Go Back
+ servings
Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatballs) Recipe

Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatballs) Recipe

Delicious Tsukune, Japanese chicken meatballs, are a savory treat that everyone will love.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course main dish
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 4 servings
Calories 200 kcal

Equipment

  • grill
  • wooden skewers
  • meat grinder

Ingredients
  

For the Tare Sauce

  • ½ cup mirin
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup sake
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
  • 3 medium cloves garlic smashed and peeled
  • 1 1-inch piece ginger sliced
  • 1 tablespoon black or white peppercorns whole

For the Meatballs

  • 1 ½ pounds ground chicken thighs
  • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup finely chopped scallions
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger finely grated
  • 2 teaspoons fresh garlic finely minced (about 2 medium cloves)
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground white pepper

Instructions
 

For the Tare Sauce

  • Combine mirin, soy sauce, sake, brown sugar, sherry vinegar, garlic, scallions, ginger slices, and peppercorns in a medium saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer, whisk to combine, and cook until mixture is thick and syrupy, about 45 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Set aside or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

For the Meatballs

  • Using hands, mix together chicken, bread crumbs, scallions, egg, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper until thoroughly combined. Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs and thread onto skewers.
  • Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread coals evenly over entire surface of charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes.
  • Careful transfer skewers to grill, if necessary supporting meatballs from bottom to prevent them from falling off skewers. Grill until first side is well browned, about 3-4 minutes. Using tongs, rotate meatballs and cook until well browned on second side, about 2-3 minutes. Repeat for remaining two sides.
  • Brush tare sauce all over meatballs and allow to cook for 15-30 seconds longer. Transfer skewers to a plate or serving dish, brush lightly with sauce again and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Notes

Optional: Use a meat grinder for a finer texture in meatballs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1meatballCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 20gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
Keyword chicken thighs, grilled chicken, Japanese Chicken Meatballs, meatballs, Tsukune, yakitori
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!