These Sticky Mongolian Beef Meatballs are the ultimate weeknight dinner. Tender and juicy meatballs are baked alongside crisp-tender broccoli for an effortless meal. The thick, glossy sauce is sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy, making every bite absolutely irresistible. Serve it all over rice for a complete, satisfying dish. This recipe offers a perfect balance of flavor and simplicity, making it ideal for busy nights or entertaining guests. With minimal prep and easy cleanup, you’ll have a wholesome, restaurant-quality meal ready in just 30 minutes. Pair it with a glass of Riesling or Zinfandel for a delightful dining experience at home.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs and Broccoli:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 4 green onions, finely chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, grated (or 2 Tbsp. ginger paste)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sauce:
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons ginger, minced
- ⅔ cup water
- 1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch (whisked with ½ cup water)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, green onions, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into tablespoon-sized meatballs and arrange on one side of the baking sheet.
- On the other side, spread the broccoli florets. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, until meatballs are fully cooked and broccoli is tender.
- While the meatballs bake, prepare the sauce. In a skillet over medium-high heat, add the vegetable oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, water, rice wine vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Stir and bring to a simmer.
- Whisk together cornstarch with ½ cup water and add to the sauce. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Remove meatballs from the oven and add them to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat evenly.
- Serve the meatballs and sauce over rice, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, with broccoli on the side.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 691 kcal
Servings: 6 servings
Sticky Mongolian Beef Meatballs: A Flavorful and Effortless Dish
Sticky Mongolian Beef Meatballs are a delightful fusion of bold Asian-inspired flavors and comforting, home-cooked goodness. This dish is the perfect solution for busy weeknight dinners, quick meal prep, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer at a party. Packed with the savory, sweet, and tangy notes of a classic Mongolian sauce, these meatballs offer a harmonious balance of flavors that appeal to a wide range of palates.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With minimal preparation and ingredients commonly found in your pantry, you can create a dish that rivals restaurant-quality meals. The meatballs are baked to perfection, saving you the hassle of frying while reducing cleanup time. Paired with roasted broccoli, this recipe not only delivers a protein-packed main course but also sneaks in a serving of vegetables, making it both wholesome and convenient.
A Culinary Twist on a Classic
Inspired by the iconic Mongolian beef stir-fry, this recipe takes a creative approach by swapping out strips of beef for tender meatballs. This change not only makes the dish more versatile but also enhances its appeal for families and gatherings. Meatballs are a universally loved comfort food, and when coated in a glossy Mongolian sauce, they become irresistible.
The sauce is the star of this dish. A combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and a hint of red pepper flakes creates a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. The addition of rice wine vinegar adds a tangy depth, while cornstarch thickens the sauce to a luscious consistency that clings to every bite. This sauce is not just delicious but also highly adaptable, making it a valuable addition to your culinary repertoire.
Versatility at Its Best
One of the standout features of this recipe is its adaptability. While ground beef is the default choice for the meatballs, you can easily substitute it with ground turkey, chicken, or pork to suit your preferences or dietary needs. For a vegetarian twist, consider using plant-based meat alternatives or lentil-based meatballs.
The roasted broccoli served alongside the meatballs is a perfect accompaniment, offering a crisp texture and a mildly sweet flavor that complements the richness of the sauce. However, the possibilities for pairings are endless. You can serve these meatballs over steamed rice, noodles, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. They also work wonderfully as a standalone appetizer, served with toothpicks or skewers for dipping into the sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: With a total cook time of just 30 minutes, this dish is ideal for busy schedules.
- Minimal Cleanup: Baking the meatballs and broccoli on a single sheet pan saves time and effort in the kitchen.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The universally loved flavors make it a hit with both kids and adults.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to accommodate dietary preferences or available ingredients.
- Nutritious: With its protein-packed meatballs and fiber-rich broccoli, this dish is both delicious and wholesome.
Tips for Perfect Mongolian Meatballs
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the meatball ingredients, mix gently to avoid a dense texture.
- Uniform Size: Use a cookie scoop or your hands to shape the meatballs evenly, ensuring they cook at the same rate.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: The sauce contains soy sauce as its base, so opt for a low-sodium version to prevent it from becoming too salty.
- Broccoli Alternatives: If broccoli isn’t your favorite, swap it out for green beans, snap peas, or even asparagus.
Pairing Suggestions
The bold flavors of Mongolian Beef Meatballs pair wonderfully with a variety of sides. Traditional steamed jasmine rice or fluffy basmati rice serves as a neutral base, absorbing the delicious sauce. For a more adventurous twist, try fried rice with bacon or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
For beverages, a fruity red wine like Zinfandel or Grenache complements the rich flavors, while a crisp white Riesling balances the dish’s sweetness and spiciness. For a non-alcoholic choice, iced green tea or a citrus-infused sparkling water works beautifully.
Meal Prep and Storage
This dish is perfect for meal prep enthusiasts. The meatballs can be made ahead of time and frozen either raw or cooked. When ready to use, simply bake or reheat them, and whip up a fresh batch of sauce. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors often deepen after a day, making it a great option for leftovers.
Conclusion:
Sticky Mongolian Beef Meatballs are more than just a meal; they’re an experience. The rich, glossy sauce, tender meatballs, and perfectly roasted broccoli combine to create a dish that is as satisfying as it is versatile. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner, hosting friends, or meal prepping for the week ahead, this recipe delivers on all fronts.
By bringing together the comforting familiarity of meatballs with the bold, vibrant flavors of Mongolian cuisine, this dish is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Pair it with your favorite sides, adapt it to your taste, and savor the delicious harmony of flavors and textures in every bite.
