Description
Firecracker Meatballs are tender, spicy meatballs coated in a flavorful fiery sauce, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their meal. Ready in just 40 minutes, this Asian-inspired dish makes for a great weeknight dinner served over rice with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 green onion whites, minced (save the green parts for serving)
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Firecracker Sauce:
- 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2/3 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
For Serving:
- Prepared rice
- Sliced green onions (green parts saved from meatballs)
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425ºF (220ºC). Line a baking sheet with foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, minced green onion whites, minced ginger, soy sauce, sriracha, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Gently mix together, ideally with clean hands, being careful not to overmix to avoid tough meatballs.
- Form Meatballs: Using about 1 1/2 tablespoons of mixture per meatball, form into balls. A spring-loaded scoop can help portion, then roll gently with lightly wet hands. Place the formed meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs until browned and cooked through, about 15-18 minutes. Turn them occasionally for even cooking.
- Prepare Firecracker Sauce: While the meatballs bake, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha in a bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Coat Meatballs: When meatballs are done, let them rest for a couple of minutes. Transfer them to a large bowl and add half of the firecracker sauce. Gently stir to coat the meatballs evenly with the sauce.
- Serve: Serve meatballs over prepared rice, garnish with sliced green onion greens and toasted sesame seeds. Pass the remaining firecracker sauce on the side for extra topping.
Notes
- Nutrition information is an estimate and does not include rice or toppings.
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
- Use lightly wet hands to shape the meatballs easily.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha if you prefer less or more heat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian
