Korean BBQ Meatballs are an ideal game day recipe. Football season means food, family and fun in our house — if the game is on, we’re gathered around the TV with plenty to eat. Below is my refreshed, updated take on this fan-favorite appetizer, with a printable recipe card included.
NOTE: This is a revised post. The recipe below has been updated and no longer includes chips or soda.
Korean BBQ Meatballs
Family Football Game Day Recipes
Even though it may be pre-season, every game day feels like an event for us. Football Sunday — and sometimes Thursday or Monday night — is one of the few times our busy family truly gathers. We sit in the living room, eat good food and enjoy the game together.
I still remember watching my first Super Bowl at eight years old with my dad. I asked a lot of questions and eventually started to understand the strategies. I even suggested a two-point conversion once — my dad laughed and gave me a high five. That’s how it started: a love of the game that I’ve passed on to my husband and daughters.
Food, Fun, Family
I come from a large Greek family where gatherings mean generous spreads of food. My grandmother used to do all the cooking on game days — she wasn’t interested in watching the game — but I have to be in front of the TV before kickoff. I love preparing dishes that are easy to serve while everyone watches.
The Game Day Menu
For this menu I make slow cooker meatballs and a simple, refreshing drink. The meatballs are prepared ahead and finished in the slow cooker so they stay warm and saucy for guests.
I usually set out chips and dip for snacking, but the meatballs are the main attraction. This recipe uses familiar pantry ingredients and results in tender meatballs glazed in a rich Korean-style BBQ sauce.
Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Meatballs
(Full recipe is provided in the printable recipe card below.)
Combine ground pork and ground beef in a bowl with egg, diced onion, breadcrumbs and seasonings. Roll into 2″ meatballs, place on a sheet pan and bake at 400°F for about 15 minutes to firm up the exterior. Although the dish finishes in the slow cooker, pre-baking speeds the process and helps the meatballs hold together.
While the meatballs bake, whisk together the sauce ingredients until smooth. Combine the sauce, cooked meatballs and sliced green onions in the slow cooker. Cook on high for one hour, then reduce to the lowest setting or “keep warm” to hold. This keeps the meatballs saucy and ready to serve.
Recipe note: This post was updated; any prior soda-based ingredient has been removed from the recipe.
I also include a short video demonstration for reference. It’s a simple way to see the process in action.
Game Day Display
To serve, place the slow cooker on the table with small plates, toothpicks or forks and napkins. For a festive touch, create a simple display with chalkboard-style poster board and a paper bunting in your team colors. The board becomes a fun menu sign and the bunting adds visual flair.
Set the menu board near the food for easy viewing and a bit of decoration.
Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Meatballs
16 -20 meatballs
10 minutes
1 hour 10 minutes
1 hour 20 minutes
Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Meatballs — a crowd-pleasing game day appetizer that’s easy to make and keeps warm in the slow cooker.
Ingredients
- ½ lb each ground pork and ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- For the sauce:
- 1 cup vinegar-style BBQ sauce
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- ½ cup teriyaki sauce
- ½ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Pinch of pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Mix the ground pork, ground beef, diced onion, egg, breadcrumbs, ground ginger and pepper in a large bowl until combined.
- Form into 2-inch meatballs and place on a sheet pan.
- Bake for about 15 minutes to set the exterior.
- Prepare the sauce by whisking together the BBQ sauce, beef broth, teriyaki, hoisin, brown sugar, ground ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes and a pinch of pepper until smooth.
- Transfer the sauce to a slow cooker, add the cooked meatballs and sliced green onion, stirring gently to coat.
- Cook on high for 1 hour, then reduce to the lowest setting or “keep warm” to hold until serving.
Notes
There is intentionally no added salt in this recipe. Pre-seasoned ingredients and the sauces provide sufficient flavor, and omitting extra salt helps control the overall sodium level.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 250
