Description
A flavorful and spicy Firecracker Meatball recipe inspired by Hello Fresh, featuring juicy ground beef meatballs baked to perfection and tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce made with mayonnaise, honey, sriracha, and sour cream. These meatballs are perfect as an appetizer or main dish served with pita, rice, or vegetables.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 20 oz ground beef (80/20)
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp chopped ginger
- 2 tbsp Italian parsley, chopped
- 3 scallions (green onions) - white and green parts separated
- 2 tsp soy sauce (reduced sodium)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tsp crushed chili flakes (divided)
Sauce
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- 4 tsp honey
- 2 tsp sriracha sauce
- 4 tbsp sour cream
- 2 tsp soy sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Prepare meatball mixture. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, half of the sesame seeds, minced garlic, panko breadcrumbs, chopped ginger, chopped Italian parsley, the white parts of the scallions, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, salt, black pepper, and half a teaspoon of crushed chili flakes. Mix everything thoroughly to evenly distribute all the ingredients.
- Form meatballs. Using your hands, roll the meat mixture into small meatballs approximately 1½ inches in diameter. You should be able to make roughly 20 meatballs.
- Bake meatballs. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Put the sheet on the top rack of your oven and bake for about 15 minutes, flipping the meatballs halfway through to ensure an even, crispy crust on all sides and that they are fully cooked.
- Make the sauce. While the meatballs bake, combine the mayonnaise, honey, sriracha, sour cream, and 2 teaspoons of soy sauce in a bowl. Stir well until the sauce is smooth and well blended. Set aside.
- Toss meatballs with sauce. Remove the cooked meatballs from the oven and either toss them directly in the prepared sauce or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
- Serve. Serve the firecracker meatballs with pita bread, over a bed of lettuce, alongside rice, or with a side of garlic green beans for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For extra heat, add more crushed chili flakes to the meatball mixture or sauce according to your spice preference.
- Make sure not to overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
- Using parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- These meatballs reheat well and can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Adjust soy sauce amounts if using regular sodium soy sauce to control saltiness.
