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–+ servings
A skillet filled with Korean meatballs tossed in a thick, glossy gochujang sauce, with a wooden spoon stirring them for even coating.

Sweet and Spicy Korean Meatballs

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These sweet and spicy Korean meatballs are packed with bold flavors, featuring juicy meatballs coated in a sticky gochujang glaze. Perfect as an appetizer, served over rice, or wrapped in lettuce for a satisfying meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Korean

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef or pork or a combination
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger grated
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons gochujang Korean chili paste
  • 2 tablespoons honey for sweetness
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons green onions chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl For combining meatball ingredients
  • Baking Sheet For baking the meatballs evenly
  • Small Saucepan For making the glaze
  • Tongs For tossing the meatballs in glaze

Method
 

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ground meat, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, panko, and egg. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  4. In a small saucepan, whisk together gochujang, honey, brown sugar, and rice vinegar over medium heat. Simmer until thickened.
  5. Toss the baked meatballs in the sauce until fully coated.
  6. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.

Notes

  • For extra heat, add more gochujang or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • Use a combination of ground beef and pork for the best texture.
  • Serve over rice or in lettuce wraps for a complete meal.

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