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A close-up shot of homemade Korean BBQ meatballs in a dark bowl, coated in a glossy, spicy gochujang sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
FL Recipes

Korean BBQ Meatballs: A Sweet & Spicy Recipe

These Korean BBQ Meatballs are incredibly juicy and smothered in an easy homemade gochujang BBQ sauce. The perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy, this recipe is ready in under 45 minutes and is perfect for dinner or an appetizer.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Korean
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef 80/20 blend recommended
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 3 green onions finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
For the Korean BBQ Sauce
  • 1/2 cup gochujang Korean chili paste
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water

Equipment

  • 1 Large Bowl
  • 1 Baking Sheet
  • 1 Saucepan

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, Panko breadcrumbs, egg, green onions, 3 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Do not overmix. Roll the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned.
  4. While the meatballs cook, combine the gochujang, 1/3 cup soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1 tsp grated ginger in a medium saucepan. Whisk to combine and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  5. In a small bowl, create a slurry by mixing the cornstarch and cold water. Pour the slurry into the simmering sauce and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
  6. Add the cooked meatballs to the saucepan and gently toss to coat them completely in the sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcalProtein: 21gFat: 22gFiber: 2g

Notes

For the best texture, use your hands to mix the meatball ingredients but be careful not to compact the meat too much.
Adjust the spice level by adding more or less gochujang to your preference.
Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions for a fresh finish.
Keyword gochujang meatballs,korean meatballs,spicy meatballs

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