How to Make the Perfect Honey Sriracha Glazed Meatballs
Asian American · Medium · 40 min · 4 servings
Tender baked meatballs coated in a sweet and spicy honey Sriracha glaze that caramelizes into a sticky irresistible finish. These work equally well as an appetizer or served over rice for a complete meal.
Why this recipe works
This Honey Sriracha Glazed Meatballs recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 40 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 460 calories with 28g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 9 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 pound ground pork or beef
- 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 0.33 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Meatball Mixture
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, panko, egg, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Mix until just combined and do not overwork the meat.
Step 2: Form and Bake
Roll the mixture into 1.5 inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned on the outside.
Step 3: Make the Glaze
While the meatballs bake, combine the honey, Sriracha, soy sauce, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly.
Step 4: Coat the Meatballs
Transfer the hot baked meatballs into a large bowl. Pour the warm glaze over the meatballs and toss gently until every meatball is fully coated in the sticky sauce.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Transfer the glazed meatballs to a serving platter and sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onion if desired. Serve immediately over steamed rice or as an appetizer with toothpicks.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- Sriracha sauce → sambal oelek for a chunkier less sweet heat
- ground pork → ground chicken or turkey for a lighter lower fat version
- panko breadcrumbs → regular plain breadcrumbs though the texture will be slightly denser
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Overmixing the meat mixture which compresses the proteins and results in dense chewy meatballs
- Making the meatballs too large which causes the outside to overbrown before the inside is fully cooked
- Adding the glaze while the meatballs are still on the baking sheet which causes the sugar to burn on the hot pan
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 460 calories, 28g protein, 38g carbs, 20g fat, 1g fiber.
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