Can I substitute sambal oelek for gochujang?

Although the main ingredient in sambal oelek and gochujang is chili peppers, they are not interchangeable in all recipes. Gochujang is thicker and has a sticky paste texture whilst sambal oelek is waterier and like a sauce in terms of consistency. However, if you use 1-2 tablespoons instead of 3 in both the meatballs and glaze mixtures, you can certainly substitute it and make sambal oelek meatballs instead. Also omit the vinegar from the glaze as sambal oelek already has it incorporated in it and will be tangy enough.

What’s a good gochujang brand?

Chung Jung One Sunchang Gochujang or their Extreme Spicy one (for spice lovers) are excellent choices. CJ Haechandle Gochujang, Sempio, and Jongga are also very good in terms of taste and quality.

Which is spicier gochujang or gochugaru?

Gochugaru is spicier than gochujang as it is a coarse ground chili powder. Gochujang spice levels vary from brand to brand, but is still milder than almost all gochugaru brands because it is a spicy and sweetish chili pepper paste with smoky notes.

How long to bake chicken meatballs at 400°F?

At 400°F/200°C, chicken meatballs would take 28-30 minutes to cook through. However, these meatballs take 20-22 minutes to bake only because they will be broiled for 2-3 minutes after applying the glaze/sauce.

Spicy Gochujang Chicken Meatballs (Baked)

Spicy Gochujang Chicken Meatballs

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Easy to make, super juicy, and full of the BEST spicy, sweet and smoky flavors! These baked Spicy Gochujang Chicken Meatballs are delicious as a party appetizer or main, and fantastic for meal prep too!

Author: Lavina
Prep Time: 20
Cook Time: 25
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 21 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Bake
Cuisine: Korean-inspired

Ingredients

Scale

For the Spicy Gochujang Chicken Meatballs:

480 grams / 1.1 pounds Ground Chicken
40 grams / ¾ cup Panko Breadcrumbs
1 large Egg – lightly beaten
3 Asian Red Shallots (or use shallots or French eschalots) – finely chopped
1 Spring Onion (Scallion/Green Onion) – finely chopped
6 Garlic cloves – grated
1 TBLS grated Ginger
2–4 fresh Red Chilies (I used Bird’s Eye, but any small hot red chilies will work), to taste – finely chopped
3 TBLS Gochujang (Korean chili pepper paste)
2 TBLS Low Sodium Light Soy Sauce
½ TBLS Korean Sake (optional)
½ TSP Kosher Salt
½ TSP freshly cracked Black Pepper
½ TSP ground Cayenne (optional), to taste
½ TSP Gochugaru (course ground Korean chili powder flakes), to taste
1 TBLS Sesame Oil
1–2 TBLS Canola Oil (or other neutral cooking oil, for brushing foil and rolling meatballs)
To Serve/Garnish: toasted White Sesame Seeds, toasted Black Sesame Seeds, finely chopped Spring Onion (green parts only)

For the Gochujang Glaze:

2–3 TBLS Gochujang, to taste
1 TBLS Honey
½ TBLS Distilled White Vinegar
1.5 TBLS Low Sodium Light Soy Sauce
½ TSP Gochugaru
1 TSP Sesame Oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prep: Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F. Line a large baking tray with a sheet of aluminum foil (or parchment paper) and lightly brush with canola oil (or spray with oil).
Make the meatballs: Combine all the ingredients for the gochujang chicken meatballs except the canola oil and garnish toppings in a large mixing bowl. Mix with your hands until combined well. Roll into 20-21 balls and line them evenly apart on the prepared baking tray.
Bake: Place the tray on the center rack of the oven and bake for 20-22 minutes.
Make the glaze: While the meatballs are baking, combine all the gochujang glaze ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Mix well with a spoon until evenly combined.
Brush with glaze: Remove the meatballs from the oven. Preheat the broiler on high (or switch on the grill setting and set to high). Brush the meatballs with the glaze on the tops, sides, and bottoms by gently sliding the pastry brush under the meatballs.
Broil: Broil for 2-3 minutes on the center oven rack. Transfer the tray to a wire cooling rack.
Garnish: Garnish with the toasted white and black sesame seeds and chopped spring onion green parts. Transfer the meatballs (silicone tongs work well here) to a serving plate or individual tasting snack plates/bowls.
To Serve: Serve as a party appetizer on its own, or with steamed rice or cooked noodles as a main dish.

Large Mixing Bowl

Buy Now →

Notes

Gochujang and gochugaru. Gochujang is a fermented Korean chili pepper paste that comes in small tubs. In spite of its deep dark red color, it’s not super spicy. It has a spicy-sweet and smoky flavor. It can be found in the Asian aisle most mainstream supermarkets and in Asian and Korean supermarkets. Gochugaru is a coarse ground Korean chili pepper powder. It’s available in Asian and Korean supermarkets and online. Gochugaru can come in varying heat levels depending on the brand. Adjust quantity to taste, or substitute with chili powder.
Adjust spice level to taste. Since gochujang is a little spicy, feel free to use less (1-2 tablespoons instead of 3 tablespoons) in the meatball mixture and glaze/sauce. You can also use less (or omit) the fresh red chilies, gochugaru, and ground cayenne to make them milder.
Protein options and cook time/temperatures. You can use ground pork, beef, turkey, or lamb instead of chicken for the meatballs. Use a digital kitchen thermometer to check on the internal temperature of the meatballs to make sure they’re cooked through. Chicken and turkey is cooked once the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C. Pork, beef, and lamb is cooked once the internal temperature reaches 145°F/63°C and only need to be baked for 18-20 minutes before applying the glaze and broiling.
Storing and reheating leftovers. Store leftovers in a foil or parchment paper lined sealed airtight container and consume within 3-4 days. Reheat 3-4 pieces at a time in a bowl in the microwave on high for 20-25 seconds until hot throughout. It’s best to reheat in small batches as a big batch will require more time in the microwave which may cause the meatballs to harden.