Description
Meet your new weeknight hero and game-day MVP: juicy Korean BBQ Meatballs finished in a glossy sweet-savory glaze and paired with a quick spicy mayo dip that brings just the right kick. These crowd-pleasers come together fast with pantry staples like soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger, then bake or pan-sear to a caramelized finish. The creamy, chili-laced dip balances every bite, making them perfect for easy dinner, party appetizers, and last-minute food ideas. Serve over rice for a quick dinner, pile onto sliders for snack ideas, or set out with toothpicks for effortless entertaining. Great for meal prep, freezer-friendly, and exactly the kind of easy recipe that turns “What’s for dinner?” into “Make these again!”
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
2 green onions, finely chopped
2 tsp neutral oil (for pan-searing, optional)
3/4 cup Korean BBQ sauce (for glazing)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp sriracha (use 1–2 tbsp to taste) or 1 tbsp gochujang
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp sesame seeds (garnish)
2 green onions, thinly sliced (garnish)
Instructions
1. Mix the base: combine beef, panko, egg, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chopped green onions; mix gently.
2. Shape: roll into 1 to 1½-inch meatballs and place on a lined sheet.
3. Bake option: 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes to 160°F (71°C).
4. Pan-sear option: brown in neutral oil 6–8 minutes until cooked through.
5. Glaze: toss with Korean BBQ sauce; simmer 2–3 minutes until sticky.
6. Spicy mayo: mix mayonnaise with sriracha (or gochujang) and lime juice.
7. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
8. Serve hot with dip or over rice.
Notes
Do not over-mix the meat; it makes meatballs dense.
Loosen thick glaze with a tablespoon of water.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 18
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Baked; Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: Korean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs + 1 tbsp dip
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 9
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 20
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 23
- Cholesterol: 115