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Korean Barbecue-Style Meatballs

Korean Barbecue-Style Meatballs

Delicious Korean Barbecue-Style Meatballs made with ground beef, gochujang, and a tangy glaze.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Korean
Servings 4 meatballs
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients
  

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons gochujang Korean hot pepper paste
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger heated to 150 F or soaked in vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • cup thinly sliced green onions plus more for garnish
  • ½ cup finely crushed buttery round crackers such as Ritz®
  • toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Glaze Ingredients

  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • ¾ cup beef broth or water
  • cup brown sugar
  • cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang Korean hot pepper paste
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha hot sauce
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Add ground beef to a bowl and spread gochujang evenly over the surface of the meat. Season evenly with kosher salt, pepper, and soy sauce.
  • Spread fresh ginger and garlic evenly over the surface. Add green onions and cracker crumbs. Mix in quickly with a fork until well combined.
  • Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees C (220 degrees C).
  • Form mixture into 12 equal-sized balls using wet hands. Add to a cast iron skillet.
  • Bake meatballs in the preheated oven until nicely browned, about 20 minutes.
  • Transfer meatballs to a plate while preparing the sauce in the same skillet.
  • Drain most of the grease but 1 teaspoon out of the skillet and set onto stove over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Deglaze skillet with rice vinegar and soy sauce. Stir in brown sugar, beef broth, and gochujang. Season with sesame oil and Sriracha. Stir sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook until reduced by a third.
  • Meanwhile stir together cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Reduce heat to medium-low and mix in slurry while whisking constantly.
  • Keep simmering sauce until it has reduced to about half. Add meatballs back into the skillet and baste with the sauce.
  • Allow to simmer, basting generously, until meatballs are heated through and are well soaked with sauce, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Serve garnished with toasted sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

For a more intense flavor, let the meatball mixture sit in the fridge for a longer time if possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 2meatballsCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 18gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 460mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 3mg
Keyword barbecue, dinner, Korean Barbecue-Style Meatballs, Korean cuisine, meatballs
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