Anyone looking for a fun new appetizer (or even main course!) for the big game this week?
These saucy sesame meatballs are some of my favorites!!!
I first made them a few months ago when I was experimenting with multiple meatball recipes to serve for a fundraiser. And when my friends graciously “helped me out” with some taste testing, these little guys were the clear winner! My friend’s 1-yr-old son was even crazy about them as well. ;)
Definitely easy, quick, and bursting with yummy flavor. And everyone commented on how they’re a nice twist from traditional marinara meatballs. Give them a try!
Saucy Sesame Meatballs
You will love this delicious saucy sesame meatballs recipe! It’s so flavorful, saucy, and perfect for game day or as an appetizer for special occasions.
Ingredients
Meatball Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. ground pork or ground beef
- 2 tsp. sesame oil
- 1 cup Panko or breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
- 2 eggs
- 3 tsp. minced garlic
- 1/2 cup thinly-sliced green onions
- optional garnish: toasted sesame seeds, sliced scallions
Sesame Sauce Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tsp. sesame oil
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400.
- In a large bowl, mix together meatball ingredients until well-combined. Shape into balls (I made mine about 1.5 inches, which yielded about 35 meatballs, but 1 inch is probably standard), and place on a greased baking sheet or in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until meatballs are golden on the outside and no longer pink on the inside.
- While the meatballs are baking, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients until blended. Once meatballs have finished cooking, you can either dip each meatball individually (using a toothpick) in the sauce mixture. Or you can pour the sauce over the meatballs and gently stir them until covered.
- Serve warm, and sprinkle with additional garnish if desired. (I served mine on these cocktail forks.)
Notes
You can also keep these warm (after cooking) in the crockpot on a low setting!
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
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I have made this recipe countless times for my family, and they never tire of it. It was an instant family favorite! I have also shared it with numerous people as both a dinner recipe and an appetizer recipe. I have yet to find an indifferent taste bud. The recipe is a keeper!
Thanks for sharing, Colleen, we’re so happy you and your family enjoy these!
Ok so i made this tonight!!
Complete with potstickers and a sauteed asian slaw.
Not only did my house smell amazing my belly was full also. Very full because i went back for more !
Husband enjoyed also and will be envied (or bullied)lol when he heats it up at work tomorrow .
Best part ..these are leftovers sure to be eaten up!!
Thanks for recipe and inspiration :)
Thank you for sharing, Tracy, we’re so happy you and your husband enjoyed these! :)
Hi can i make this with mince chicken
Hi Radhika! That’s a good question. We haven’t tried these with ground chicken, but we think that should probably work okay. We hope you enjoy these!
Hi! Can I use cooked meatballs from Costco, make the sauce, and combine the two?
Yes, we think that’s fine — we hope you enjoy!
Hi !
Great sounding recipe am going to try them tonight. Was wondering if this sauce ends up really liquidy? Was thinking of adding a slurry to thicken it. Do you think that’s unnecessary?
Hi Savannah! We don’t think it’s too liquidy but if do, definitely feel free to add a slurry to it if you want! :)
These were not our favorite. Sauce was too strong and salty. The actual meatball was good.
We’re sorry you didn’t care for the sauce, Joanna!
Try a different soy sauce if you felt it was too salty. I use a Chinese brand, not Kikkoman. I felt the rice vinegar was too strong, so I added extra sesame oil and it fixed the problem. I made them today as part of our football munchie menu as we watch UGA play UMass. Go Dawgs!!
These look delicious. Do you use fresh minced garlic for both the meatballs and sauce, or dried?
Thank you, Brenda — we hope you enjoy! We use fresh minced garlic for both.
I made these last night for a Halloween party and they were a hit and they were all gobbled up !!! This recipe is a keeper Thank you
Thanks for giving them a try, Pamela — we’re so glad to hear they were a hit! :)
I tried these tonight….and they are awesome. My son, who doesn’t really care for Asian flavors very much, loved it.
Great find…and so easy.
Thanks for sharing Jay — we’re happy you and your son enjoyed these!
am a fifth former living in Jamaica, currently attending Wolmers Girls.I am doing my food and nutrition sba and I would like to know if the person who made these meat balls have any other recipes for fried meat balls. thank you
Hi Shanese! Good for you, that is very cool! Ali does have one other meatball recipe: We hope you enjoy! :)