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Test Kitchen Approved

Sticky Mongolian Meatballs

Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 12 servings

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About

These Asian-inspired meatballs are covered in a flavorful sauce that blends garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Sticky Mongolian Meatballs are a unique take on Mongolian beef, a favorite among Chinese restaurants for good reason. These Sticky Mongolian Meatballs can even be served as appetizers — just stick a toothpick in them. For dinner, serve alongside jasmine rice and sauteed veggies.

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Ingredients

  • For the meatballs:
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced, plus more, to taste, for serving
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • For the sauce:
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic, grated
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted

Directions

Step 1 -Place the oven rack in the center of the oven.

Step 2 -Preheat to 450 degrees F.

Step 3 -Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

Step 4 -In a large bowl, add the breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup of the green onions, the salt, and the white pepper and mix together until fully combined.

Step 5 -Add the ground beef and mix until slightly combined, but do not overmix.

Step 6 -Gently shape the mixture into meatballs using 1 1/2 tablespoons of the meat mixture per ball.

Step 7 -Line the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake until cooked fully and golden-brown, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 8 -While the meatballs are in the oven, in a large skillet over medium-to-high heat, add the water, the brown sugar, the soy sauce, garlic, the sesame, the ginger, the oyster sauce, the hoisin, the red pepper flakes, and the white pepper.

Step 9 -Use a whisk to dissolve the sugar and let the sauce come to a simmer before reducing the heat to low.

Step 10 -Let the sauce simmer for 5-6 minutes, letting it slightly bubble on the surface. Stir frequently to avoid burning the sauce.

Step 11 -Add the cooked meatballs to the skillet and toss them in the sauce to coat.

Step 12 -Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds and the extra green onions over the meatballs and serve!

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