Asian Pork Meatballs

Forget takeout and make your own Asian Pork Meatballs right at home. These tender and juicy meatballs are not only loaded with flavor, but they're fast and simple to make. While most people only think about pairing meatballs with spaghetti, this meatball recipe is sure to change their way of thinking.

There's just something about meatballs that I love. Maybe it's the texture and juiciness of them, or maybe it's the way that they're bite-sized perfection and fast and simple to eat. Walking through the kitchen and popping a meatball in my mouth is about the best way I can think of to enjoy a quick snack.

Typically, meatballs are paired with red pasta sauce and served over noodles - but not this recipe. It's seasoned perfectly for delicious flavor and stands out all on its own.

Grab chopsticks, or use a fork - and dig in. These meatballs won't last long, so make sure that you serve yourself up in the process of feeding everyone else, or you may not be left with any! They are great with Teriyaki Udon Noodles.

Speaking of tasty meatballs, be sure to check out my Smoked Meatloaf for another fun recipe and twist.

Ingredients

Ground pork - You can change up the type of ground pork as well and use mild or spicy for different flavors. 

Garlic powder - Don't confuse this with garlic salt. 

Ground ginger - Pairs really well with the added teriyaki sauce. 

Onion powder - An excellent addition with the garlic powder. 

Teriyaki sauce - This is the sauce that will be used to coat the cooked meatballs. 

Soy sauce - Most of the salt flavoring will come from the added soy sauce. You can also use low sodium soy sauce here as well. 

Panko bread crumbs - Helps to hold the ingredients together to form the meatballs. 

Brown sugar - Just a tad bit of sugar for sweetness. 

Apple cider vinegar - A simple flavor enhancer. You could use rice vinegar as well. 

How to make Asian Pork Meatballs

The instructions to make these meatballs are simple. The only equipment you need to have handy are a large bowl and measuring cups.

Step One: Combine meatball ingredients into a bowl and mix well. You may need to use your hands to ensure the spices are all incorporated thoroughly. 

Step Two: Form the meat mixture into 16 to 20 meatballs. Place them on a pre-heated hot grill and cook on high heat for about 15 minutes. Turn them every three or four minutes to sear all sides.

Expert Tip: Make meatballs using a medium sized cookie scoop to speed up the process.

Step Three: The meatballs are done when the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Remove them from the frill and place them in a bowl to rest for a few minutes.

Step Four: While the meatballs are resting, combine the glaze ingredients into a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for about five minutes or until it reduces by a third. If you bring it to a boil to reduce fast make sure to stir it constantly. It can burn.

Step Five: Pour the glaze over the meatballs and serve. Enjoy!

Variations

Use ground chicken - While these meatballs are amazing with pork, you can use ground chicken instead. Just make sure to cook the chicken all the way through and check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. You can also use ground turkey or ground beef to make these meatballs as well.

Add toppings - Fresh cilantro and sesame seeds are the perfect toppings. You can also add more soy sauce or pair it with your favorite dipping sauce as well.

Add sesame oil - You can also add a little bit of sesame oil to the mixture to enhance flavors.

Add salt - If you want to add a tad bit of kosher salt, you can. Just don't overdo it as the soy sauce adds quite a bit of sodium already.

Common Questions

Can you make these meatballs in the oven?

You can. You basically just follow the same process and recipe to get the juicy results. When you bake them, this is a great way to get rid of some of the fat content as well. I recommend using parchment paper for easy clean up.

I would recommend draining off the excess fat or having the meatballs sit on a paper towel to soak up the grease before serving this tasty appetizer.

Can I make Asian pork meatballs in a skillet?

Yup! You can cook in a frying pan if you prefer. Just make sure not to crowd them (you may need to cook them in two batches) and make sure the internal temperature hits 160.

Can you make these meatballs gluten-free?

You can easily turn these into gluten free meatballs. Just use gluten free panko crumbs or another binding agent that is gluten free, and make sure that the rest of your ingredients are gluten free as well.

Are these meatballs healthy?

This all just depends on what health factor you're going for. If you're looking for a quick snack that is low in carbohydrates, these protein bites are good for that.

They're also great for nutrition factors like adding more protein to your diet as well. Keep in mind that using pork will result in higher calories.

What side dish pairs well with meatballs?

You have options when it comes to serving! Add the meatballs over Blackstone fried rice, or serve with a simple side salad. This dish also pairs well with soups as well - and you can even add the meatballs into the soup, too.

Don't forget to top the meatballs with some red pepper flakes for added spice and heat! This is good to do for your own individual serving because not everyone likes heat.

Love this recipe? Try Egg Roll in a Bowl next!

 

Recipe