Asian Meatballs

Ingredients

Here's an overview of the ingredients you'll need to make these Asian meatballs. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Ground beef: I like to use lean ground beef in this recipe (85/15). I find that leaner than that tends to be too dry.

Cilantro: If you dislike cilantro, you can use parsley instead. Though it really does add a unique flavor to the meat.

Garlic and ginger: You can mince them yourself, which would be the best option. But it's also fine to use the stuff that comes in a jar.

Red pepper flakes: They don't make the meatballs very spicy. They merely add a hint of spice.

Soy sauce: I use reduced-sodium soy sauce in most of my recipes. If you need this recipe to be gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free alternative.

Sesame oil: Toasted sesame oil is very flavorful. If you'd rather avoid heating sesame oil, you can simply omit it.

Cornstarch: Just a little to thicken the sauce.

Honey: Only 1 tablespoon. The sauce is not very sweet, and the dish remains fairly low in carbs (about 7 grams per serving).

Hot sauce: Just 1 teaspoon, to add a hint of spice without overwhelming the dish.

The ingredients needed to make Asian meatballs.

Instructions

Making these Asian meatballs is easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

You start by mixing the meatball ingredients and shaping the mixture into 24 small meatballs.

Now, bake them for 10 minutes in a 400°F oven.

A photo collage showing steps 1-4 for making Asian meatballs.

While they bake, heat the sauce ingredients in a saucepan until they thicken. Turn the heat off as soon as the sauce thickens but leave it on the burner to keep it warm.

Using tongs or a slotted spoon, add the meatballs to the sauce and turn to coat.

A photo collage showing steps 5-8 for making Asian-style meatballs.

Expert tips

To ensure the meatballs are fluffy and tender, work the meat lightly - both when you mix the ingredients together and when you form the meatballs.

If you're out of fresh herbs, you can simply use dried spices. In the video below, I used what I had on hand, which was garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. So as you can see, even when I make my own recipes I tweak them according to what I have.

Frequently asked questions

Should I add eggs or breadcrumbs to the mixture?

There's actually no need for any fillers or binders in this recipe. The meatballs are great when made with just beef and seasonings.

Can I use extra-lean ground beef?

I don't recommend that. It's too dry. An 85/15 ratio is the leanest you should go.

Can I skip the sauce?

Yes, you can. The meatballs are very tasty even without sauce. However, they ARE considerably better with the sauce, so I do highly recommend that you make it.

Variations

You can use ground pork instead of ground beef. Ground chicken might also work, but if you opt for it, make sure to use ground chicken thighs and not ground chicken breast, which is too dry.

You can use chopped parsley instead of cilantro. Chopped scallions will also work (green parts only).

It's fine to use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. Try using ½ teaspoon. You can also add some onion powder if you'd like.

Serving suggestions

You can serve these tasty meatballs over rice, cauliflower rice, or spaghetti squash. They are also very good with shirataki noodles and with cauliflower fried rice.

When I serve them over spaghetti squash, I give the entire dish an Asian flavor by cooking a small spaghetti squash in the microwave, then sauteing the strands in a large skillet.

I add a little bit of avocado oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, a little black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic, 1 teaspoon ginger, and - off heat - 1 teaspoon of sesame oil.

Storing leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently, in the microwave on 50% power. They are also good cold! I love to snack on them.