Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatballs) Recipe
Tsukune, or Japanese chicken meatballs, are a delightful treat that brings the authentic flavors of Japan right to your kitchen. These tender, skewered meatballs are made from ground chicken and seasoned with garlic, ginger, and scallions, then grilled to perfection. The highlight is the sweet and salty tare sauce that glazes each meatball, creating a mouthwatering combination that’s perfect for any occasion—be it a family dinner or a casual gathering with friends. Easy to prepare and customizable to your taste, these skewers are sure to impress everyone at your table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 4 servings (8 meatballs) 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, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons finely minced fresh garlic (about 2 medium cloves)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple juice vinegar
- 3 medium cloves of garlic, smashed and peeled
- 3 scallions, roughly chopped
- 1 (1-inch) piece of ginger, sliced
- 1 tablespoon whole black or white peppercorns
Instructions
- Prepare the tare sauce by combining soy sauce, dark brown sugar, apple juice vinegar, garlic cloves, scallions, ginger slices, and peppercorns in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer until thickened.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, panko bread crumbs, chopped scallions, egg, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and thread them onto skewers.
- Grill the meatballs on medium heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side until browned. Brush with tare sauce and grill for an additional 30 seconds.
- Serve warm with extra tare sauce drizzled on top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 meatballs (85g)
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg