Sweet and Spicy Korean Meatballs

Name: Sweet and Spicy Korean Meatballs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1 large egg; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated; 2 green onions, thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1/3 cup gochujang paste; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sesame oil

These juicy beef meatballs are packed with bold flavors and coated in a sticky, savory glaze that everyone will love.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 Korean· July 18, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

25 minutes

Total

40 minutes

Serves

There is something so satisfying about a good meatball, especially when it has that perfect balance of heat and sweetness. These Korean inspired meatballs are a favorite in my house because they come together quickly and pack so much flavor into every single bite.

I love serving these over a bed of fluffy white rice or alongside some quick stir fried vegetables. If you have any leftovers, they actually taste even better the next day after the sauce has had more time to soak into the meat.

🧺 Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/3 cup gochujang paste
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, grated ginger, half of the green onions, and the tablespoon of soy sauce. Mix gently until just combined.
3
Roll the mixture into small, even balls and place them on your prepared baking sheet.
4
Bake the meatballs for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.
5
While the meatballs are in the oven, whisk together the gochujang, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
6
Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly into a glaze.
7
Once the meatballs are done, toss them into the saucepan with the glaze until they are fully coated.
8
Serve warm with the remaining green onions sprinkled on top.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in a pan over low heat or in the microwave. These also work great as an appetizer if you serve them with toothpicks for easy grabbing.

#meatballs #korean food #dinner #easy meals

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