Quick & Flavorful Korean BBQ Meatballs Recipe for Dinner Success

Succulent and packed with bold flavors, these Korean BBQ meatballs deliver a tantalizing twist on traditional appetizers.

Tender ground meat mingles with aromatic spices and a zesty sauce that promises to awaken your taste buds.

The recipe combines classic Korean barbecue techniques with a playful meatball approach, creating an irresistible fusion of textures and tastes.

Perfectly seasoned and glazed with a rich, slightly sweet sauce, these meatballs are a crowd-pleasing sensation.

Each bite offers a delightful blend of savory and sweet notes that dance across your palate.

Juicy and compact, they make an impressive starter or main dish that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Dive into this mouthwatering culinary adventure and bring the vibrant flavors of Korean cuisine right to your dinner table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Korean BBQ Meatballs Ingredients

• Ground Beef: Versatile protein base that creates tender, juicy meatballs with rich flavor; choose lean cut for healthier option.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to meatball mixture; fresh, firm onions provide best texture and flavor.
• Garlic: Introduces robust, aromatic punch that enhances overall taste profile; select firm, unblemished cloves.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together, ensuring meatballs hold perfect shape; fresh eggs guarantee best consistency.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps absorb moisture and create light, airy texture; panko works wonderfully for extra crispness.
• Scallions: Introduces fresh, mild onion flavor with bright green color; choose crisp, vibrant green tops.
• Cilantro: Provides fresh, herbal note that complements Korean-style seasoning; select bright green leaves.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning that amplifies natural meat flavors; use freshly ground black pepper.
• Sesame Seeds: Adds nutty crunch and authentic Korean touch; toast lightly for enhanced flavor.

• Chicken or Beef Stock: Creates liquid base for rich, savory sauce; low-sodium version controls salt content.
• Soy Sauce: Delivers deep umami flavor fundamental to Korean cuisine; choose low-sodium variant.
• Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps create glossy sauce texture; use pure, raw honey.
• Cornstarch: Thickens sauce, creating luxurious, clingy consistency; mix thoroughly to prevent lumps.
• Sesame Oil: Introduces distinctive nutty aroma characteristic of Korean cooking; use sparingly.

Tools for Korean BBQ Meatballs Success

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining meatball ingredients thoroughly.
• Handheld Mixer or Hands: Perfect for evenly mixing meat mixture.
• Baking Sheet: Needed for shaping and baking meatballs evenly.
• Measuring Spoons: Crucial for precise meatball portioning.
• Skillet: Required for preparing and simmering sauce.
• Whisk: Great for blending sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Spatula: Helpful for tossing meatballs in sauce.
• Oven: Necessary for baking meatballs to golden perfection.

Korean BBQ Meatballs Instructions

• Meatball Foundation

Combine ground meat with aromatic Korean-inspired seasonings in a spacious mixing bowl. Gently blend ingredients to create a harmonious mixture that promises bold flavors. Shape small, uniform spheres using careful hand movements.

• Oven Transformation

Heat kitchen appliance to high temperature. Place delicate meatballs on a lightly greased baking surface. Allow golden-brown edges to develop, creating a crispy exterior while maintaining a juicy interior.

• SauceAlchemy

Craft a vibrant glaze in a simmering skillet. Whisk together complex flavor elements that will elevate the humble meatball into a culinary masterpiece. Let the sauce reduce and concentrate its tantalizing essence.

• Flavor Fusion

Gently coat each perfectly baked meatball in the rich, glossy sauce. Ensure every morsel is generously embraced by the Korean-inspired glaze, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

• Serving Celebration

Present the glistening meatballs on a beautiful platter. The dish promises a journey of flavors that will transport diners to the bustling streets of Seoul, offering a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy notes.

Tips for Bold Korean BBQ Meatballs Flavor

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Meat Mix Magic: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option. Blend meats for a more complex flavor profile that keeps things interesting.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust gochujang and red pepper flakes to dial heat up or down. For mild lovers, reduce spicy ingredients; for heat seekers, add extra kick.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: These meatballs freeze beautifully before baking. Prepare a double batch, freeze on a tray, then transfer to freezer bags for quick future meals.
• Sauce Serving Flexibility: Drizzle extra sauce over rice or use as a dipping condiment. Leftover sauce works wonderfully with grilled vegetables or as a marinade for other proteins.
• Texture Twist: For extra crunch, roll meatballs in panko breadcrumbs before baking. Toast sesame seeds and sprinkle on top for added nutty dimension and restaurant-style presentation.

Serving Up Korean BBQ Meatballs

• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange meatballs on a large wooden board with toothpicks, surrounded by pickled cucumber slices and fresh green onions for an eye-catching Korean-style appetizer that'll wow your guests.
• Rice Bowl Delight: Serve meatballs over steamed jasmine rice, drizzle extra sauce, and top with sesame seeds and chopped cilantro for a complete and satisfying meal that balances flavors and textures.
• Quick Lunch Wrap: Stuff warm meatballs into soft flour tortillas with a crisp slaw, adding a tangy kimchi spread for a fusion-style lunch that's portable and packed with bold Korean BBQ flavors.
• Game Day Snack Attack: Present meatballs in a slow cooker for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, accompanied by small dipping bowls of extra sauce, allowing guests to grab and enjoy during sports gatherings or movie nights.

Korean BBQ Meatballs Storage Tips

• Quick Batch Prep: Whip up double the meatball recipe and freeze uncooked portions for future meals. Separate raw meatballs with parchment paper to prevent sticking, storing them in airtight freezer containers for up to 3 months.
• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep leftover Korean BBQ meatballs in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with extra sauce to maintain moisture and flavor intensity.
• Lunch Box Champion: Pack cooled meatballs with rice or in lettuce wraps for delicious work or school meals. Separate sauce in a small container to keep meatballs crisp until lunchtime.
• Sauce Bonus Hack: Extra sauce works perfectly as a marinade for chicken or vegetable stir-fries. Store remaining sauce in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one week, adding instant flavor to multiple dishes.

Sizzling Korean BBQ Meatballs Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Korean bbq meatballs bring sizzling flavor from Seoul’s street cuisine with perfectly seasoned beef. Glazed with gochujang and garnished with green onions, you’ll savor each spicy, umami-rich bite of this irresistible appetizer.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
• 1 large egg
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 to 2 scallions, finely chopped
• 1 handful cilantro, chopped
• 4 tbsps low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsps runny honey
• 3 tbsps breadcrumbs
• 1 cup (240 ml) low sodium chicken or beef stock
• 2 tbsps cornstarch
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsps sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for baking
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp dried garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Thoroughly blend ground meat with gochujang, garlic, ginger, green onions, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl, ensuring complete ingredient integration.
2. Forming: Craft uniform, compact meatballs using a measuring spoon, positioning them on a lightly greased baking surface, then briefly chill in the freezer for 10 minutes to maintain structural stability.
3. Roasting: Preheat oven to 410°F with the rack centered, roast meatballs for 10-12 minutes, rotating midway to achieve consistent golden-brown coloration and prevent scorching.
4. Glaze Creation: Simultaneously develop a rich sauce by combining soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and gochujang in a heavy skillet, bringing to a vigorous boil before reducing to a glossy, spoon-coating consistency.
5. Finishing: Immerse roasted meatballs directly into the simmering sauce, gently tumbling to ensure complete glaze coverage, allowing 2-3 minutes of low-heat absorption to develop a tantalizingly sticky exterior.
6. Presentation: Elevate the dish by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions as a vibrant, aromatic garnish.

Notes

• Chill for Stability: Freezing meatballs for 10 minutes helps them maintain shape and prevents crumbling during cooking.
• Even Cooking Matters: Rotate the pan halfway through roasting to ensure uniform browning and prevent burning.
• Glaze Consistency is Key: Reduce sauce until it coats the back of a spoon for a perfect sticky, glossy finish.
• Finishing Touches Count: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions to elevate flavor and visual appeal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg