Description
Korean BBQ meatballs blend savory beef with zesty gochujang sauce, creating a mouthwatering fusion of American and Korean culinary traditions. Glazed with sweet-spicy marinade and sprinkled with green onions, these tender bites deliver explosive flavor that will make you crave more.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein Base:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
- 1 large egg
Aromatics and Herbs:
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 to 2 scallions, finely chopped
- 1 handful cilantro, chopped
Binding and Seasoning:
- 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for baking
Sauce Liquid Base:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) low sodium chicken or beef stock
- 4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons runny honey
Sauce Thickeners and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon dried garlic powder
Instructions
- Combine ground meat with gochujang, garlic, ginger, green onions, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring thorough and uniform blending of ingredients.
- Gently form compact, evenly sized spherical portions using a measuring spoon, placing them carefully on a lightly greased baking surface.
- Place meatball tray in the freezer for a brief 10-minute interval to help maintain structural integrity during cooking.
- Heat oven to 410°F, positioning rack in the center for consistent temperature distribution.
- Roast meatballs for 10-12 minutes, rotating the pan midway to encourage even browning and prevent potential burning.
- While meatballs cook, prepare glaze by combining soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and gochujang in a heavy-bottomed skillet.
- Bring sauce mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat to create a smooth, glossy reduction that coats the back of a spoon.
- Transfer golden-brown meatballs directly into the simmering sauce, gently tumbling to ensure comprehensive and even glazing.
- Allow meatballs to absorb sauce flavors for an additional 2-3 minutes over low heat, creating a tantalizingly sticky exterior.
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Guaranteed flavor explosion with Korean-inspired ingredients that transform ordinary meatballs into a restaurant-worthy dish.
- Freezing meatballs briefly helps maintain their perfect round shape and prevents crumbling during baking, ensuring a professional presentation.
- Sauce preparation requires constant whisking to prevent burning and achieve the ideal sticky, glossy coating that clings perfectly to each meatball.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg