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Weeknight • Pork

Weeknight Honey Garlic Meatballs

Quick homemade meatballs simmered in a sticky, sweet, and savory honey-garlic sauce.

Prep
15 min
Cook
25 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Weeknight Honey Garlic Meatballs

Dinner just got a whole lot more delicious and a lot less complicated! These Weeknight Honey Garlic Meatballs are a true crowd-pleaser, delivering tender, flavorful meatballs in an irresistibly sticky, sweet-and-savory sauce. They come together quickly, making them perfect for busy evenings, and you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again. Get ready for smiles all around the table!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground pork (or 1/2 pork, 1/2 beef)
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Honey Garlic Sauce

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)

For Serving

  • Cooked rice or noodles
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Sliced green onions, for garnish

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large bowl, gently combine ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon grated ginger (if using), and black pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

  2. Step 2

    Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about 20-24 meatballs).

  3. Step 3

    Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Remove meatballs from skillet and set aside.

  4. Step 4

    While meatballs cook, prepare the sauce: In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together chicken broth, honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, rice vinegar, cornstarch, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger (if using) until smooth.

  5. Step 5

    Pour the sauce mixture into the same skillet (no need to clean it). Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.

  6. Step 6

    Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet, tossing gently to coat them completely in the honey-garlic sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes more to heat through.

  7. Step 7

    Serve immediately over cooked rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Tips

  • To ensure tender meatballs, avoid overmixing the meat mixture; this can make them tough.
  • If you don't have fresh ginger, you can omit it or use 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger in the sauce.
  • The sauce can be made slightly ahead of time and warmed before adding cooked meatballs.

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