Coated in a sweet, garlicky, Asian-inspired sauce, these sticky pork meatballs are an easy dinner on busy weeknights that will have the whole family coming back for seconds!
Love meatballs? Try my easy homemade meatballs and these teriyaki chicken meatballs next.
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Key Takeaways: Sticky Pork Meatballs
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Servings: 16 meatballs
- Cook Method: Baked on a sheet pan, then tossed in sauce on the stovetop
- Flavor & Texture: Sweet, savory and sticky with juicy pork meatballs coated in a glossy hoisin-honey sauce
- Difficulty: Easy. The meatballs bake quickly in the oven while the sauce simmers for just a few minutes, then everything gets tossed together before serving.
Why I Love This Recipe
These sticky pork meatballs are just as flavorful as my Asian meatballs but not quite as spicy as my Korean meatballs or firecracker meatballs.
We love to serve them over rice for a quick dinner or on their own as an appetizer for gatherings!
Ingredients Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- For the pork meatballs: You’ll need lean ground pork (80%), which stays juicy and tender, finely minced onion, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. You don’t need breadcrumbs or eggs in this recipe.
- Sticky sauce: Low sodium soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ground ginger, garlic powder, and sesame oil are the pantry ingredients you’ll need for the glaze.
- For serving: Rice, steamed broccoli, sliced green onions, and sesame seeds.
How to Make Pork Meatballs with a Sticky Sauce
Start by mixing your ground pork with the seasonings called for in the recipe card, then roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs. Keeping the size consistent helps them cook evenly and makes for easier serving later.
Once your meatballs are shaped, bake them in a preheated 400°F oven until they’re browned on the outside and cooked through in the center.
While they cook, whisk together the sticky sauce in a separate pan on the stove so it’s ready to go the moment the meatballs are done.
Toss the cooked meatballs in the warm sauce and let it reduce slightly, until every pork meatball is coated glossy, sticky, and ready to eat!
Alternate Cooking Methods
Stovetop: Cook meatballs in a skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. This method is great for getting a nice sear.
Air fryer: Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. Cook until golden and cooked through, shaking the basket halfway for even browning. A great hands-off option with minimal cleanup!
Sticky Pork Meatballs Tips
- Meat swap: No ground pork on hand? The delicious sauce pairs really nicely with turkey meatballs, chicken meatballs, or even beef meatballs. So use whatever ground meat you have in the fridge for your meatball base.
- Don’t overmix: Combine the meatball ingredients just until they come together. Overmixing can make the meatballs dense instead of tender.
- Meal prep. Keep Asian pork meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat them in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
These sticky pork meatballs are endlessly versatile at the dinner table or as part of a potluck spread. However, I tend to stick with an Asian inspired theme, serving them over rice with a side of steamed vegetables, garnished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Summarize and Save This Recipe Content On:
More Asian inspired dinners ground beef and broccoli, Korean ground beef bowl and and ground beef lettuce wraps.
More Meatball Recipes
Sticky Pork Meatballs
Video
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground pork , use 80% lean
- ¼ cup finely minced onion
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sticky Sauce
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 1 Tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger , or 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder , or 1 teaspoon minced
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
For Serving: Rice, steamed broccoli, sliced green onions, sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly coat with nonstick spray.
- Make meatballs. In a large bowl, combine 1 pound ground pork, 1/4 cup finely minced onion, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Mix just until combined (don't overmix).
- Shape the mixture into 16 meatballs (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each) and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through (160°F).
- Make sauce. While the meatballs bake, whisk together 1/4 cup hoisin sauce, 1/4 cup water, 1 Tablespoon soy sauce, 1 Tablespoon honey, 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/4 teaspoon garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil in a large skillet. Simmer on low for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Coat meatballs in sauce. Add the warm meatballs to the skillet and gently toss until evenly coated in the sauce.
- Serve over rice with broccoli and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
FAQs
Yes, you can use ground turkey or ground chicken, but the meatballs may be a little leaner and less juicy than pork.
Yes. You can shape the meatballs a day in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake. You can also whisk the sticky sauce ingredients together ahead of time, then simmer and toss with the warm meatballs before serving.
Pork meatballs are done when they reach 160°F in the center. In this recipe, they bake at 400°F for about 13 to 15 minutes before being tossed in the sticky sauce.
Yes. Let the sauce simmer for an extra minute or two before adding the meatballs. It will thicken slightly as it cooks and will cling better to the meatballs once tossed together.
