Korean BBQ Meatballs
These Korean BBQ meatballs are sweet, salty, and slightly spiced, making them perfect for a quick family dinner or a party appetizer.
Ingredients
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or ground chicken Choose high-quality ground beef (80/20) for juicier meatballs or lean ground chicken for a lighter option.
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs Use plain breadcrumbs for best results.
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped Chop finely for even mixing.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced Add flavor depth.
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated Use fresh ginger for best flavor.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce Low-sodium soy sauce may be used.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar Use dark brown sugar for a richer flavor.
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 large egg Lightly beaten.
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) Adjust for spice preference.
- to taste sesame seeds, for garnish
- to taste additional green onions, for garnish
Glaze Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, chopped green onions, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, egg, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Using your hands, mix until well combined, then shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space in between each meatball.
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the glaze by combining 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
Cooking
- Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, until cooked through and golden brown.
- Once cooked, drizzle or brush the glaze over the meatballs, ensuring they are well-coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and additional chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
These meatballs are perfect for meal prep. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.