Description

Sticky Honey Garlic Meatballs are a savory and sweet delight, combining tender ground beef meatballs with a sticky glaze of honey, soy, and garlic. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a flavorful main dish, these meatballs bring a perfect balance of umami, sweetness, and a hint of tanginess from rice vinegar. With a quick 30-minute prep and cook time, they fit effortlessly into weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/3 cup onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon green onions, finely chopped (plus more for garnish)
1 egg
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Sticky Honey Garlic Sauce

1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons liquid honey
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch (or flour)
2 tablespoons water
Sesame seeds (for garnish)

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Instructions

Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, green onions, egg, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Form meatballs: Shape the mixture into approximately 15 evenly sized meatballs, about one inch in diameter each, and set them aside on a plate.
Cook the meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the sticky sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, honey, and minced garlic to create the sauce mixture.
Make slurry for thickening: In a separate small bowl, mix cornstarch (or flour) with water until smooth. Set aside.
Combine sauce and thicken: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, then slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 2-3 minutes.
Coat meatballs with sauce: Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet and gently toss to coat them thoroughly with the sticky honey garlic sauce. Heat through for an additional 2 minutes to meld flavors.
Garnish and serve: Transfer meatballs to a serving dish. Sprinkle with additional chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish. Serve hot as an appetizer or with rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

Sticky honey garlic meatballs are a delicious and flavorful 30-minute meal ideal for busy weeknights.
Using ground beef with a bit of fat (around 80/20) will ensure juicy meatballs.
For a gluten-free option, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs and use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet to avoid drying out the meatballs and to refresh the sticky sauce.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 meatball
Calories: 78
Sugar: 4.4 g
Sodium: 323 mg
Fat: 1.4 g
Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0.8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Fiber: 0.3 g
Protein: 8 g
Cholesterol: 30.5 mg