Japanese Yakitori Meatball Skewers (Print Version)

Juicy chicken meatballs glazed with yakitori sauce and grilled on skewers, ideal for sharing with family or friends.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meatball Mixture

01 - 1.1 pounds ground chicken (thigh preferred)
02 - 2 green onions, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
05 - 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
08 - 1 tablespoon sake
09 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Yakitori Glaze

12 - 1/3 cup soy sauce
13 - 1/4 cup mirin
14 - 2 tablespoons sake
15 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
16 - 1 tablespoon honey

→ For Serving

17 - Bamboo or metal skewers, soaked if bamboo
18 - Sliced green onions, optional
19 - Toasted sesame seeds, optional

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, and honey in a small saucepan. Simmer gently over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens slightly. Cool before use.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, chopped green onions, garlic, grated ginger, panko breadcrumbs, egg, soy sauce, sake, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper. Gently mix until just incorporated; avoid overworking the mixture.
03 - With lightly moistened hands, form the mixture into 20 to 24 small meatballs, each about 1.5 tablespoons in size.
04 - Slide 3 or 4 meatballs onto each skewer, pressing gently to secure them along the length.
05 - Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
06 - Place skewers on the grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, turning to ensure even browning.
07 - Brush each skewer generously with yakitori sauce, then grill 1 to 2 minutes longer, turning and brushing with more sauce until the meatballs are glazed and thoroughly cooked.
08 - Transfer hot skewers to a serving platter and garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses everyday pantry items found at most grocery stores
  • Ready in under 45 minutes from start to finish
  • Crowd-pleasing with its sweet-savory glaze
  • Kid-friendly and easy to customize
  • Both a satisfying appetizer and a main course
02 -
  • High in protein for a satisfying appetizer or main
  • Dairy-free and easy to adapt for gluten-free diets
  • Sauce is versatile and can be used as a dip or marinade
03 -
  • Always soak bamboo skewers for thirty minutes so they do not burn on the grill
  • Do not overmix the meatball mixture or they will become tough (mix just until combined)
  • For the glossy finish give the skewers one final brush of sauce while still hot right before serving
  • If you have time make the sauce a day ahead for a richer taste the flavors deepen overnight and make the glaze extra fragrant

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