Description
Delicious and flavorful soy ginger meatballs baked to perfection and served with a tangy, sweet, and spicy dressing. This recipe combines ground pork or turkey with fresh herbs and Asian-inspired seasonings, making a perfect meal served over rice or vermicelli noodles with fresh vegetable toppings.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground pork or ground turkey (can use ground beef or a mix)
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Dressing
- 1/4 cup avocado oil or olive oil
- 1/4 cup lite soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (can use honey)
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
Toppings and Serving Suggestions
- Vermicelli rice noodles or rice
- Cucumber slices
- Shredded carrots
- Shredded cabbage
- Thinly sliced red bell pepper
- Avocado slices
- Fresh herbs: cilantro, mint, and/or basil
- Sliced green onions
- Chopped peanuts
- Sesame seeds
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground pork, panko breadcrumbs, beaten egg, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, lime zest, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Use your hands to gently but thoroughly mix until evenly combined.
- Form Meatballs: Using an ice cream scoop or large cookie scoop, take about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture and roll it into a ball between your palms. Place each meatball on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to ensure even cooking.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake meatballs in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to promote even browning and cooking. Cook until meatballs are cooked through and no longer pink inside.
- Prepare Dressing: While the meatballs bake, whisk together avocado or olive oil, lite soy sauce or tamari, fresh lime juice, rice wine vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl or jar. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs over cooked vermicelli rice noodles or rice with your preferred fresh vegetable toppings such as cucumber slices, shredded carrots, cabbage, red bell pepper, avocado slices, and fresh herbs. Drizzle generously with the prepared dressing.
- Assemble Bowls: To create bowls, divide rice or noodles among serving bowls, top with baked meatballs, add your desired toppings, sprinkle with chopped peanuts and sesame seeds, and finish with lime wedges on the side for an extra zest.
Notes
- Ground pork offers a juicier meatball, but ground turkey or a beef mix also work well.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes in both meatballs and dressing according to your spice preference.
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
- Make meatballs ahead of time and reheat; they also freeze well.
- To make the dish vegetarian, substitute meatballs with firm tofu or plant-based meat alternatives.
- If you like crispier meatballs, broil for 1-2 minutes after baking to add a crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian
