bit of soy sauce and toasted sesame oil to take it closer to a traditional bimbimbap sauce (referencing a recipe from Meera Sodha's East cookbook) and that helped.
I really liked this. The dressing was the perfect sweet-sour combo. I used 4 tablespoons of gochujang and a teaspoon of red chili flakes, and it was not too spicy. I didn’t skimp on the salt either. The veggies and tofu were nice and browned after roasting. Served over short grain brown rice and included sesame seeds and cilantro. Yum!
The dressing was really delicious. Next time I would use less vinegar and maybe add some sugar to thicken it.
I chose this to use up some winter vegetables I still had on hand. I loved it! I wouldn't recognize it as bimbimbap, which for me is all about the egg--and it's possible that actually egg would make a nice addition. What I liked was the combination of textures and bold, contrasting flavors. Contrary to one commenter, I did not find the dressing too acidic at all. I wish I had checked on the vegetables after 20 minutes, since at 25 the sprouts were quite brown, though not burnt. Glad I tried it.
Mouth-puckeringly tart! But also the description for how to cut the tofu seemed unnecessarily specific yet unclear: “3/4 inch cubes” would work. I love gochujang and will be giving this another go, but will halve the vinegar and pre-season the tofu.
Took a pointer from other commenters and halved the vinegar. Perfect balance! Will definitely make again, perhaps with other proteins to switch things up.

