Korean-Inspired Meatloaf

Our Korean meatloaf is packed with bold flavors inspired by Korean cuisine. A blend of gochujang, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger balances savory, heat, and a subtle sweetness in every bite. Topped off with a lively gochujang glaze, it’s a spectacular twist on the everyday meatloaf.

A combination of ground beef,  ground pork, and panko crumbs ensures the meatloaf is moist, soft, and flavorful, with an egg added to hold it all together. It’s a comforting meatloaf with a delicious flavor twist.

The Korean flavors in the meatloaf come from soy sauce, sesame oil, and one of our favorite condiments: gochujang. And the sweet and spicy gochujang glaze finishes the loaf perfectly.

What You’ll Like About This Recipe

• A fresh twist on classic meatloaf. This version keeps the comfort-food appeal of a traditional meatloaf but adds a Korean flavor profile that makes it more vibrant. The gochujang, sesame oil, and ginger balance heat, savoriness, and aromatic warmth in a way that feels modern and exciting.
• Moist, tender texture every time. The beef–pork blend, combined with soaked panko breadcrumbs, gives the loaf a soft, even texture that holds together without becoming dense. The grated carrot adds moisture while disappearing seamlessly into the mixture.
• A glaze you’ll want to use on everything. The sticky gochujang glaze is sweet, spicy, and savory with just enough acidity to cut through the richness of the meat. It caramelizes in the oven, creating a glossy, flavorful coating that elevates the entire dish.
• Easy to customize for spice level or dietary needs. You can adjust the gochujang, use ground turkey, or incorporate vegetables without compromising texture. The recipe is highly flexible, making it easy to tailor to your preferences.
• Great for leftovers. Slices hold their shape beautifully and are perfect for sandwiches, rice bowls, or even pan-frying for added crispness. The flavors deepen by the next day, making it a fantastic make-ahead option as well.

Ingredient Notes

• Gochujang – The key ingredient for heat and depth. Mild, medium, and hot varieties are available, so choose based on preference. Brands like Chung Jung One or CJ Haechandle are widely available.
• Ground beef and pork – The combination creates a balanced texture: beef adds structure, while pork provides fat and moisture. You can substitute one pound with ground turkey if needed.
• Panko breadcrumbs – These absorb moisture without becoming heavy. Traditional breadcrumbs may make the loaf denser.
• Sesame oil – Adds nutty aroma and warmth. A little goes a long way; toasted sesame oil has the most flavor.
• Ginger and garlic – Fresh ingredients make a noticeable difference here. Grating or mashing them releases more flavor and helps them incorporate evenly.

Steps to Make Korean Meatloaf

1. Prepare the loaf pan and mix the panko with milk to soften it. This step ensures the crumb mixture hydrates fully before combining with the meat, which prevents dry or crumbly texture.
2. Add the meat, vegetables, seasonings, and sauces to the softened panko mixture. Mix just until everything is evenly combined; overmixing compresses the proteins and leads to a dense loaf.
3. Shape the meatloaf gently in the pan, pressing lightly so it holds its form without being packed too tightly. This allows even cooking and helps the loaf stay tender.
4. Bake until the meatloaf is nearly done, then remove excess drippings and brush on the glaze. The second bake helps the glaze thicken and caramelize into a sticky, flavorful coating.
5. Rest the loaf before slicing to help the juices settle. Lifting it from the pan with the foil makes it easy to transfer cleanly to a board for serving.

Pro Tips

• Mix gently to prevent a dense or tough texture.
• Rest the meatloaf before slicing to help it hold together cleanly.
• Skim excess liquid from the pan to help the glaze adhere properly.
• Taste a small cooked portion of the mixture if you want to adjust seasoning in advance.
• Choose your gochujang heat level wisely; the glaze intensifies as it bakes.

Recipe Variations

• Turkey version. Replace the pork with ground turkey and add an extra tablespoon of milk to maintain moisture. The flavors blend beautifully with lighter meats.
• Vegetable-forward loaf. Add finely chopped mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers for added moisture and nutrition. Cook them briefly first to remove excess liquid.
• Extra-spicy version. Increase the gochujang in both the loaf and the glaze or add a spoonful of Korean chili flakes (gochugaru).
• Sweet-and-spicy glaze. Add a tablespoon of apricot preserves or orange marmalade to the glaze for a fruitier finish.
• Rice bowl leftovers. Slice the cold loaf and serve it over rice with kimchi, cucumbers, and sesame seeds for a next-day meal.

What to Serve With a Korean Meatloaf

• Rice: Choose a simple side of steamed rice or try our Instant Pot coconut brown rice.
• Roasted Vegetables: Add a side of roasted potatoes or our roasted root vegetables to your menu.
• Salad: This cucumber salad is an excellent choice, or you could make an Asian-style slaw with the meatloaf.
• Noodles: Try sesame noodles or a tasty ramen noodle dish.

Leftover Meatloaf Ideas

• Sandwiches: Make a gochujang mayonnaise with 1/4 cup of mayonnaise and a teaspoon or two of gochujang (to taste). Add a spoonful of kimchi to the sandwich for a spectacular lunch or dinner.
• Tacos: Crumble meatloaf and serve it in soft corn tortillas with kimchi, cilantro, a drizzle of lime juice, and spicy mayo.

How to Store

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. The flavors deepen as it chills, making it excellent for sandwiches or rice bowls.
• Freeze slices individually or freeze the entire loaf tightly wrapped. It keeps well for up to 3 months and thaws evenly in the refrigerator.
• Reheat slices in a low oven or quick microwave burst to restore moisture and warmth without overcooking. A drizzle of glaze or a touch of sesame oil can brighten the flavor.

Korean Meatloaf

Diana Rattray

Our Korean-inspired meatloaf is packed with bold flavors, including spicy gochujang, soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil.

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Servings 6 to 8 servings

Calories 398

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Comfort Food, Ground Beef, Meatloaf

Cuisine Korean

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Other TimeResting Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  

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For the Meatloaf

• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, grated or minced and mashed to a paste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger, grated
• 1 small carrot, grated
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon gochujang, Korean chili paste
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Gochujang Glaze

• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon honey, or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

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• Preheat the oven to 375 F and line a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with foil. Spray with cooking spray.
  
• Add the panko crumbs and milk to a large mixing bowl and let stand for 5 minutes. Add the remaining meatloaf ingredients to the bowl and mix gently until thoroughly combined. Avoid overmixing.
  
• Gently pack the meat mixture in the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Carefully drain off the excess liquids.
  
• Combine the glaze ingredients in a small bowl, brush over the meatloaf, and return it to the oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.
  
• Cool the meatloaf on a rack for 10 minutes.
  
• Grasp the ends of the foil and remove the meatloaf from the pan. Place the loaf on a tray or cutting board and slice as desired.
  
• Serve and enjoy!
  

Nutrition

Calories: 398kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 32gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 752mgPotassium: 637mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1541IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 3mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword asian flavors, inspired, korean meatloaf

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