Hey friends! Are you ready to whip up something spectacular in the kitchen that won’t take up your entire evening? This Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip comes together in about 30 minutes and is perfect for an awesome weeknight dinner that your family will love! Seriously, these meatballs are loaded with flavor, and the spicy mayo dip? Absolute game changer! And trust me, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can totally switch up the ingredients based on what you’ve got on hand or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal, because let’s face it, we all have those random bits and bobs sitting in the pantry!
What You’ll Need to Make These Flavor Bombs
Before we dive headfirst into this deliciousness, let’s break down the ingredients. The good news? These are mostly pantry staples that you might already have around!
For the Korean BBQ Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or ground chicken : Either works beautifully, depending on your family’s preferences!
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs : For that perfect texture.
- 1 egg : The binding superhero.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced : Ah, the aromatic essence we can’t resist!
- 1-inch piece ginger, grated : For a little zing!
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce : Adds a savory depth.
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste) : Sweet, spicy, and oh-so-good.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar : A touch of sweetness to round it off.
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil : For that nutty richness.
- ½ teaspoon salt : Just a couple pinches!
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper : To taste.
- 2 green onions, finely chopped : Freshness alert!
For the Spicy Mayo Dip:
- ½ cup mayonnaise : The creamy base.
- 1 tablespoon gochujang : Keeping that spice train rolling!
- 1 tablespoon lime juice : A little acidity to balance it out.
- 1 teaspoon honey : A touch more sweetness!
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder : For a kick without chopping.
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish : Because we all love a pretty plate!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Now that we’re equipped with our ingredients, let’s make some magic happen! I promise it’s so simple that even beginner cooks can ace this dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix It Up: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or chicken), panko breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, gochujang, brown sugar, sesame oil, a couple pinches of salt and black pepper, and chopped green onions. Use your hands (great for releasing stress!) or a spatula to gently mix until everything is just combined. OVERMIXING IS A KILLER! We want tender meatballs, not bricks.
Shape the Meatballs: Once everything is combined, form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You could even use a small ice cream scoop for uniformity, because who doesn’t love meatballs that look like they came from a fancy restaurant?
Decide on Your Cooking Method: You have options here! You can fry, bake, or even air-fry these bad boys.
Pan-Frying: Heat up a little oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs, making sure not to crowd the pan. Cook for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally until browned and cooked through.
Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the meatballs on a lined baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until they’re irresistibly golden.
Air-Frying: If you’re lucky enough to have an air fryer, preheat it to 375°F (190°C) and cook the meatballs for around 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Get Saucy: While the meatballs are cooking, it’s time to whip up that spicy mayo dip! In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, gochujang, lime juice, honey, and garlic powder until nice and smooth. Adjust the spice and sweetness to your liking, maybe a little more honey if you’re feeling adventurous!
Plating Time: Once the meatballs are cooked to perfection, transfer them to a serving plate, drizzle (or dunk!) with the spicy mayo dip, and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for that finishing touch! You want to be Instagram-worthy, right?
Why I Love This Recipe
I’m telling you, this is my go-to recipe when I want something quick, comforting, and full of flavor. It’s pure comfort food, and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I watch my kids devour these little flavor bombs! And the best part? You can use whatever you’ve got on hand, which is a lifesaver for busy nights in my kitchen. It’s super versatile, so it never gets boring! Honestly, I’m a real sucker for meatballs, anything you can dunk or slather a sauce on immediately grabs my heart. Plus, it’s a hit every time I make it at family gatherings!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Korean BBQ Steak Rice Bowls, my Korean Beef Bulgogi, or my Thai Basil Beef Rolls! They’re all crowd-pleasers that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This recipe literally comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for those busy weeknights when you’re juggling a million things (a relatable struggle for many, right?).
Customizable
The beauty of these Korean BBQ Meatballs is how you can play with the ingredients. Don’t have ground beef? Use turkey! No gochujang? A little sriracha can do the trick! Just let your pantry guide you!
Crowd-Pleaser
Seriously, the whole family will love it! My picky eight-year-old even asked for seconds last time, huge win! The rich flavors and deliciously creamy dip make these meatballs so irresistible.
Meal Prep Friendly
You can whip up a double batch of these meatballs and freeze them for later. Just pop them out of the freezer, throw them in a sauce, and you’ll have a quick meal ready to go.
Comfort Food
These meatballs are super satisfying and loaded with tons of flavor that warm your heart and fill your tummy!
Serving Suggestions
These Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip are versatile enough to be served in several ways! Here are a few suggestions:
- Over Steamed Rice: They create a beautiful bowl of goodness when served over steaming hot rice.
- With Veggies: Toss in some stir-fried vegetables for a wholesome touch!
- As Appetizers: They make fantastic finger food! Arrange them on a platter and watch them disappear at parties.
- With Noodles: Serve over some soba noodles for a delightful twist!
Storage Tips
Refrigerator: Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Just store them in an airtight container.
Reheating: To reheat, pop them in the microwave for a couple of minutes or back in the skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
Freezer Friendly: Yes! These meatballs freeze wonderfully. Just allow them to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Okay, so whether you’re looking to impress someone or just keep your family happy with a hearty dinner, these Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip are genuinely a recipe you’ll want in your dinner rotation.
It’s packed with flavor, simple to make, and flexible enough to cater to what you have on hand. So, grab those ingredients, and let’s get cooking! You won’t regret it I assure you!
Happy cooking, and until next time, stay inspired in the kitchen! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
Print
Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Paleo
Description
A flavor-packed, beginner-friendly recipe perfect for a quick weeknight dinner your family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or ground chicken
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon gochujang
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or chicken), panko breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, gochujang, brown sugar, sesame oil, salt, black pepper, and chopped green onions. Mix until just combined.
- Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Choose your cooking method: pan-fry, bake, or air-fry the meatballs.
- If frying, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat, add the meatballs, and cook for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally until browned and cooked through.
- If baking, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), place meatballs on a lined baking sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- If using an air fryer, preheat to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Meanwhile, mix the mayonnaise, gochujang, lime juice, honey, and garlic powder in a small bowl until smooth to prepare the spicy mayo dip.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, plate them, drizzle with spicy mayo dip, and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Notes
These meatballs are versatile; you can use different proteins or adjust the spice level. They also freeze well for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Frying, Air-Frying
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
