Description
Juicy meatballs coated in a sweet and spicy sauce, perfect as an appetizer or over rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or half beef, half pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for pan-frying)
- Sweet & Spicy Sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (slurry)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until just combined; avoid overworking.
- Shape into 1-inch meatballs and place on a plate.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through (about 10–12 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, combine honey, soy sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens, about 1–2 minutes.
- Add the meatballs back in and toss to coat thoroughly in the sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds. Great over rice, noodles, or alone as an appetizer.
Notes
- Mix ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Adjust the heat by reducing or increasing sriracha and red pepper flakes.
- Make ahead: bake meatballs at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes, cool, then freeze. Reheat in sauce when ready.
- Try adding grated lime zest or juice to the sauce for extra brightness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 meatballs
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg