Best 5 Korean Meatballs Recipes

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# Korean Meatballs: A Savory Symphony of Flavors

Korean meatballs, fondly known as "yukkkumi," are a delightful culinary creation that tantalizes taste buds with their unique blend of flavors and textures. These meatballs are a staple in Korean cuisine, often served as an appetizer or main course. This article presents a collection of Korean meatball recipes that showcase the diverse culinary traditions of Korea. From the classic steamed meatballs to the spicy and flavorful ones, each recipe offers a distinct taste experience. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes provide step-by-step instructions to guide you in creating authentic Korean meatballs that will impress your family and friends. Embark on a culinary journey as you explore the world of Korean meatballs, where savory meets succulent, and tradition meets innovation.

## Recipes Included:

1. **Steamed Korean Meatballs (Yukkkumi Mandu):** This recipe presents the classic Korean steamed meatballs, known for their tender texture and savory flavor. Ground pork is combined with a mixture of aromatic vegetables, seasonings, and a hint of sweetness, then steamed until perfectly cooked. Served with a simple dipping sauce, these meatballs are a delightful treat that showcases the essence of Korean cuisine.

2. **Spicy Korean Meatballs (Yangnyeom Yukkkumi):** For those who enjoy a bit of heat, this recipe introduces spicy Korean meatballs. The meatballs are coated in a flavorful marinade of gochujang (Korean chili paste), gochugaru (Korean chili powder), and a variety of spices. Pan-fried until golden brown, these meatballs pack a punch of flavor that will surely satisfy your cravings for something spicy.

3. **Korean Meatball Soup (Yukkkumi Guk):** This hearty and comforting soup features tender meatballs simmered in a flavorful broth. Ground beef or pork is combined with traditional Korean seasonings and vegetables, then slowly cooked until the meatballs are perfectly tender. Served with rice or noodles, this soup is a perfect meal for a cold winter day or a simple weeknight dinner.

4. **Korean Meatball Skewers (Yukkkumi Jeok):** These meatball skewers are a fun and easy way to enjoy Korean meatballs. Seasoned ground pork is mixed with vegetables and spices, then skewered and grilled until cooked through. Brushed with a sweet and savory glaze, these skewers are perfect for parties, picnics, or a quick and flavorful snack.

5. **Air Fryer Korean Meatballs:** This recipe offers a healthier alternative to traditional Korean meatballs. Ground turkey or chicken is combined with a flavorful blend of seasonings and vegetables, then air-fried until crispy and golden brown. Served with a dipping sauce of your choice, these air fryer Korean meatballs are a healthier and delicious way to satisfy your cravings for Korean food.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

KOREAN BARBECUE-STYLE MEATBALLS



Korean Barbecue-Style Meatballs image

These meatballs, inspired by traditional Korean barbecue, bring the savory-sweet flavors of caramelized meat without the need for a grill. As the meatballs bake, the soy sauce marries the garlic and scallions to create a glaze. This meatball mixture can be made ahead and left to marinate in the fridge for 3 hours or even overnight. Use ground beef that is 85 percent lean meat, 15 percent fat, or 80 percent lean and 20 percent fat for juicier meatballs. The Ritz crackers here make for a more tender meatball, but feel free to substitute plain dry bread crumbs. The meatballs are tasty on their own, but for a simple dipping sauce, combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar. Serve over steamed rice with kimchi, or as a sandwich with mayonnaise or marinara sauce.

Provided by Kay Chun

Categories     dinner, lunch, weekday, weeknight, meatballs, appetizer, main course

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup chopped scallions
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup finely crushed Ritz crackers (12 crackers)
1 pound ground beef (round or chuck)

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and use your hands to gently mix.
  • Shape the meat into 12 golf-ball-size rounds (about 2 inches in diameter), and arrange on a greased rimmed baking sheet.
  • Bake until golden and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 255, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 9 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 27 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 410 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams

SWEET-AND-SOUR KOREAN COCKTAIL MEATBALLS



Sweet-and-Sour Korean Cocktail Meatballs image

Old-school Swedish meatballs get a Korean twist, courtesy of gochujang, a spicy, subtly sweet fermented chili paste.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Beef Recipes     Ground Beef Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield Makes 50

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons minced garlic (from about 6 cloves)
2 tablespoons minced ginger (from a 2-inch piece)
5 tablespoons gochujang paste (available at Asian markets and walmart.com)
1 pound ground chuck (80 percent lean)
1 pound ground pork
1 large egg
Kosher salt
1/4 cup safflower oil
3/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon packed light-brown sugar
Thinly sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds, for serving

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, use your hands to gently combine garlic, ginger, 3 tablespoons gochujang, beef, pork, egg, and 1 tablespoon salt just until evenly combined (do not overwork, or meatballs will be dense and tough). Scoop 1 tablespoon of mixture into your palm; gently roll into a ball and transfer to a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining mixture. Meatballs can be formed, loosely covered, and refrigerated on sheet up to 1 day.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Swirl in 2 tablespoons safflower oil. Add halfof meatballs in a single layer and cook, turning a few times, until browned in places and a crust forms, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out skillet with a paper towel and brown remaining meatballs in remaining safflower oil.
  • Wipe skillet clean. Combine ketchup, remaining 2 tablespoons gochujang, vinegar, sesame oil, 1/2 cup water, and brown sugar in skillet; bring to a simmer over medium. Carefully add meatballs. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly and meatballs are just cooked through and evenly coated, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a shallow bowl, sprinkle with scallions and sesame seeds, and serve warm, with toothpicks.

KOREAN BBQ "MEATBALLS"



Korean BBQ

A perfect blend of spicy and sweet, these vegetarian 'meatballs' are sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Provided by Pure Farmland

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian

Time 20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 16

12 Pure Farmland® Plant-Based Homestyle Meatballs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
¾ cup dark brown sugar
¾ cup low-sodium soy sauce
½ cup water
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste)
1 ½ teaspoons sesame oil
½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
½ teaspoon grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
2 cups cooked rice
Chopped scallions
Sesame seeds

Steps:

  • For the Meatballs: Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and sear until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.
  • For the Korean BBQ Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients for BBQ sauce except the cornstarch and water and bring to a boil. In a separate bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water and slowly whisk into soy mixture. Cook until sauce thickens and remove from heat.
  • Add browned meatballs to the BBQ sauce and cook together until meatballs are cooked through.
  • Place cooked rice in serving dishes, add meatballs, and top with scallions and sesame seeds.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 637.4 calories, Carbohydrate 83.1 g, Fat 27 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 20.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 2524.5 mg, Sugar 43.1 g

KOREAN MEATBALLS WITH VINEGAR DIPPING SAUCE



Korean Meatballs With Vinegar Dipping Sauce image

These are good warm or cold. I served them for a dinner party, and one guy alone ate maybe two thirds of them (damn hog! lol).

Provided by Cluich

Categories     Meat

Time 55m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups ground beef
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 scallions, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted and crushed
1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
all-purpose flour, for coating
2 eggs, beaten
vegetable oil (for frying)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/2 in. ginger, grated
2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted and crushed
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (ideally, the red Korean variety)
1 pinch sugar

Steps:

  • Mix together ingredients for the dipping sauce.
  • For the meatballs, mix the ground beef, soy sauce, scallions, sesame seeds, sesame oil, and pepper. Let sit for about a half hour.
  • Form the meat mixture into balls about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Toss in flour and dip in egg, letting any extra egg drip off.
  • Heat oil in a non-stick skillet, and fry the meatballs until browned and crisp all around (and cooked through -- let's not get anyone sick!).
  • Serve warm or old with the vinegar dipping sauce.

KOREAN MEATBALLS



KOREAN MEATBALLS image

I've been making these meatballs for years. They go over big at parties.

Provided by Joanne Sarver

Categories     Meat Appetizers

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb ground round
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 c dry bread crumbs
1/4 c green onions, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
horseradish sauce-see recipe below.

Steps:

  • 1. Combine all ingredients and blend well. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place meatballs on rimmed baking sheet and bake, uncovered, in a 500 degrees oven for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Serve meatballs in a chafing dish along side horseradish sauce.
  • 2. HORSERADISH SAUCE: In small bowl combine. 2 to 4 tablespoons prepared horseradish 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion 4 teaspoons dry mustard 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon lemon juice Transfer into dish deep enough for dipping meatballs.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ground beef: The quality of your ground beef will greatly impact the flavor of your meatballs. Look for ground beef that is at least 80% lean and has a good amount of marbling.
  • Don't overmix the meatball mixture: Overmixing the meatball mixture will make the meatballs tough. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined.
  • Chill the meatball mixture before cooking: Chilling the meatball mixture for at least 30 minutes will help the meatballs hold their shape better when cooking.
  • Cook the meatballs over medium heat: Cooking the meatballs over medium heat will help prevent them from burning on the outside while still cooking through on the inside.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatballs are cooked through: The meatballs are done cooking when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Conclusion:

Korean meatballs are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or main course. They are perfect for parties, potlucks, or a weeknight dinner. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that your family and friends will love. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting recipe, give Korean meatballs a try.

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