Sweet & Spicy Honey Garlic Meatballs
Indulge in a delightful blend of sweet and spicy with these Sweet & Spicy Honey Garlic Meatballs! This recipe is incredibly simple and can be a breeze for busy weeknights, especially if you have pre-made meatballs on hand. Whether you choose to make your own meatballs or opt for store-bought, this dish is a flavorful crowd-pleaser. The irresistible honey garlic glaze is enhanced with a hint of heat from crushed red pepper flakes, adjustable to your taste. Serve it over a bed of fluffy white rice, and enjoy a satisfying meal that the whole family will love. With prep time dedicated only to cooking the meatballs, you'll have dinner ready in no time!
4
Servings
225
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
small prepared meatballs
3/4-1 lb (fully cooked, or use as many as desired)
cooked white rice
as desired (none)
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (none)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon (optional, adjust to taste)
canned chicken broth
1 cup (room temperature or cold)
cornstarch
2 tablespoons (none)
soy sauce
3 tablespoons (none)
white vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons (none)
brown sugar
1 tablespoon (none)
liquid honey
1/2 cup (none)
Instructions
1
In a medium bowl, whisk together chicken broth and cornstarch until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
2
Stir in soy sauce, white vinegar, and brown sugar until well combined; set the sauce mixture aside.
3
In a medium saucepan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat until shimmering.
4
Add the minced garlic and optional crushed red pepper flakes to the oil, sautéing for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
5
Pour in the prepared broth mixture along with 1/2 cup of liquid honey. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring continuously until the sauce is bubbly and has thickened, approximately 3 minutes.
6
Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and add in the cooked meatballs. Stir gently to coat them with the sauce, allowing them to heat through for about 5 minutes.
7
Serve the honey garlic meatballs over cooked white rice while the dish is warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
33g
Carbs
10.5g
Protein
0.5g
Fiber
12.5g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sweet & Spicy Honey Garlic Meatballs?
They are meatballs coated in a delicious glaze made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a hint of red pepper flakes for heat.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
Can I use store-bought meatballs for this recipe?
Yes, you can use pre-made or store-bought meatballs to save time on busy weeknights.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 225 calories.
How do I make the honey garlic sauce thicker?
The sauce is thickened using a mixture of 1 cup chicken broth and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, brought to a simmer.
Can I adjust the spiciness of this dish?
Yes, you can adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to suit your personal taste preferences.
What is the best side dish for these meatballs?
It is recommended to serve these meatballs over a bed of fluffy white rice.
How much honey is required for the glaze?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of liquid honey.
How much garlic is used in this recipe?
You will need 3 minced garlic cloves for the sauce.
What type of broth should I use?
The recipe specifies using 1 cup of canned chicken broth at room temperature or cold.
How long should I sauté the garlic?
Sauté the minced garlic in vegetable oil for about 2 minutes until it becomes fragrant.
What kind of vinegar is needed for the sauce?
The recipe uses 1.5 tablespoons of white vinegar.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 10.5 grams of protein per serving.
Are there many carbohydrates in this recipe?
There are 33 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How long does it take to heat the meatballs in the sauce?
Once the sauce is thickened, add the cooked meatballs and heat them through for about 5 minutes.
How much soy sauce is included?
The sauce includes 3 tablespoons of soy sauce.
Does this recipe contain sugar?
Yes, it contains 1 tablespoon of brown sugar in addition to the honey.
Is this dish considered a quick recipe?
Yes, especially if using pre-cooked meatballs, it is an easy and quick weeknight meal.
What is the fiber content of this meal?
The recipe contains 0.5 grams of fiber per serving.
How much fat is in this recipe?
The specific fat content is not listed in the nutritional data, but it uses 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
What is the first step in making the sauce?
The first step is to whisk together the chicken broth and cornstarch in a medium bowl until smooth.
How many meatballs should I use?
The recipe suggests 3/4 to 1 lb of small prepared meatballs, or as many as desired.
Is this an Asian-inspired recipe?
Yes, the combination of soy sauce, ginger, honey, and garlic gives it an Asian-inspired flavor profile.
Can children eat this meal?
Yes, it is family-friendly; simply reduce or omit the red pepper flakes if they prefer no heat.
How much sugar is in each serving?
There are 12.5 grams of sugar per serving.
Do I need to cook the rice separately?
Yes, the recipe assumes you have cooked white rice ready for serving.
What temperature should I heat the vegetable oil?
Heat the vegetable oil over medium heat until it is shimmering.
How do I know the sauce is ready for the meatballs?
The sauce is ready when it has reached a gentle simmer, is bubbly, and has noticeably thickened.
Can I use turkey meatballs?
Yes, any type of prepared meatball (beef, turkey, or chicken) will work with this honey garlic glaze.
What should the texture of the broth/cornstarch mixture be?
It should be whisked until the mixture is smooth and completely free of lumps.