Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Ginger Sesame Meatballs

If you’re looking for an easy, flavor-packed dinner that’s high in protein, check out these Sweet & Spicy Ginger Sesame Meatballs. They’re juicy, savory, a little spicy and finished with a sweet-and-sticky glaze that takes them over the top.

Not only is this recipe quick and easy to prepare, but it’s also a balanced, high-protein meal idea that pairs perfectly with rice, noodles or even lettuce wraps. Whether you’re meal prepping or whipping up something quick for dinner, these meatballs are a guaranteed hit.

How to serve these meatballs

We love turning this dish into a complete meal by serving it with:

• Steamed jasmine or brown rice.
• Noodles.
• Asian-inspired slaw.
• Lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.

They’re also delicious served cold the next day for lunch or tossed in a rice bowl with avocado, cucumbers and carrots.

Easy to make, big on flavor and versatile enough to enjoy in so many ways – this is a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

Sweet & Spicy Ginger Sesame Meatballs

Click here for a printable recipe.

Serves: 12

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 4 slices bacon, finely chopped
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons grated ginger
• 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup finely chopped onion
• 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• ¼ cup chopped green onion
• 2-3 tablespoons oil

For the sweet & spicy sauce:

• ½ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

 Instructions

• Add all of the ingredients for the Sweet & Spicy Sauce to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside until ready to use.
• In a bowl, combine all meatball ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
• Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form equal-sized meatballs out of the meatball mixture.
• Heat two to three tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Allow the oil to heat up for a few minutes, until it sizzles.
• Carefully place the meatballs on the surface of the hot skillet in a single layer and sear for 2 minutes. Flip meatballs to the other side and brown for another 2 minutes.
• Pour half of the sauce into the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and allow the meatballs to continue cooking, flipping once or twice, until they reach your desired level of doneness, about 2-3 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
• Transfer the meatballs to a serving platter and drizzle the remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy.
• To bake in the oven: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with foil and coat with oil. Place the meatballs on the lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake meatballs for 18 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through and brushing with half of the sauce, or until they are completely cooked through. Allow meatballs to rest for 5 minutes before transferring to a serving platter and drizzling the remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy.

Recipe notes

Nutrition information (1 meatball): calories 166, carbohydrates 2 grams, protein 9 grams, fat 12.5 grams, saturated fat 3.9 grams, fiber 0.2 grams, sugar 0.3 grams, sodium 55 milligrams.

Andrea Mathis is a registered dietitian and owner of Beautiful Eats & Things. For more great recipes, visit beautifuleatsandthings.com.