Sweet & Spicy Ginger Sesame Meatballs

If you’re looking for an easy, flavor-packed dinner that’s high in protein, check out these Sweet & Spicy Ginger Sesame Meatballs. They’re juicy, savory, a little spicy, and finished with a sweet-and-sticky glaze that takes them over the top.

Not only is this recipe quick and easy to prepare, but it’s also a balanced, high-protein meal idea that pairs perfectly with rice, noodles, or even lettuce wraps. Whether you’re meal prepping or whipping up something quick for dinner, these meatballs are a guaranteed hit.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ Quick & easy: Made in one skillet or baked in the oven
• ✅ High-protein: Each meatball contains nearly 10 grams of protein
• ✅ Meal-prep friendly: Make ahead and serve with rice or noodles
• ✅ Family-approved: Sweet, savory, and just the right amount of heat

How to Make Sweet & Spicy Ginger Sesame Meatballs

Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 4 slices bacon, finely chopped
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons grated ginger
• 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup finely chopped onions
• 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• ¼ cup chopped green onions
• 2–3 tablespoons oil for cooking

For the Sweet & Spicy Sauce:

• ½ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt & pepper to taste

Mix the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients. Set aside.

Make the meatballs: Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl. Mix until well combined and form into 12 evenly sized meatballs.

Pan-sear: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer and brown on each side for 2–3 minutes.

Simmer in sauce: Add half the sauce to the skillet, reduce heat to medium, and cook until meatballs are fully cooked and sauce has thickened, about 3–4 minutes more.

Garnish and serve: Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle with remaining sauce, and top with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

To Bake Instead:
Preheat oven to 375˚F. Place meatballs on a foil-lined, oiled baking sheet and bake for 18–20 minutes, turning halfway and brushing with sauce. Finish with garnish.

How to Serve These Meatballs

We love turning this dish into a complete meal by serving it with:

• Steamed jasmine or brown rice
• Noodles
• Asian-inspired slaw
• Or even tucked into lettuce wraps for a low-carb option

They’re also delicious served cold the next day for lunch or tossed in a rice bowl with avocado, cucumbers, and carrots.

These Sweet & Spicy Ginger Sesame Meatballs are perfect for when you want something delicious, tasty, & flavorful. Easy to make, big on flavor, and versatile enough to enjoy in so many ways—this is a recipe you’ll be coming back to again and again.

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Sweet & Spicy Ginger Sesame Meatballs

Servings 12

Author Beautiful Eats & Things

Ingredients

Meatballs:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 4 slices bacon finely chopped
• 1 large egg beaten
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 teaspoons grated ginger
• 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup finely chopped onions
• 3 tablespoons cilantro chopped
• Salt/pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• ¼ cup chopped green onions
• 2-3 tablespoons oil

Sweet & Spicy Sauce:

• ½ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worchestshire sauce
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt/pepper to taste

Instructions

• Add all of the ingredients for the Sweet & Spicy Sauce to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside until ready to use.
• In a bowl, combine all meatball ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
• Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form equal-sized meatballs out of the meatball mixture.
• Heat two to three tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Allow the oil to heat up for a few minutes, until it is sizzling hot.
• Carefully place the meatballs on the surface of the hot skillet in a single layer and sear for 2 minutes. Flip meatballs to the other side and brown for another 2 minutes.
• Pour half of the sauce into the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and allow the meatballs to continue cooking, flipping once or twice, until they have reached your desired level of doneness, about 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
• Transfer the meatballs to a serving platter and drizzle the remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
• To Bake in the Oven: Preheat oven to 375˚F. Line two large baking sheets with foil and coat with oil. Place the meatballs on the lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake meatballs for 18 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through and brushing with half of the sauce, or until they are completely cooked through. Allow meatballs to rest for 5 minutes before transferring to a serving platter and drizzling the remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Notes

Nutrition Information: (1 meatball) Calories: 166| Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12.5g | Saturated Fat: 3.9g | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.3g | Sodium: 55mg