Sweet Hoisin Meatballs
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These sweet and sticky hoisin meatballs make a great appetizer for a party. Or you can easily have them over rice or noodles as a main dish. The sweet, tangy combo is loved by one and all!
Give these Vietnamese meatballs and pineapple meatballs a try, too!
Hoisin glazed meatballs are smothered in a sauce that is truly hard to resist. The meatballs are tender, hold together well, and have tons of flavor. For these hoisin meatballs, almond flour is used to make them tender and soft. Almond flour is really just ground-up almonds, so it adds a subtle tasty flavor to the meatballs.
How to make hoisin meatballs
Two of the best parts about these easy-to-make hoisin meatballs, is that you can use any combination of meats that you like or have on hand (we've used pork and beef) and you can make this recipe ahead of time if you're on the meal prep train. Here's how to make them:
- Prep the meatballs: Preheat your oven and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the ingredients for the meatballs in a large bowl and mix them together well.
- Form the meatballs: Use a large cookie scoop to portion out the meatballs, or use your hands and aim for uniformity in size. Then roll them into balls and place them on the prepared baking tray.
- Bake: Bake the meatballs in the oven for 18-24 minutes, or until they have browned and are cooked through.
- Prepare the glaze ingredients: Combine the hoisin glaze ingredients in a medium-sized pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes, then remove it from the heat.
- Sauce the meatballs: When the meatballs are cooked, put them into a large mixing bowl, and pour the sauce over them. Stir until they're well-coated.
- Garnish & serve: Serve the meatballs topped with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and some sliced green onions. Yum!
What to serve with hoisin meatballs
Pull out your toothpicks and serve these as an appy, eat them as a protein-packed snack, or use them to compliment a perfect weeknight family meal ā no matter what, you'll have an instant hit on your hands!
Here are some ideas of what to serve with hoisin meatballs:
If serving as an appy:
- Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
- Bang Bang Cauliflower
- Edamame Hummus with chips, veggies or pita
If serving as part of a complete meal:
- Roasted Broccoli or steamed broccoli are nice on the side
- Ginger Rice or Coconut Rice
- Soy Ginger Noodles
Frequently Asked Questions
What meat can I use for hoisin meatballs?
This hoisin sauce meatball recipe is quite versatile. The recipe calls for ground pork and ground beef, although you can do all ground beef, ground turkey, or make chicken meatballs.
What does hoisin sauce taste like?
Hoisin sauce is sweet, salty, and tangy. It's made from fermented soybean paste and has a similar consistency to BBQ sauce.
How do I make hoisin meatballs ahead of time?
You can prepare and bake the meatballs ahead of time, as well as prepare the sauce. Store them separately until you're ready to serve.
Are hoisin meatballs gluten-free?
If you try to avoid gluten, you'll probably already know that most store-bought hoisin sauces do contain wheat. If this is something you strictly avoid, then you can always make your own wheat-free hoisin sauce or buy a store-bought gluten-free hoisin sauce.
More meatball recipes
Hoisin Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
- 2 tablespoons ginger (finely minced)
- 6 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup almond flour (can sub quick oats or breadcrumbs)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the ingredients for the meatballs in a large bowl and mix them together well.1 lb ground pork, 1 lb ground beef, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons ginger, 6 cloves garlic, 2 large eggs, 1 cup almond flour
- Use a large cookie scoop to portion out the meatballs then roll them into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs in the oven for 18-24 minutes, or until they have browned and are cooked through. If you have an instant-read meat thermometer, it should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. Combine the sauce ingredients in a medium-sized pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat.1 cup hoisin sauce, Ā½ cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons ginger, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- When the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the oven, put them into a large mixing bowl, and pour the sauce over top. Gently stir them around until they are coated.
- Serve the meatballs topped with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and some sliced green onions.Sesame seeds and green onions
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our meatball recipes!
