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Korean Bulgogi Meatballs Recipe

Korean Bulgogi Meatballs Recipe


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4.7 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Juicy Korean bulgogi meatballs blend savory beef with sweet-spicy gochujang glaze, delivering Seoul’s street food magic to your dinner table. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, these flavor-packed bites will transport home cooks straight to Korea’s culinary heart.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 500 grams (1.1 pounds) ground beef

Seasonings:

  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika powder
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon beef stock powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Binding and Cooking Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Bulgogi Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons chili sauce (optional)
  • 1/2 pear, grated
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch

Garnish:

  • Green onions, sliced
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Craft the meatballs by thoroughly blending ingredients in a mixing vessel, ensuring uniform consistency. Gently form compact spherical portions approximately tablespoon-sized.
  2. Warm vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat (375°F). Carefully rotate meatballs during frying, achieving golden-brown exterior and complete internal cooking. Remove and reserve.
  3. Construct bulgogi sauce in a separate container, combining liquid and dry components excluding raw onion. Whisk until smooth and well-integrated.
  4. Utilize identical skillet, introduce minimal oil at medium temperature. Sauté diced onion until aromatic and translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  5. Pour prepared sauce into skillet, allowing liquid to slightly reduce and caramelize. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to develop rich flavor profile.
  6. Reintroduce meatballs into sauce, gently coating each piece. Simmer for additional 2 minutes, ensuring thorough sauce penetration and temperature consistency.
  7. Present atop steamed rice, elegantly garnishing with freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds for enhanced visual and flavor complexity.

Notes

  • Adapt meatball mixture by using ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that keeps the dish light and healthy.
  • Ensure meatballs are uniform in size for even cooking, preventing some from being undercooked or overdone during frying.
  • Consider adding grated ginger or garlic to the meatball mixture for extra depth and authentic Korean flavor complexity.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 160°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked meatballs without drying them out.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 385 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 720 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg