Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatballs)
Experience the delightful flavors of Tsukune, Japanese Chicken Meatballs that are perfectly grilled and infused with a sweet and savory tare sauce. These tender meatballs are ideal for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a casual gathering or enjoying a cozy meal at home. With easy-to-follow steps and simple ingredients, you can create a dish that not only satisfies your taste buds but also impresses your guests. Serve them as an appetizer, main course, or party snack—these versatile meatballs will surely become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 meatballs (6 servings) 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped scallions
- 1 large egg
- For tare sauce: soy sauce
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple juice vinegar
- 3 medium cloves of garlic, smashed and peeled
- 1 (1-inch) piece of ginger, sliced
- 1 tablespoon whole black or white peppercorns
Instructions
- Prepare the tare sauce by combining soy sauce, apple juice vinegar, dark brown sugar, garlic, ginger slices, and peppercorns in a saucepan. Boil and then simmer until thickened. Strain and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground chicken with panko breadcrumbs, scallions, egg, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper. Mix gently to avoid over-mixing.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and thread onto skewers.
- Grill the meatballs over medium-high heat for about 8-10 minutes total until cooked through. Brush with tare sauce during the last moments of grilling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 meatballs (90g)
- Calories: 183
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 309mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 85mg