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An extreme close-up shot of a juicy, char-grilled Korean BBQ meatball, showing its tender texture and glossy Gochujang sauce.

Korean BBQ Meatballs: An Irresistibly Sweet & Spicy Recipe

These Korean BBQ Meatballs are incredibly juicy and coated in an addictive sweet and spicy Gochujang sauce. The perfect easy recipe for a weeknight dinner or party appetizer, ready in under 40 minutes and packed with authentic Korean-inspired flavors.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Korean
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup green onions thinly sliced
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
For the Korean BBQ Sauce
  • 1/2 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp water
For Garnish
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 tbsp sliced green onions

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Whisk

Instructions
 

  1. In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef, ground pork, panko, 4 cloves of minced garlic, green onions, egg, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Mix with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
  2. Roll the mixture into uniform 1.5-inch meatballs. You should have about 24-28 meatballs.
  3. Heat a neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides. Work in batches if needed to avoid crowding the pan. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 cloves of minced garlic and the grated ginger. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Whisk in the gochujang, honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce begins to thicken.
  6. Return the meatballs to the skillet and gently toss to coat them in the sauce. Allow them to simmer in the sauce for 5-7 minutes, until cooked through and the sauce has glazed the meatballs.
  7. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

Tip 1: For even cooking, use a cookie scoop to ensure all your meatballs are the same size.
Tip 2: Adjust the amount of Gochujang to your preferred spice level. Start with less if you are sensitive to heat.
Tip 3: These meatballs can be made ahead and frozen. Thaw before reheating in the sauce.
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