These juicy, baked BBQ rooster meatballs are tossed in a candy and savory Japanese BBQ sauce. They’re simple to make, and ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or social gathering appetizers!
I used to be planning to make my buffalo rooster meatballs one evening for dinner, however realized I wanted one thing much less spicy and a bit of extra kid-friendly. I had a bottle of Japanese BBQ sauce within the fridge and figured—why not strive that as a substitute?
Let me simply say… it was an excellent name. These BBQ rooster meatballs turned out so flavorful, and each kiddos devoured them with no single grievance (which, let’s be sincere, seems like a small miracle). They have been such a success, I knew I needed to share the recipe with you!
Why You Gotta Strive This One
This recipe has simply turn out to be a brand new favourite in our home. These BBQ rooster meatballs are made with easy components, baked within the oven (no frying mess!), and coated in a candy and savory Japanese BBQ sauce. I really like how versatile they’re — good for fast weeknight dinners, meal prep, or serving as a celebration app.
And let’s be actual, I’m all the time on the hunt for meals that fulfill each Isaac and me and nonetheless get the thumbs-up from the youngsters. This one checks all of the packing containers. The meatballs are tender, stuffed with daring, smoky-sweet taste, and really feel far more enjoyable than your common weeknight dinner. Better part? All the pieces comes collectively in a single bowl and bakes in underneath 20 minutes. I’ve been doubling the recipe and loving the leftovers for fast, no-stress meals all week lengthy!
Substances Wanted
- floor rooster – the protein-packed base of the meatballs. I like utilizing floor rooster for a lighter, leaner possibility, but it surely nonetheless seems tremendous moist and flavorful.
- Japanese BBQ sauce – this offers the meatballs their daring, sweet-savory taste. In contrast to conventional American BBQ sauce, which is often thick, smoky, or tangy, Japanese BBQ sauce is thinner and extra glaze-like, with wealthy umami notes from soy sauce, mirin, garlic, and sesame. It provides a deliciously distinctive twist! I used Bachan’s Unique Sauce, however any selection you like will work. Use their gluten-free model if wanted.
- egg – helps bind the whole lot collectively so the meatballs maintain their form whereas baking.
- yellow onion – provides moisture and taste. You can even use the white a part of a inexperienced onion in case you want a milder style.
- almond flour – retains the meatballs gluten-free and helps them keep tender. You possibly can sub with ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs if that’s what you have got available.
- seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt & black pepper) – this combo brings in savory depth, enhances the umami, and balances the candy BBQ taste. Simply easy pantry staples, however they make an enormous distinction!
Swap It Up!
These BBQ rooster meatballs are tremendous versatile, and there are many simple methods to modify them up relying on what you’re craving or what you’ve bought within the fridge:
- Swap the sauce: I used Japanese BBQ sauce for that daring, barely candy umami taste, however be at liberty to make use of any store-bought BBQ sauce you like. Or make my home made wholesome BBQ sauce — it’s made with pantry staples and no refined sugar!
- Swap up the protein: Floor beef or floor turkey works simply as effectively if that’s what you have got available. You might additionally strive my baked turkey meatballs for a distinct model.
Learn how to Make BBQ Hen Meatballs
Step 1: In a big bowl, mix the bottom rooster, Japanese BBQ sauce, egg, onion, almond flour, and seasonings.
Step 2: Scoop and roll the combination into meatballs utilizing your palms (moist your palms if the combination is sticky!).
Step 3: Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 16–18 minutes, or till totally cooked by way of.
Step 4: Toss the baked meatballs in further BBQ sauce and serve heat.
Brittany’s Recipe Ideas!
Only a few easy ideas to assist these meatballs come out completely juicy, flavorful, and prepared for no matter you’re serving them with:
- Don’t overmix the meat: You need the whole lot simply mixed so the meatballs keep tender, not powerful.
- Use a cookie scoop: It makes portioning tremendous simple and helps each meatball cook dinner evenly (plus, no messy palms).
- Moist your palms: If the combination feels sticky, dampen your palms with a bit of water. It makes rolling manner simpler and smoother.
- Line your pan: Parchment paper or a silicone mat retains cleanup fast and prevents sticking.
- Examine the temp: When you have a meat thermometer, search for 165ºF within the heart.
Serving Solutions
These BBQ rooster meatballs are the type of recipe that works nearly anyplace. I really like making an enormous batch for simple weeknight dinners, however they’re additionally good for cookouts, sport days, meal prep, or social gathering spreads. Tender, saucy, and tremendous satisfying — there’s actually no fallacious solution to take pleasure in them.
Strive serving them:
- With roasted broccoli or sautéed inexperienced beans
- Over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice with an additional drizzle of sauce
- Tucked into lettuce wraps or sliders for a enjoyable social gathering possibility
- As a celebration app, add them to a sluggish cooker with further sauce and carry on heat for sport day or gatherings.
Learn how to Retailer & Reheat
Let the meatballs cool fully, then retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. To reheat, merely heat them within the microwave or on the stovetop till heated by way of.
Additionally they freeze effectively! Place the cooked and cooled meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze till strong, then switch to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll hold for as much as 3 months. Reheat straight from frozen or thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than warming.
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