Description
These juicy Korean-style BBQ meatballs are packed with flavor and coated in a deliciously sweet and savory sauce. Paired with a spicy mayo sauce for an extra kick, these meatballs make a perfect appetizer, main dish, or party snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef or pork (or a mix of both)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking)
- For the BBQ Sauce: 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- For the Spicy Mayo Sauce: 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce (or more for extra heat)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional, for tang)
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
- Chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, green onions, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, ginger, egg, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Mix until well combined. Form the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Cook the meatballs: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs to the skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the BBQ sauce: In the same skillet, combine soy sauce, honey (or brown sugar), rice vinegar, sesame oil, gochujang, and grated ginger. Stir over medium heat until the sauce is smooth and simmering, about 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust the sweetness or heat level as desired.
- Coat the meatballs: Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet with the BBQ sauce. Toss the meatballs in the sauce until they are evenly coated and heated through. Remove from heat.
- Make the spicy mayo sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, and lemon juice (if using). Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Serve: Arrange the meatballs on a serving platter and drizzle with spicy mayo sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can broil the meatballs for 1-2 minutes after coating them with the BBQ sauce to get a slightly caramelized finish.
- If you want to make these meatballs spicier, increase the amount of gochujang or sriracha in the sauces.
- You can serve the meatballs with steamed rice, noodles, or as an appetizer with toothpicks for easy snacking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg