Juicy Korean Meatloaf Recipe: A Flavorful Family Favorite

Korean meatloaf blends familiar comfort food with bold, zesty Asian-inspired flavors that enhance an ordinary weeknight dinner.

Packed with unexpected ingredients, this dish elevates the classic homestyle recipe into a culinary adventure.

Rich umami notes and complex seasonings create a memorable dining experience that goes beyond traditional expectations.

Subtle heat and tangy undertones dance across your palate, promising a satisfying meal that sparks conversation.

Family-friendly yet sophisticated, this fusion recipe breaks through standard meatloaf monotony with its vibrant profile.

Hearty and filling, the dish offers a perfect balance between familiar texture and exciting international flair.

Regional spices and marinades infuse each bite with depth and character, making this more than just another meat preparation.

What Makes Korean Meatloaf a Must-Try

• Spice Up Your Comfort Food: This Korean meatloaf transforms the classic American dish with bold gochujang heat, creating a flavor explosion that breaks traditional meatloaf boundaries.
• Effortless Gourmet Experience: With simple steps and minimal prep time, home cooks can easily craft a restaurant-quality meal that impresses family and friends without complicated techniques.
• Texture Sensation: The combination of ground pork, breadcrumbs, and carefully sautéed onions delivers a perfectly moist, tender meatloaf with a delightful crispy glaze that adds exciting textural contrast.
• Cultural Fusion Delight: By blending Korean ingredients like gochujang with traditional meatloaf preparation, this recipe offers a unique culinary adventure that bridges different cooking styles in one delicious dish.

The Right Ingredients for a Bold, Savory Loaf

• Ground Pork: Lean and flavorful meat that forms the main body of the meatloaf.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps hold the meatloaf together with a rich texture.

• Onions, Green Onions: Fresh, sharp ingredients that add depth and brightness to the meatloaf.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that provides a robust and classic flavor profile.
• Gochujang: Spicy Korean chili paste that brings heat and complex umami taste.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

• Breadcrumbs: Helps absorb moisture and creates a tender, cohesive meatloaf texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Prevents sticking and helps in softening aromatics during cooking.

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How to Bake It Just Right

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 2: Sauté Onions

• Heat vegetable oil in a pan
• Add onions
• Cook until onions become translucent (about 10 minutes)

Step 3: Add Garlic and Cool

Add garlic to onions

Cook for 2 additional minutes

Place mixture in refrigerator to cool completely

Step 4: Create Flavor Base

• Cooled onion mixture
• Green onions
• Gochujang
• Eggs
• Salt

Step 5: Prepare Meat Mixture

• Ground pork
• Breadcrumbs
• Onion flavor base

Gently fold ingredients together

Step 6: Shape and Bake Meatloaf

Transfer mixture into a 9.5 x 5 inch loaf pan

Bake until internal temperature reaches 140°F (about 40 minutes)

Step 7: Prepare Glaze

Mix glaze ingredients thoroughly

Step 8: Finish Cooking

Brush glaze over meatloaf

Return to oven

Bake until internal temperature reaches 160°F (about 10-15 minutes)

Let rest briefly before serving

Tips for Moist Meat and Crispy Edges

• Master the Meat Mixture: Gently fold ingredients to keep the meatloaf tender and prevent tough, dense texture.
• Control Gochujang Heat: Adjust spice levels by gradually adding gochujang, tasting as you mix for perfect flavor balance.
• Prevent Dry Meatloaf: Use ground pork with slight fat content to ensure moisture and rich, juicy results.
• Glaze Application Technique: Brush glaze evenly in thin layers for a glossy, caramelized exterior without burning.
• Temperature Precision: Use a reliable meat thermometer to accurately track internal temperature for safe, perfectly cooked meatloaf.

Storing This Meatloaf for Midweek Meals

• Refrigerate meatloaf in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Properly stored, your Korean meatloaf will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Reheating Method: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, covering with a damp paper towel to keep moisture. Alternatively, place slices in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through, which helps preserve the meatloaf's texture and prevents dryness.
• Freezing Option: Slice the meatloaf and wrap each portion separately in freezer-safe wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Great Additions and Pairings to Consider

• Pair with Crisp Rice Wine: Complement the spicy gochujang flavors with a chilled soju or Korean makgeolli, cutting through the rich meatloaf with refreshing acidity.
• Serve Alongside Pickled Vegetables: Balance the meatloaf's richness with tangy kimchi or quick-pickled cucumber banchan, adding bright, zesty contrast to the savory dish.
• Match with Light Green Salad: Create a fresh counterpoint by serving a simple green salad with light sesame vinaigrette, helping to cleanse the palate between hearty meatloaf bites.
• Create Korean-Inspired Side Dish: Prepare steamed white rice or garlic-roasted sweet potato wedges to soak up the delicious gochujang glaze and provide a complementary texture.

Flavor Swaps That Bring Even More Heat

• Spicy Beef Fusion: Swap ground pork with lean ground beef and add extra gochujang for more intense heat, creating a bolder Korean-inspired meatloaf experience.
• Veggie-Packed Korean Style: Mix in finely chopped carrots, zucchini, and mushrooms to boost nutritional value and add extra moisture to the meatloaf.
• Gluten-Free Korean Comfort: Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy this flavorful dish.
• Protein Power Upgrade: Incorporate ground chicken or turkey with a blend of ground pork for a leaner protein option while maintaining authentic Korean flavor profiles.

Korean Meatloaf Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savory Korean meatloaf blends traditional American comfort with bold Korean flavors, creating a mouthwatering fusion dish. Sriracha, soy sauce, and sesame oil elevate classic ground beef into a spectacular meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) ground pork

Dry and Fresh Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 5 green onions, minced
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• Sesame seeds for garnishing (optional)

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 8 cloves garlic, crushed
• 3 tablespoons apricot jam
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon granulated garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic, minced

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly coat a baking pan with vegetable oil and sauté diced onions over medium heat until they become translucent and soft, approximately 8-10 minutes.
2. Add minced garlic to the onion mixture and continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator to cool completely.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together chopped green onions, gochujang sauce, eggs, and salt until well incorporated.
4. Gently fold ground pork and breadcrumbs into the seasoned onion mixture, being careful not to overmix and maintain a light texture.
5. Transfer the meat mixture into a 9.5 inches by 5 inches (24 centimeters by 13 centimeters) loaf pan, ensuring an even distribution.
6. Place the loaf pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C), which typically takes around 35-45 minutes.
7. While the meatloaf is baking, prepare the glaze by combining all glaze ingredients and stirring until smooth and well blended.
8. Once the meatloaf reaches 140°F (60°C), carefully spread the prepared glaze evenly over the surface.
9. Return the glazed meatloaf to the oven and continue baking until the internal temperature rises to 160°F (71°C), approximately 10-15 minutes.
10. Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 5-7 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Spice up your dinner routine with this Korean-inspired twist on classic meatloaf, packed with bold flavors and unexpected ingredients.
• Gochujang, a Korean chili paste, transforms ordinary meatloaf into an exciting, tangy dish that’ll wake up your taste buds.
• Sautéing onions and garlic beforehand helps develop a deeper, more complex flavor profile in the meat mixture.
• Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes after baking to ensure juicy, tender slices that hold together perfectly.
• Create a glossy, caramelized exterior by brushing the homemade glaze generously during the final baking stage.
• Serve alongside steamed rice or a crisp salad to balance the rich, spicy notes of this Korean-style comfort food.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 430 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg