Asian Pork Meatballs in sweet and savory sauce that is even better than take out. Make this recipe in under 30 minutes. A new and flavorful way to make your meatballs.
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This recipe for Asian Pork Meatballs is perfect for busy weeknights, as you need is 30 minutes to make this foolproof recipe. Additionally these pork meatballs are low in sugar and keto friendly as they have 1 net carb per serving.
For more information regarding ground pork, visit the USDA for more. And, if you’re looking for another fun twist on meatballs, give these Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs a try. They are incredibly flavorful.
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What We Love About This Ground Pork Meatball Recipe
- 30 Minute Meal: Have these Chinese meatballs ready and on the table for dinner in 30 minutes.
- Family Friendly: You family will love these ground pork meatball inspired pork meatballs with a sweet and savory sauce.
Ingredient Notes
- Fish Sauce: Fish sauce is going to give these meatballs that distinct asian flavor, you can find fish sauce in the ethic aisle of the grocery store, do note that oyster sauce is different than fish sauce and has a different flavor.
- Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum works as a stabilizer to ensure the meatballs bind together as this recipe does not use eggs which typically work as a binding agent in meatball recipes. You can also use cornstarch in place of xanthan gum.
Variations and Substitutions
- Frying Oil – You can use a neutral oil or use sesame oil for nuttier and earthier flavor.
- Teriyaki Sauce – If you have teriyaki sauce on hand, you use that instead of making your own sauce.
- Gluten-free- Make this recipe gluten free. Use ingredients like coconut aminos.
If you like Asian inspired recipes, give this Sweet and Sour Pork a try.
How to Make Chinese Meatballs
These are the basic steps for making Asian Pork Meatballs. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition information. Find more on Facebook, Instagram or my blog.
STEP 1: MAKE THE MEAT MIXTURE
In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the meatballs, except the oil. You can use a pair of rubber gloves and mix everything together with your hands. Next form ground pork meatballs into evenly sized balls.
STEP 2: COOK MEATBALLS
Bake the meatballs until they are cooked through.
STEP 3: MAKE THE SAUCE
In a small mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Make sure to reserve some of the sauce for dipping. Next, brush the remaining sauce over the meatballs before serving. Lastly garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.
Prep and Storage Tips
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
To make this recipe ahead of time, follow the steps as usual 1-2 days prior and store in airtight container.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store leftover Chinese meatballs in airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
You can freeze air fried meatballs in freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen meatballs overnight in the refrigerator or placed directly into the air fryer, simply increase the cook time.
HOW TO REHEAT THIS RECIPE
To reheat pork meatballs, you can heat in microwave for 1-2 minutes or until hot or in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
These Chinese meatballs are super simple to make, all you need to is combine ground pork along with the rest of the meatball ingredients, then cook in a skillet and make a sauce to brush on top.
If you trying to lower your sugar intake, you can easily substitute sugar free honey instead of regular honey.
This recipe can easily be doubled or halved, increase or decrease ingredients to fit your desired yield.
Serve ground pork meatballs with your white rice and stir fry veggies for a balance and tasty meal.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- Even Meatballs: To ensure all of your meatballs stay a consistent size when rolling them into balls, use a cookie scoop to do so.
- Air Fryer: Air Fry these Chinese meatballs by adding to the air fryer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer, cook at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
- Instant Pot: Make these Asian meatballs in the instant pot using the sauté setting.
- Ground Chicken: You can also make this recipe using ground turkey, ground beef or chicken in place of the ground pork. Or use a combination for more flavor.
- Sprinkle: Along with the green onion, try using fresh parsley or fresh cilantro or sea salt.
What to Serve with Asian Pork Meatballs
- Japanese Coleslaw
- Asian Corn on the Cob
- Easy Sesame Noodles
- Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
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Asian Pork Meatballs
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Chinese 5 spice powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon White pepper to taste
- vegetable oil for frying
For the sauce:
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 teaspoons honey
- ½ teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the meatballs, with the exception of the oil.
- Next form meatball mixture into evenly sized meatballs.
- Arrange meatballs on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F.
- In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the sauce.
- Reserve some of the sauce for dipping.
- Heat the remaining sauce in a skillet over medium heat. Place the baked meatballs in the warmed sauce and toss to coat.
- Remove the meatballs from the sauce and serve immediately with sliced green onion for garnish and reserved dipping sauce.
Expert Tips
- Even Meatballs: To ensure all of your meatballs stay a consistent size when rolling them into balls, use a cookie scoop to do so.
- Air Fryer: Air Fry these Chinese meatballs by adding to the air fryer tray in a single layer, cook at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
- Instant Pot: Make these asian meatballs in the instant pot using the saute setting.
- Ground Chicken: You can also make this recipe using ground turkey or chicken in place of the ground pork.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible for the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.