Description
Sizzling Korean Meatballs with Apricot Glaze bring a perfect fusion of spicy and sweet flavors to your dinner table. Succulent beef mingles with zesty seasonings, crowned by a glossy apricot sauce that promises a memorable culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) lean ground beef
- 1 egg
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 4 green onions (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons gochujang paste (or sriracha)
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon pepper
Binding and Coating:
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) breadcrumbs (such as panko)
Glaze:
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) apricot jam
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons gochujang paste (or sriracha)
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and heat the oven to 400°F for optimal cooking conditions.
- Combine all meatball ingredients in a large mixing bowl, using hands to thoroughly blend the mixture without overworking the meat.
- Gently shape the meat mixture into uniform 1-inch spherical meatballs, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between each piece to allow proper heat circulation.
- Roast the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the tray midway to ensure uniform browning and complete internal cooking.
- While meatballs are baking, whisk the glaze ingredients in a separate bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
- Once meatballs are fully cooked, transfer them directly into the glaze mixture, gently tossing to coat each piece evenly with the apricot sauce.
- Optional: Sprinkle finely chopped chives over the glazed meatballs for a fresh, aromatic garnish.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice or as a standalone appetizer, ensuring the meatballs remain warm and glistening with sauce.
Notes
- Swap ground meats to customize the texture and flavor profile, trying combinations like beef and pork or chicken and turkey for lighter options.
- Keep meatball sizes consistent to ensure even cooking, using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon measure for uniform results.
- Prevent dry meatballs by adding moisture-rich ingredients like grated onion, breadcrumbs soaked in milk, or an extra egg yolk.
- Enhance glaze depth by adding a splash of rice vinegar or mirin for subtle tangy complexity that complements the sweet apricot base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 305 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg