Description
A fun, kid-friendly recipe for sticky, sweet, and savory Korean BBQ meatballs that are perfect for game day. These meatballs are easy to make, require minimal cleanup, and allow children to help with the rolling process.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
- 1/2 cup (50g) plain dried breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger (or 1/2 tsp dried)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup (120g) ketchup
- 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 3 tbsp (45g) brown sugar
- 1 tbsp (15ml) rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp (10g) sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a standard baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Whisk until combined and simmer gently for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Mix gently just until incorporated; do not overmix to avoid tough meatballs.
- Roll the meat mixture into uniform balls, approximately 1.5 tablespoons each. Place them on the prepared baking sheet with space between them.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until browned and cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F/71°C).
- Transfer baked meatballs to a bowl or toss directly on the sheet. Pour about half of the reserved sauce over the meatballs and toss to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately with remaining sauce on the side.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat to prevent toughness. Use parchment paper to prevent sticking due to the sugar in the sauce. Meatballs can be frozen raw on a baking sheet before cooking. Sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs with sau
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 22
Keywords: Korean BBQ meatballs, football snacks, kid-friendly recipes, game day food, sticky meatballs, easy dinner, family cooking