Description
These Korean BBQ Meatballs combine tender and flavorful ground beef with a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce. Baked to perfection and tossed in a savory glaze, they make a perfect appetizer or main course inspired by Korean cuisine. Garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, these meatballs are great served over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef (or half beef, half pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (slurry)
Optional Garnish:
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped green onions, minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, ground ginger, and black pepper. Mix gently just until everything is combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1- to 1.5-inch balls and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and nicely browned on the outside.
- Prepare Sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, gochujang, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue to simmer the sauce for about 2 minutes until it thickens.
- Toss Meatballs in Sauce: Once the meatballs are cooked, toss them gently in the warm sauce until they are evenly coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving. These meatballs are delicious served over rice, noodles, or inside lettuce wraps.
Notes
- Serve over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps for a complete meal.
- You can make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them either before or after baking for convenient meals.
