Gochujang-Inspired Tofu Meatballs
A delicious, savoury, Korean-inspired plant-based dish packed with umami and a gentle kick of spice from gochujang. These tofu meatballs are perfect as a starter, party snack, or served with rice or noodles.
Takes 25 minutes
Serves 2
Ingredients
For the tofu meatballs:
- 500 g firm tofu approximately 2 cups, tightly packed
- 10 g fresh ginger peeled and grated (approx. 2 teaspoons)
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 15 g fresh coriander finely chopped (approx. ½ cup packed)
- 4 spring onions finely chopped
- 30 ml tamari or soy sauce 2 tablespoons
- 15 g gochujang 1 tablespoon
- 15 g maple syrup 1 tablespoon
- 10 g panko breadcrumbs approx. ¼ cup
For the sauce:
- 1 small red onion finely chopped
- 10 g fresh ginger finely chopped (approx. 2 teaspoons)
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 15 g gochujang 1 tablespoon
- 30 ml tamari or soy sauce 2 tablespoons
- 15 g maple syrup 1 tablespoon
- 120 ml vegetable stock or water ½ cup
- Juice of ½ a lemon
Instructions
Prepare the tofu mixture
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F). Crumble the tofu into a large mixing bowl. Add the grated ginger, garlic, coriander, and spring onions. Stir in the tamari, gochujang, maple syrup, and panko breadcrumbs. Mix thoroughly, squeezing the mixture with your hands until it comes together and holds its shape.
Shape and bake the meatballs
- Take about 2 tablespoons of the mixture per meatball and form roughly 9 evenly sized balls. Place them on a lined baking tray and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even browning.
Make the sauce
- While the meatballs are baking, heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the red onion, ginger, and garlic for around 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the gochujang, tamari, maple syrup, stock (or water), and lemon juice. Simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened.
Coat the meatballs
- Once baked, gently stir the meatballs through the sauce until evenly coated.
Serve and enjoy
- Serve hot, garnished with extra coriander or spring onions if desired. Delicious alongside rice, noodles, or as a sharing appetiser.