Easy Korean Gochujang Meatballs Recipe
These Easy Korean Meatballs combine juicy ground beef with classic Korean flavors like gochujang, garlic, and ginger for a deliciously spicy and sweet bite-sized treat. Baked to perfection and glazed with a rich sauce, they make a fantastic appetizer or main dish that is quick and simple to prepare.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 meatballs
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 and 1/2 pounds ground beef (80/20 is best)
- 3 green onions (very thinly sliced)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ tsp salt
Glaze
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp gochujang
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two large baking sheets with foil. This step prepares the workspace for baking the meatballs evenly.
- Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, green onions, minced garlic, beaten egg, panko breadcrumbs, gochujang, fresh ginger, soy sauce, and salt. Mix gently until just combined to avoid making the meatballs tough.
- Form the meatballs: Roll the mixture into 24 evenly sized meatballs; using a cookie scoop can help achieve uniformity. Arrange 12 meatballs on each prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs: Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 10–15 minutes or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring they are safely cooked through.
- Prepare the glaze: While the meatballs bake, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and gochujang in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk the mixture to combine all ingredients smoothly.
- Thicken the glaze: Continue cooking the sauce, whisking occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Be careful not to let it boil; reduce the heat if necessary to prevent burning.
- Glaze and garnish the meatballs: Once the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the oven and brush each generously with the prepared glaze. Optionally, garnish with sesame seeds and additional sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
- Using 80/20 ground beef ensures the meatballs stay juicy and flavorful.
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
- Using a cookie scoop helps keep meatballs uniform in size so they cook evenly.
- You can adjust the amount of gochujang in the meatball mixture and glaze to control the spice level.
- Serve with steamed rice or as an appetizer with dipping sauce for a complete meal.
Find it online: https://bitezly.com/easy-korean-gochujang-meatballs-recipe/
