Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip
The first time I whipped up these Korean BBQ meatballs, I’ll admit—they barely made it from the oven to the table. Juicy, glazed and perfectly caramelized, everyone flocked straight to the tray to grab them hot with their fingers! Honestly, I couldn’t blame them. These addictive meatballs strike that perfect balance between sweet, savory, and just enough spice to keep things interesting. Pair them with a creamy, fiery mayo dip, and you’ll have a winner on your hands every single time!
Whether you’re prepping finger food for game night or planning an easy weekday dinner served over rice, these Korean BBQ meatballs are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. Ready to dive in? Let’s cook up some flavor!
Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip
🥢 A Little Foodie Memory…
I still remember the first time I discovered the magic of combining sweet and savory flavors. I was at a friend’s BBQ gathering, and she had just come back from a trip to Seoul. She’d perfected a Korean-inspired meatball recipe with a homemade spicy mayo dip sitting prettily on the side. It took just one bite to know that combination was sheer genius! Between laughter, stories, and way too many meatballs than I care to admit—well, it became clear I HAD to recreate and share it with you all. And here we are!
🧾 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef or pork
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the BBQ Glaze:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- Optional: 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tsp water (for thickening)
For the Spicy Mayo Dip:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Sriracha or gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tsp lime juice or rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp honey (optional)
Garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep and Roll Your Meatballs
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, green onions, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and black pepper.
- Gently mix everything together (hands work best!) until evenly combined, then shape the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs. Arrange them evenly spaced on your baking sheet.
Step 2: Bake to Juicy Perfection
- Bake the meatballs at 400°F for 15–18 minutes or until thoroughly cooked and lightly browned around the edges.
Step 3: Prepare the Cozy Korean Glaze
- While your meatballs are baking, whisk together soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for roughly 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- If you prefer a thicker glaze, add the cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tsp water) and whisk until thickened.
Step 4: Coat Those Meatballs!
- Once baked, carefully toss hot meatballs in the glaze until each one is beautifully coated, shiny, and irresistible.
Step 5: Whip Up the Delightful Spicy Mayo
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Sriracha (or gochujang), lime juice or vinegar, and honey (optional). Taste and adjust spice levels if needed.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle your yummy BBQ meatballs with sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions. Serve right away alongside your zingy, spicy mayo dip and watch the smiles appear!
🍽️ Serving Suggestions & Ideas
- Serve these incredible meatballs as an appetizer at your next party—be sure to have napkins handy!
- Pair with fluffy jasmine rice or noodles for a hearty dinner that’s full of bold Asian-inspired flavors.
- Add steamed veggies on the side for a balanced and colorful meal.
🌟 Pro Chef Tips from Me to You:
- Don’t overmix! Mixing meatballs too much can make them tough, so combine ingredients gently.
- Batch-cook and freeze: Double the recipe and freeze extras for an easy mid-week dinner!
- Customize your spice level: Dial your Mayo dip up or down by altering the amount of Sriracha or gochujang added.
📊 Nutritional Information:
(Approximate values per serving—about 4 meatballs): 250 calories, 15g fat, 15g carbs, 16g protein. Keep in mind nutrition will vary based on exact ingredients used.
PrintKorean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 1x
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
1 lb ground beef or pork
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 egg (lightly beaten)
2 green onions (finely chopped)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 tsp grated ginger
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp black pepper
For the BBQ Glaze:
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
1 garlic clove (minced)
1 tsp grated ginger
Optional: 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tsp water
For the Spicy Mayo Dip:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp Sriracha or gochujang
1 tsp lime juice or rice vinegar
1/2 tsp honey (optional)
For Garnish:
Sesame seeds
Chopped green onions
Instructions
1️⃣ Make the meatballs: Mix all ingredients and roll into 1½-inch balls.
2️⃣ Bake: Place on a lined sheet and bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes.
3️⃣ Make the glaze: Simmer all glaze ingredients. Thicken with cornstarch if desired.
4️⃣ Glaze the meatballs: Toss baked meatballs in warm glaze.
5️⃣ Mix the dip: Whisk together spicy mayo ingredients.
6️⃣ Serve: Garnish meatballs with sesame seeds and green onion. Serve with the spicy dip.
Notes
Perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy!
Happy cooking, foodie friends! Until our next yummy culinary adventure, keep the smiles (and appetites) big and bold!
