These sticky Asian Meatballs are about to become your favorite recipe. The juicy meatballs are packed with flavors. Smothered in an umami sticky sauce, the symphony of flavors will blow your mind. This baked meatball recipe is also easy to make and perfect to go with rice, and noodles or serve it as an appetizer. It has become a fans’ favorite in SKS community. I can’t wait for you to try it too.

Growing up in China, my dad always made a “sticky” sauce with most dishes. Sticky tofu, sticky short ribs, sticky eggplants. You name it. It is always his magic sauce in the kitchen.

And these sticky Asian meatballs are one of my favorites. 

I have made my dad’s authentic Chinese food magic happen in my kitchen here in America, 10 thousand miles away from home with these super flavorful Asian meatballs with sticky sauce.

Why I love these Sticky Asian Meatballs

1. Packed with flavors

To begin with, this flavorful meatball recipe itself is packed with all the aromatics – ginger, garlic, green onion.

Additionally, we are going to top off these Asian Meatballs with a flavorful sticky sauce simmered to perfection.

2. Easy to Make sticky Asian Meatballs

This oven-baked Meatball recipe is so easy to make.

With only a few accessible ingredients, you have the best juicy and tender meatballs.

3. So “Fancy” to bring to the dinner table or party

Not your average Chinese Takeout Food.

This authentic Chinese dish looks and tastes fancy but is easy to make, and will definitely please a crowd.

4. Reminds me of Home

I don’t make Chinese food often because I never think I get even close to my dad’s cooking level.

But these sticky Asian meatballs, my dad would actually be proud of!

Ingredients needed for this sticky Asian meatball recipe

If I learned a thing or two from watching my parents cook Asian cuisine growing up, to begin with:

  • Green Onion 葱
  • Ginger 姜
  • Garlic 蒜

These are the three ingredients you will find in most Chinese food.

Additionally, Asian cuisine also uses a lot of sesame seed oil, soy sauce, and white sugar.

Additionally, here are the main ingredients for these Asian meatballs.

1. A mix of ground pork and ground chicken

You can also use all ground pork, chicken, or turkey

I like the texture of pork meatballs and chicken meatballs the most. It also provides just enough fat to bring out the flavor. 

Asian pork meatballs or Asian chicken meatballs? Your choice!

2. One egg

3. Arrowroot flour

My dad always used corn starch or flour to marinate meat in his Asian cooking. I substitute it with arrowroot flour works the same way. It helps to keep the meatballs moist after baking.

4. Coconut Aminos

5. Salt to taste

I actually did not end up adding any extra salt. Take into consideration that coconut aminos themselves are salty.

Now Let’s Make them!

Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
In a large mixing bowl, add ground pork and/or ground chicken.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Mix in an egg with the ground meat.

Note: You can also use ground turkey to replace ground chicken here but I do recommend using partial pork because it is fattier which will make the meatballs more moist and juicy.

Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Add arrowroot flour to the mix.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Add green onion. (You can also lightly saute the green onion until fragrant before adding to the mix)
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
If you prefer a little bit of a kick to your dish, I love incorporating some chopped poblano peppers or dashes of red pepper flakes.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Add minced garlic and ginger to the mix.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Incorporate coconut aminos, and salt into the mix.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Mix the ingredients until combined well.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Use a scooper or spoon to gather about 2 tablespoons of the meatball mixture (adjust the size based on preference).
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Roll into balls (Tip: Wet your hands before rolling to prevent the meat from sticking to your hands).
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Bake the meatballs at 400F for 12 – 15 minutes depending on the size and amount, or until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165F.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Optional: Broil 1 minute at the end to get the extra char on top of the meatballs.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Ingredients for the sticky Asian sauce: coconut aminos, chicken stock, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and coconut sugar.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Whisk together all the ingredients in a saucepan.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Incorporate the arrowroot flour in the sauce and whisk to combine until there is no clump left. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Transfer the cooked meatballs to a large skillet with the sticky sauce.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Coat the meatballs with the sticky sauce.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
The quick 15-minute-baked meatballs.
Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.
Paired with sticky Asian sauce.

Coconut Aminos:

Instead of soy sauce, I used coconut aminos.

You can also use low-sodium soy sauce for this recipe.

Arrowroot Flour:

Similar to corn starch that acts as a thickener, arrowroot flour is a great alternative to use in this sticky Asian sauce recipe.

Coconut Sugar:

I like use coconut sugar which gives it a light caramelized flavor.

What Makes the Asian Sauce Sticky?

Instructions on how to make sticky Asian meatballs.

So my dad uses this flour called Sheng Fen 生粉, which is a kind of starch.

What is Arrowroot Flour?

Arrowroot flour is a starchy substance extracted from the root of Maranta arundinacea.

You may be familiar with corn starch, a traditional thickener in many recipes. Similarly, arrowroot flour also thickens food, but has no taste, leaves food glossy and clear.

A Few of My Favorite Ways to Serve These Meatballs

A plate of Asian sticky meatballs topped with chopped scallions.

Perfect Party Appetizers

These Asian Meatballs are the perfect bite-size. Just put some toothpicks in them and you have a fancy Chinese food “takeout” appetizer.

Flavorful Sticky meatballs make the perfect Dinner for the Whole family

Chinese food isn’t complete without rice. Serve these Sticky Asian Meatballs with some Jasmine rice and some stir-fried vegetables on the size.

Or top them off with noodles.

Again, NOT your average Chinese Food takeout.

Additionally, you can serve it with cauliflower rice for even more vegetables.

These Sticky Asian Meatballs are great to serve for dinner, as appetizers for parties and social gatherings. They look so fancy, but no one needs to know how easy they are to make.

(Last Updated July 11th, 2019 – tweaked the recipe a bit to make it extra moist and soft)

Meatballs are being added into the sticky asian sauce and topped with sesame seeds

Get the recipe:Sticky Asian Meatballs {under 30 Minutes}

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
This authentic Sticky Asian Meatball recipe will blow your mind. The tender and juicy meatballs baked in the oven, smothered in a sweet and umami sticky sauce, they are the perfect family dinner that can be made under 30 minutes.
4.72 stars (46 reviews)
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Ingredients

Asian Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp arrowroot flour, make it extra moist
  • 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup poblano pepper, optional for spicier taste
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos
  • Salt to taste *

Asian Sticky Sauce

  • 1/3 – 1/2 cup coconut aminos **
  • 2/3 cup chicken stock
  • 3 – 4 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 heaping tbsp arrowroot flour
  • 1/2 tsp fresh or ground ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced, optional
  • 1 tbsp coconut sugar, optional

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Asian Meatballs
  • Preheat the oven to 400 F. Grease a baking sheet with avocado oil.
  • Finely chop the green onion, garlic, and poblano pepper. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add ground pork, ground chicken, egg, arrowroot flour, green onion, poblano pepper, garlic, ginger, coconut amino, and salt. Use a spoon or your hands to combine the ingredients well.
  • Roll the batter into balls using your hands. (approx. 24 – 26 meatballs for 2 lb of meat). Wet your hands with cold water to prevent the meat from sticking to your hands.
  • Place the meatballs on the greased baking sheet.
  • Bake the meatballs for 13-15 minutes. Broil for 2 minutes in the end. Make sure internal temperature has reached 165F.
  • Sticky Asian Sauce
  • Add coconut aminos, chicken stock, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and coconut sugar to a skillet and whisk together.
  • Add the arrowroot flour to the skillet and whisk to combine well until there are no clumps left.
  • Bring to a boil then turn the heat to low.
  • Stir frequently until the sauce thickens. This takes about 2 – 3 minutes.
  • Once the meatballs are done, transfer them into the sauce skillet and cover them with the sticky sauce.
  • Sprinkle some extra green onion and sesame seeds for garnishing. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. Instead of pork and chicken, you can use turkey or beef. I prefer having ground pork in the mix because the fattier meat brings out the flavor.
  2. If the sauce doesn't thicken, keep stirring and turn the heat up by just a notch.
  3. * Coconut aminos are salty themselves, take into consideration when you add additional salt.
  4. **If using soy sauce instead of coconut aminos, use a less soy sauce and more stock ratio since soy sauce is saltier than coconut aminos. You can add up to 1/2 cup of coconut aminos to taste.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 322kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 137mg, Sodium: 593mg, Sugar: 6g

The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.

Author: Shuang Shuang Liang
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian

OOO ALSO I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN USE “TRIED IT” ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING #SHUANGYSEATS

This authentic Sticky Asian Meatball recipe will blow your mind. The tender and juicy meatballs baked in the oven, smothered in a sweet and umami sticky sauce, they are the perfect family dinner that can be made under 30 minutes.