Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip

Juicy, savory, and irresistibly tender, these Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip bring bold Asian-inspired flavors right to your table. Each bite bursts with the rich taste of soy, garlic, ginger, and a touch of sweetness, perfectly balanced by the creamy heat of the dipping sauce. It’s the kind of appetizer that disappears almost as soon as it hits the table.
Whether you’re serving them up at a casual gathering, game night, or as a flavorful dinner option with rice and vegetables, these meatballs are a guaranteed hit. They’re quick to prepare, easy to scale for a crowd, and deliver a restaurant-quality taste with minimal fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll adore this recipe for its perfect combination of sweet, savory, and spicy. The meatballs are moist and flavorful on their own, but when paired with the spicy mayo dip, they become truly addictive. They’re also versatile — great as an appetizer, snack, or part of a full meal.
Can I Make These Meatballs Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to two days before cooking. They also freeze beautifully, making them a convenient make-ahead option for busy weeks or party prep.
Ingredients for the Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip
The flavor in these Korean BBQ Meatballs comes from a careful blend of fresh aromatics, savory sauces, and a touch of heat. Each ingredient plays a role in creating a juicy, tender bite that pairs perfectly with the creamy, spicy dip.
- Ground beef
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Egg
- Garlic
- Fresh ginger
- Green onions
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Brown sugar
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- Mayonnaise
- Sriracha
- Rice vinegar


How To Make the Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip
Step 1: Prepare the Meatball Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and gochujang. Mix gently with your hands until everything is just combined — overmixing can make the meatballs tough.
Step 2: Shape the Meatballs
Roll the mixture into evenly sized balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy cleanup.
Step 3: Cook the Meatballs
You can either bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until cooked through or pan-fry in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat until browned on all sides and fully cooked.
Step 4: Make the Spicy Mayo Dip
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, and rice vinegar until smooth. Adjust the spice level by adding more or less sriracha.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Arrange the meatballs on a serving platter and pair them with the spicy mayo dip. Garnish with extra chopped green onions or sesame seeds for a finishing touch.
Serving and Storing Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip
This recipe makes about 20 meatballs, enough to serve 4 to 6 people as an appetizer or 3 to 4 people as a main dish. Serve them hot for the best texture and flavor. The spicy mayo dip is best enjoyed fresh, but you can make it a few hours ahead and keep it chilled.
Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes or warm them in a skillet. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months; just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to Serve With Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip?
Steamed Jasmine Rice
The soft, fragrant grains soak up all the savory juices from the meatballs, making for a satisfying main meal.
Pickled Vegetables
Crisp and tangy pickled radish or cucumber offer a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors.
Kimchi
A classic Korean side that adds spice, crunch, and probiotic benefits.
Asian Slaw
A crunchy cabbage slaw with sesame dressing brings freshness to the plate.
Garlic Noodles
Chewy, buttery garlic noodles create a rich and savory companion.
Lettuce Wraps
Serve the meatballs wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves with a drizzle of extra spicy mayo for a low-carb option.
Cucumber Salad
A chilled cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing balances the heat from the gochujang.
Want More Appetizer Ideas?
If you love these Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip, you’ll probably enjoy these other favorites from Luna Meals:
• Crispy and Delicious Easy Chinese Egg Rolls Recipe for a crunchy, savory starter.
• Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta when you want indulgence in every bite.
• Fried Cabbage with Shrimp & Sausage for a hearty, flavorful side.
• Air Fryer Pizza Toast for a quick and satisfying snack.
• Creamy Mushroom Ravioli Recipe if you’re craving something rich and comforting.
Save This Recipe For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest appetizer board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you make them extra spicy or keep them mild? Did you serve them as a main course or a party snack?
I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too — let’s help each other cook smarter.
Explore beautifully curated recipes on Luna Meals on Pinterest and discover your new go-to for flavor-packed inspiration.
Conclusion
These Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip are a flavorful, crowd-pleasing dish you’ll want to make again and again. Easy to prepare and bursting with bold, balanced flavors, they work just as well for a quick weeknight dinner as they do for entertaining guests. With a little prep and the right ingredients, you can bring the taste of your favorite Korean BBQ spot straight to your kitchen.
Print
Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 20 meatballs
Description
Bold, juicy Korean BBQ Meatballs with Spicy Mayo Dip deliver sweet, savory, and lightly spicy flavor in every bite. This easy appetizer uses ground beef, gochujang, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil for tender meatballs, then pairs them with a creamy sriracha mayo. Perfect for parties, game day, or weeknight dinners, these Korean meatballs are quick to bake and great for meal prep.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
3 green onions, finely chopped
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 1/2 tbsp gochujang
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 to 2 tbsp sriracha
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
1 tbsp green onions, thinly sliced for garnish
Instructions
1. Mix the meatballs. In a large bowl combine ground beef, panko, egg, garlic, ginger, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and gochujang. Mix just until combined so the meat stays tender.
2. Shape. Scoop and roll into 20 even meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches each. Place on a parchment lined sheet pan.
3. Bake or pan cook. Bake at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes until the centers reach 165°F, or pan sear in a little oil over medium heat, turning to brown all sides until cooked through.
4. Make the spicy mayo. In a small bowl whisk mayonnaise, sriracha to taste, and rice vinegar until smooth and creamy.
5. Finish and serve. Transfer meatballs to a platter, sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, and serve hot with the spicy mayo for dipping.
Notes
Make ahead: Form meatballs up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate tightly covered.
Freezer friendly: Freeze raw or cooked meatballs on a sheet pan, then bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Heat level: Adjust sriracha and gochujang to taste. For mild, use 1 tbsp sriracha and 1 tbsp gochujang.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Korean inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 meatballs with 2 tbsp dip
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg