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Sticky Mongolian Meatballs

Sticky Mongolian Meatballs

Sticky Mongolian Meatballs offer a delicious blend of sweet and savory flavors wrapped in a rich, sticky soy-based glaze. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy-to-make recipe features tender ground beef meatballs coated in a perfect balance of garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and sesame oil, making it ideal for busy weeknights or crowd-pleasing appetizers.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Mixture

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Sticky Mongolian Sauce

  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water

Garnish

  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
  • Optional: chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic and ginger, salt, and pepper. Mix gently just until everything comes together to ensure tender meatballs that won’t turn dense.
  2. Form and Cook Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small, even-sized meatballs about 1 inch in diameter. Heat a skillet over medium heat with a splash of oil and cook the meatballs until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Make the Sticky Mongolian Sauce: While the meatballs cook, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and the cornstarch slurry. Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring to a gentle boil.
  4. Coat and Glaze: Add the meatballs back to the skillet and toss them gently in the simmering sauce. Turn frequently until the sauce thickens into a glossy, sticky glaze that clings beautifully to every meatball.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top for a fresh crunch and nutty flavor. Serve immediately while warm and saucy.

Notes

  • Make sure meatballs are uniform in size for even cooking.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan to achieve a nice golden crust.
  • Use freshly minced garlic and ginger for the best flavor.
  • Toast sesame seeds lightly before garnishing to deepen nuttiness.
  • Let meatballs rest a few minutes after cooking to soak up the sauce fully.

Nutrition

Keywords: Sticky Mongolian Meatballs, quick dinner, Asian meatballs, sticky glaze, ground beef meatballs, sweet and savory, easy meatball recipe