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Glazed Honey Garlic Meatballs with a tangy apple cider vinegar and toasted sesame oil sauce in a bowl.

Easy Glossy Honey Garlic Meatballs

Rebecca Blumer
These Honey Garlic Meatballs are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, featuring a sticky, sweet-and-savory glaze with a chef's secret twist of sesame oil and vinegar for a perfectly balanced finish.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 425 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Shallow baking pans
  • Baking racks
  • Large saucepan
  • Cookie Scoop

Ingredients
 

Meatballs:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup 2% milk
  • 1 cup dry bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 pounds ground beef

Honey Garlic Sauce:

  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce

Instructions
 

Mix and Shape

  • Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C) so it is fully hot when the pans go in, as this blast of heat helps set the outside of the meatballs quickly.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and milk until smooth. Stir in the dry bread crumbs, finely chopped onion, and salt until the mixture forms a thick, damp paste.
  • Crumble the ground beef into the bowl and mix by hand only until the ingredients are evenly distributed. Be careful not to overwork the meat.
  • Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls, rolling them lightly to ensure they are uniform in size but not compressed.

Bake for Juicy, Browned Meatballs

  • Place the meatballs on greased racks set in shallow baking pans, which allows the fat to drip away during cooking.
  • Bake uncovered at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes. The meatballs are ready when the centers are no longer pink and the outsides are lightly browned.

Build the Honey Garlic Glaze

  • While the meatballs are in the oven, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic until it is golden and fragrant.
  • Whisk in the ketchup, honey, and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.

Coat and Simmer

  • Drain any excess grease from the baked meatballs and transfer them directly into the simmering sauce.
  • Gently stir to coat the meatballs in the glaze and continue to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until the sauce is shiny and clings perfectly to the meat.

Notes

Pro Tip: Use a small cookie scoop to ensure all meatballs are exactly 1 inch. This guarantees they cook evenly in the oven.
Cooking Secret: For the best texture, mix the meatball base just until combined. Overworking the ground beef leads to tough, rubbery meatballs.
Flavor Variation: To give the sauce a spicy kick, add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes during the simmering stage.
Serving Suggestion: Serve these over fluffy jasmine rice as a main dish, or keep them warm in a slow cooker with toothpicks for an easy party appetizer.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 24gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 980mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 3.5mg
Keyword Easy Dinner, ground beef, Honey Garlic Meatballs, Party Food
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