Description
This recipe for Korean BBQ Meatballs features tender ground beef meatballs baked to perfection and coated in a savory-sweet Korean-inspired glaze. It is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for an appetizer or served over rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Glaze:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until evenly combined.
- Form the Meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into 1-inch diameter meatballs and arrange them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they are fully cooked through and nicely browned on the outside.
- Make the Glaze: While the meatballs bake, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, and sesame oil in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the glaze thickens to a syrupy consistency.
- Coat the Meatballs: Once the meatballs are done baking, transfer them to a large bowl and toss with the prepared glaze to fully coat each meatball.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the glazed meatballs with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Serve hot either over steamed rice or as a flavorful appetizer.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground pork or a mix of both for different flavor profiles.
- For gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and gluten-free soy sauce.
- The glaze can be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.
- Adjust the sweetness and acidity of the glaze by modifying brown sugar and rice vinegar amounts according to preference.
- Serve with steamed rice or lettuce wraps for a complete meal.
