Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip – A Sweet, Savory, and Fiery Fusion Favorite

Introduction

Looking to spice up your appetizer game or add bold, global flavors to your dinner rotation? These Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip are your new obsession. Juicy, oven-baked beef meatballs are seasoned with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and a hint of sweetness, then glazed in a sticky Korean-style BBQ sauce. Pair them with a cool, creamy spicy mayo dip, and you’ve got the ultimate flavor explosion.

Perfect for game day, party platters, or a meal served over rice or noodles, these meatballs are sweet, salty, savory, and just the right amount of spicy.

For more Asian-fusion dinners, appetizer hits, and crowd-pleasing sauces, visit recipeservice.net, where bold flavor meets everyday ease.


🛒 Ingredients

🥩 Meatball Mix

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated (or 1 tsp paste)
  • 3 green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

🍯 Korean BBQ Glaze

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp ginger paste or grated
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp chili paste (gochujang or sambal oelek)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water, for thickening

🌶 Spicy Mayo Dip

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp chili paste (adjust to heat preference)

🌿 Garnishes (Optional)

  • Sesame seeds
  • Sliced green onion
  • Lime wedges

👨‍🍳 Directions

🔥 Step 1: Preheat Oven & Prep Pan

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly greased foil

🥣 Step 2: Mix the Meatballs

In a large bowl, combine:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 minced garlic cloves
  • 1-inch grated ginger
  • 3 chopped green onions
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

Mix until just combined—do not overwork the meat.


🧆 Step 3: Form and Bake

  • Form mixture into 1½-inch balls (yields ~20 meatballs)
  • Place on the prepared baking sheet
  • Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until browned and cooked through (160°F internal temp)

🍯 Step 4: Make the Korean BBQ Sauce

While meatballs are baking, combine in a small saucepan:

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 minced garlic clove
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tbsp chili paste

Simmer on medium heat for 2–3 minutes. Then stir in:

  • 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water

Continue simmering until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.


🧄 Step 5: Make the Spicy Mayo

In a small bowl, whisk together:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp chili paste

Chill until ready to serve.

Adjust chili paste for your spice preference. Add more lime juice for extra tang.


🥄 Step 6: Toss and Serve

  1. When meatballs are done, transfer to a bowl.
  2. Pour the Korean BBQ glaze over the hot meatballs.
  3. Toss gently to coat each one in sticky sauce.

🌿 Step 7: Garnish and Plate

Serve meatballs on a platter or in bowls with:

  • A drizzle or side of spicy mayo
  • Sprinkle of sesame seeds
  • Extra green onions
  • Lime wedges (optional)

🍽️ Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 4 (as a main), 6–8 (as an appetizer)
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes

🍴 Serving Suggestions

  • Serve over:
    • Steamed rice
    • Noodles or lettuce wraps
    • Cucumber salad for freshness
  • Appetizer style:
    • Skewer with toothpicks
    • Serve on mini sliders with cucumber slaw
    • Drizzle spicy mayo right on top

🧑‍🍳 Variations

  • Ground Turkey or Chicken: Use leaner protein for a lighter version
  • Vegetarian: Use lentil or tofu-based meatball alternatives
  • Extra Crunch: Add chopped water chestnuts or peanuts to the meatball mix
  • Gluten-Free: Use tamari and gluten-free panko
  • Sweeter Sauce: Add 1 extra tbsp honey or brown sugar to the glaze

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator:

  • Store meatballs and sauce in separate airtight containers for up to 4 days

Freezer:

  • Freeze cooked meatballs (without sauce) for up to 3 months
  • Freeze sauce in a separate container

Reheating:

  • Reheat meatballs in a skillet with glaze or microwave in 30-sec intervals
  • Whisk mayo dip before reusing

❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I make these ahead?

Yes! Prep and refrigerate the uncooked meatballs up to 1 day ahead.

2. Can I pan-fry instead of baking?

Absolutely—just cook in a skillet over medium heat, turning until browned on all sides.

3. Can I use bottled Korean BBQ sauce?

Sure! Just warm it and toss with baked meatballs.

4. Is this dish spicy?

The mayo dip and glaze have moderate heat. Adjust chili paste for your taste.

5. Can I use ground pork?

Yes—ground pork adds great richness and holds moisture well.

6. How do I make it kid-friendly?

Reduce or omit chili paste and serve with plain mayo or ketchup.

7. Can I grill the meatballs?

Yes! Thread onto skewers and grill on medium heat, turning regularly.

8. What kind of chili paste should I use?

Gochujang for Korean authenticity, or sambal oelek for a brighter, spicier flavor.

9. How do I keep the meatballs moist?

Don’t overbake and use a mix of fresh aromatics, egg, and panko to retain moisture.

10. Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely—perfect for parties or meal prep.


📝 Conclusion

These Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip are the perfect mix of savory, sweet, and spicy. They’re easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and versatile enough to serve as an appetizer, main dish, or lunch bowl component.

With juicy meatballs, a sticky soy-chili glaze, and a creamy, spicy dipping sauce, this recipe brings bold Korean-inspired flavor to your kitchen—without the fuss.

For more easy Asian-fusion meals, sauces, and game-day bites, explore recipeservice.net where bold meets simple, and every dish is unforgettable.

Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip – A Sweet, Savory, and Fiery Fusion Favorite

Adam
Looking to spice up your appetizer game or add bold, global flavors to your dinner rotation? These Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip are your new obsession. Juicy, oven-baked beef meatballs are seasoned with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and a hint of sweetness, then glazed in a sticky Korean-style BBQ sauce. Pair them with a cool, creamy spicy mayo dip, and you’ve got the ultimate flavor explosion.Perfect for game day, party platters, or a meal served over rice or noodles, these meatballs are sweet, salty, savory, and just the right amount of spicy.For more Asian-fusion dinners, appetizer hits, and crowd-pleasing sauces, visit recipeservice.net, where bold flavor meets everyday ease.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

🥩 Meatball Mix

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1- inch piece fresh ginger grated (or 1 tsp paste)
  • 3 green onions finely chopped
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

🍯 Korean BBQ Glaze

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp ginger paste or grated
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp chili paste gochujang or sambal oelek
  • 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water for thickening

🌶 Spicy Mayo Dip

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp chili paste adjust to heat preference

🌿 Garnishes (Optional)

  • Sesame seeds
  • Sliced green onion
  • Lime wedges

Instructions
 

🔥 Step 1: Preheat Oven & Prep Pan

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly greased foil

🥣 Step 2: Mix the Meatballs

  • In a large bowl, combine:
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 minced garlic cloves
  • 1-inch grated ginger
  • 3 chopped green onions
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • Mix until just combined—do not overwork the meat.

🧆 Step 3: Form and Bake

  • Form mixture into 1½-inch balls (yields ~20 meatballs)
  • Place on the prepared baking sheet
  • Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until browned and cooked through (160°F internal temp)

🍯 Step 4: Make the Korean BBQ Sauce

  • While meatballs are baking, combine in a small saucepan:
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 minced garlic clove
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tbsp chili paste
  • Simmer on medium heat for 2–3 minutes. Then stir in:
  • 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water
  • Continue simmering until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

🧄 Step 5: Make the Spicy Mayo

  • In a small bowl, whisk together:
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp chili paste
  • Chill until ready to serve.
  • Adjust chili paste for your spice preference. Add more lime juice for extra tang.

🥄 Step 6: Toss and Serve

  • When meatballs are done, transfer to a bowl.
  • Pour the Korean BBQ glaze over the hot meatballs.
  • Toss gently to coat each one in sticky sauce.

🌿 Step 7: Garnish and Plate

  • Serve meatballs on a platter or in bowls with:
  • A drizzle or side of spicy mayo
  • Sprinkle of sesame seeds
  • Extra green onions
  • Lime wedges (optional)

Notes

🍴 Serving Suggestions
Serve over:
Steamed rice
Noodles or lettuce wraps
Cucumber salad for freshness
Appetizer style:
Skewer with toothpicks
Serve on mini sliders with cucumber slaw
Drizzle spicy mayo right on top
🧑‍🍳 Variations
Ground Turkey or Chicken: Use leaner protein for a lighter version
Vegetarian: Use lentil or tofu-based meatball alternatives
Extra Crunch: Add chopped water chestnuts or peanuts to the meatball mix
Gluten-Free: Use tamari and gluten-free panko
Sweeter Sauce: Add 1 extra tbsp honey or brown sugar to the glaze
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
Store meatballs and sauce in separate airtight containers for up to 4 days
Freezer:
Freeze cooked meatballs (without sauce) for up to 3 months
Freeze sauce in a separate container
Reheating:
Reheat meatballs in a skillet with glaze or microwave in 30-sec intervals
Whisk mayo dip before reusing
❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make these ahead?
Yes! Prep and refrigerate the uncooked meatballs up to 1 day ahead.
2. Can I pan-fry instead of baking?
Absolutely—just cook in a skillet over medium heat, turning until browned on all sides.
3. Can I use bottled Korean BBQ sauce?
Sure! Just warm it and toss with baked meatballs.
4. Is this dish spicy?
The mayo dip and glaze have moderate heat. Adjust chili paste for your taste.
5. Can I use ground pork?
Yes—ground pork adds great richness and holds moisture well.
6. How do I make it kid-friendly?
Reduce or omit chili paste and serve with plain mayo or ketchup.
7. Can I grill the meatballs?
Yes! Thread onto skewers and grill on medium heat, turning regularly.
8. What kind of chili paste should I use?
Gochujang for Korean authenticity, or sambal oelek for a brighter, spicier flavor.
9. How do I keep the meatballs moist?
Don’t overbake and use a mix of fresh aromatics, egg, and panko to retain moisture.
10. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely—perfect for parties or meal prep.
📝 Conclusion
These Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip are the perfect mix of savory, sweet, and spicy. They’re easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and versatile enough to serve as an appetizer, main dish, or lunch bowl component.
With juicy meatballs, a sticky soy-chili glaze, and a creamy, spicy dipping sauce, this recipe brings bold Korean-inspired flavor to your kitchen—without the fuss.
For more easy Asian-fusion meals, sauces, and game-day bites, explore recipeservice.net where bold meets simple, and every dish is unforgettable.

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