Description
Mouthwatering sticky Mongolian meatballs blend savory beef with sweet and tangy sauce over crisp broccoli. Culinary adventurers will discover a perfect balance of flavors that transport palates directly to Central Asian comfort cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or turkey
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup (50 g) breadcrumbs
- ½ cup (120 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup (70 g) brown sugar
- 2 tbsps soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsps water
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Sesame seeds
- Extra green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400F (200C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for effortless cooking and cleanup.
- Meatball Formation: Thoroughly mix ground beef with egg, breadcrumbs, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Gently combine ingredients to maintain a delicate texture, forming uniform 1½-inch meatballs with consistent sizing.
- Initial Roasting: Position meatballs on prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Roast for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and completely cooked through, simultaneously adding broccoli florets tossed in olive oil, salt, and pepper during the final 10-12 minutes to achieve caramelized edges.
- Sauce Creation: Craft the Mongolian sauce by whisking soy sauce, brown sugar, water, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat. Incorporate cornstarch slurry and simmer until the mixture transforms into a glossy, thick consistency.
- Finishing Touch: Generously coat freshly roasted meatballs in the sticky sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Plate alongside roasted broccoli, embellishing with toasted sesame seeds and delicate green onion slivers. Optional accompaniment of steamed rice or noodles completes the culinary experience.
Notes
- Prevent Tough Meatballs: Mix ingredients gently and avoid overmixing to keep meat tender and juicy, ensuring a light texture.
- Balance Sauce Consistency: Whisk cornstarch slurry carefully and simmer slowly to achieve the perfect glossy, sticky sauce without lumps.
- Achieve Crispy Broccoli: Spread florets evenly on the baking sheet, ensuring they’re not overcrowded for caramelized, crisp edges.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute ground beef with turkey or plant-based alternatives, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari for a low-carb or gluten-sensitive version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mongolian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg