Name: Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatballs) Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 1/2 cup mirin; 1/2 cup soy sauce; 1/4 cup sake; 1/4 cup dark brown sugar; 1 tablespoon sherry 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; 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

Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatballs) Recipe

Lightly seasoned chicken meatballs are threaded onto skewers, grilled, and finished with a sweet and salty tare sauce.

1 hr 30 min total 15 min prep 1 hr 10 min cook 4 532 cal

Instructions

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1 For the Tare Sauce: Combine mirin, soy sauce, sake, brown sugar, sherry vinegar, garlic, scallions, ginger slices, and peppercorns in a medium saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer, whisk to combine, and cook until mixture is thick and syrupy, about 45 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Set aside or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
2 For the Meatballs: Using hands, mix together chicken, bread crumbs, scallions, egg, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper until thoroughly combined. Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs and thread onto skewers.
3 Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread coals evenly over entire surface of charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil grilling grate. Careful transfer skewers to grill, if necessary supporting meatballs from bottom to prevent them from falling off skewers. Grill until first side is well browned, about 3-4 minutes. Using tongs, rotate meatballs and cook until well browned on second side, about 2-3 minutes. Repeat for remaining two sides.
4 Brush tare sauce all over meatballs and allow to cook for 15-30 seconds longer. Transfer skewers to a plate or serving dish, brush lightly with sauce again and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.