Description
Succulent Asian Crockpot Meatballs deliver a flavor explosion that dances across palates with exotic spices and tender meat. Slow-cooked perfection brings comfort and excitement to dinner, inviting you to savor each richly seasoned bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef or pork (or a mix)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 tbsps soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium)
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup honey or brown sugar
- 2 tbsps ketchup
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsps sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Meatball Fusion: Combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl. Thoroughly blend ingredients and shape into uniform spherical portions.
- Flavor Intensification: Optional searing technique in a hot skillet with minimal oil creates a caramelized exterior, enhancing overall taste and structural integrity of meatballs.
- Sauce Composition: Construct a vibrant Asian-inspired liquid by whisking hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic into a harmonious blend.
- Slow Culinary Transformation: Transfer meatballs into crockpot, cascade prepared sauce over protein, gently ensuring complete coating. Secure lid and initiate low-temperature cooking for 4-6 hours or high-temperature method for 2-3 hours until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Sauce Refinement: Approximately 30 minutes prior to serving, incorporate cornstarch slurry to elevate sauce’s viscosity. Continue cooking until liquid transforms into a glossy, clinging consistency.
- Presentation: Adorn with green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro. Serve as an elegant appetizer or atop rice/noodles for a comprehensive dining experience.
Notes
- Mix ground meats like pork and beef for richer flavor and more tender meatballs, preventing dryness and enhancing overall taste.
- Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly and avoid high heat to maintain smooth, consistent sauce without breaking or becoming oily.
- Avoid overcrowding by leaving space between meatballs, ensuring even cooking and allowing sauce to circulate properly around each piece.
- Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers to make the recipe suitable for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg