Korean Barbecue-Style Meatballs

Chef John's beef meatballs are served in a spicy gochujang glaze and are simply delicious!

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 558 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sriracha hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste)
• 2 teaspoons gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste)
• toasted sesame seeds for garnish
• 0.333 cup brown sugar
• 0.333 cup thinly sliced green onions, plus more for garnish
• 0.5 cup finely crushed buttery round crackers (such as Ritz®)
• 0.75 cup beef broth or water
• 0.333 cup soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger (heated to 150 F degrees (65 degrees C) to deact

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Add ground beef to a bowl and spread gochujang evenly over the surface of the meat. Season evenly with kosher salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Spreading out the seasoning will reduce the time you need to handle the meat. Spread fresh ginger and garlic evenly over the surface. Add green onions and cracker crumbs. Mix in quickly with a fork until well combined.

Step 2

Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees C (220 degrees C).

Step 4

Form mixture into 12 equal-sized balls using wet hands. Add to a cast iron skillet.

Step 5

Bake meatballs in the preheated oven until nicely browned, about 20 minutes.

Step 6

Transfer meatballs to a plate while preparing the sauce in the same skillet.

Step 7

Drain most of the grease but 1 teaspoon out of the skillet and set onto stove over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Deglaze skillet with rice vinegar and soy sauce. Stir in brown sugar, beef broth, and gochujang. Season with sesame oil and Sriracha. Stir sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook until reduced by a third.

Step 8

Meanwhile stir together cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Reduce heat to medium-low and mix in slurry while whisking constantly. Keep simmering sauce until it has reduced to about half. Add meatballs back into the skillet and baste with the sauce. Allow to simmer, basting generously, until meatballs are heated through and are well soaked with sauce, 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 9

Serve garnished with toasted sesame seeds and green onions.