Hello Fresh Firecracker Meatballs (Printable Version)
Spicy, glazed meatballs with jasmine rice and crisp sautéed veggies for a bold weeknight dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1.1 pounds ground beef or ground pork, or a combination
02 - 1 large egg
03 - 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 scallions, finely sliced
06 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
07 - 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Firecracker Sauce
09 - 3 tablespoons sriracha sauce
10 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
11 - 2 tablespoons honey
12 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
13 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
→ Rice & Vegetables
15 - 1 cup jasmine rice
16 - 2 cups water
17 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
18 - 1 large carrot, julienned
19 - 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
20 - 3.5 ounces green beans, trimmed and halved
21 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
22 - Additional sliced scallions, for garnish
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 430°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, sliced scallions, soy sauce, grated ginger, salt, and pepper. Mix until just blended. Form mixture into 16 to 20 uniform meatballs and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Bake meatballs for 18 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until browned and fully cooked.
04 - Rinse jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Place rice and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 12 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together sriracha, mayonnaise, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until smooth.
06 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrot, bell pepper, and green beans. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until just tender yet crisp. Season lightly with salt.
07 - Once meatballs are cooked, toss them with about two-thirds of the prepared firecracker sauce until evenly coated.
08 - Arrange jasmine rice on plates. Top with glazed meatballs and serve sautéed vegetables on the side. Drizzle remaining sauce over top and garnish with sesame seeds and additional sliced scallions.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This sauce has a magical way of coating every bite, making even regular weeknights feel bold.
- It scales up beautifully for a crowd, and yet it never feels fussy or hard to pull off.
02 -
- Once, I forgot to rinse the rice and ended up with gummy grains—don’t be like me.
- Tossing meatballs in sauce while hot helps them soak up way more flavor and shine.
03 -
- If shaping meatballs feels sticky, wet your hands to keep things rolling smoothly.
- Giving the meat mixture a short chill helps it hold together better when forming balls.