Sweet and Spicy Meatballs | Asian Inspired Flavors

This is a delicious meatball recipe that is also extremely easy. The Asian inspired flavors of this dish are comforting but also insane.

The meatballs are created by adding an array of spices and herbs in the ground meat of your choice. Afterwards, they are baked to create a juicy meatball with a nice crispy exterior. The sauce is achieved by mixing honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, hot chili paste, dried Thai chilies, minced garlic, vinegar, and sesame oil into a heated sauté pan. It cooks up into a beautiful, delicious sauce. Finally, the meatballs are covered in the sweet and spicy sauce that knocks you out but tucks you in bed all at the same time. Ha! The sweet and spicy flavors are perfectly balanced and will amaze you.

If you like spice as much as I do, I’m certain you will enjoy this dish. It is so savory and mouthwatering! Give it a try and let me know how it works out for you!

Sweet and Spicy Meatballs

Yield: about 20 to 22 meatballs (2 tbsp scoops)

Meatballs

1lb ground meat (your choice, I used chicken)

1 egg

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp sesame oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

3 tbsps cilantro leaves, chopped

1/2 tbsp black pepper

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp salt

Sauce

1/4 cup + 2 tbsps honey

2 tbsps brown sugar

3 to 5 dried Thai chilies

2 tbsps chili sauce

3 tbsps soy sauce

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsps sesame oil

2 tsps apple cider vinegar or rice wine vinegar

Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray a large sheet pan with cooking spray or cover it in parchment paper.

Add all meatball ingredients to a bowl and mix thoroughly by hand. Spoon out the meat mixture, about two tbsps, and roll into even sized balls. Place the meatballs, separated, on the sheet pan. Add the sheet pan, with your newly formed meatballs on it, in the preheated oven. Allow them to bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

In a sauté pan, add the honey, brown sugar, dried Thai chili’s, chili sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, sesame oil, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to mix thoroughly. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat to medium low and continue to cook for about 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Add the meatballs to the sauté pan that holds your sauce. Coat the meatballs thoroughly and evenly with the sauce. Serve while hot.