Life Got Busy, But Dinner Still Has to Happen
Easy Asian Meatballs Ready in 30 Minutes or Less
It’s been a while, friends.
Between school, dance practices, performances, and the absolute whirlwind that is "Maycember," life has been moving at full speed around here. If you've ever looked at your calendar in May and wondered how it's somehow busier than December, then you know exactly what I mean.
Needless to say, recipe testing and blog writing took a back seat for a bit. But I'm finally back in the kitchen and excited to share one of our favorite weeknight dinners with you!
This recipe is especially AG approved. In fact, if she had her way, these Asian Meatballs would probably be on the menu every single night. They're quick, flavorful, family-friendly, and come together in 30 minutes or less. Pair them with rice and a simple veggie, and dinner is done.
Asian Meatballs
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
1 lb ground beef or turkey
¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
½ tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp soy sauce (I use low-sodium)
1 green onion, chopped (both white and green parts)
Minced garlic, measured with your heart
For the Sauce
¼ cup hoisin sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce (I use low-sodium)
1 tbsp water
1 tsp sesame oil
Optional for Serving
Sliced green onions
Sesame seeds
Sriracha
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, panko breadcrumbs, egg, sesame oil, soy sauce, green onion, and garlic. Mix until everything is evenly combined.
Roll the mixture into meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. You should get about 12–15 meatballs depending on size.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until fully cooked through. You can flip them halfway through cooking if you'd like, but it's not necessary.
While the meatballs are baking, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, water, and sesame oil in a small bowl.
Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the top and gently toss until every meatball is coated in that delicious sweet and savory glaze.
Serve over rice with your favorite vegetable. We love them with steamed broccoli, but green beans, snap peas, or even a simple side salad work great too.
Top with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of sriracha if you like a little heat.
A Few Quick Tips
Ground turkey works just as well as ground beef.
Double the batch and freeze half for an easy future dinner.
These make great meal-prep lunches throughout the week.
For extra crispy edges, broil the meatballs for the last 2–3 minutes of cooking.
If your week has been as chaotic as ours lately, this recipe is proof that a homemade dinner doesn't have to be complicated. Simple ingredients, minimal prep, and happy bellies at the end of the day. That's a win in my book.
