Hello Fresh Firecracker Meatballs (Printable)
Fiery-sweet glazed meatballs over jasmine rice with crisp sautéed vegetables for a bold weeknight meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef or 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 fresh ginger, grated
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Firecracker Sauce
09 - 3 tablespoons sriracha
10 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
11 - 2 tablespoons honey
12 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
13 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
→ Rice and Vegetables
15 - 1.25 cups 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 - Sliced scallions, for garnish
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 430°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, blend ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, scallions, soy sauce, grated ginger, salt, and pepper until just combined. Shape into 16–20 evenly sized meatballs and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Bake meatballs for 18–20 minutes, turning halfway through, until browned and fully cooked.
04 - Rinse jasmine rice under cold water until the water is clear. Combine rice and 2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 12 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together sriracha, mayonnaise, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until smooth. Reserve for later use.
06 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrots, bell pepper, and green beans. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until vegetables are just tender yet crisp. Season lightly with salt.
07 - Once cooked, transfer meatballs to a large bowl and gently toss with approximately two-thirds of the prepared firecracker sauce until evenly coated.
08 - Distribute jasmine rice among plates. Top with glazed meatballs and arrange sautéed vegetables alongside. Drizzle with remaining firecracker sauce and garnish with sesame seeds and extra sliced scallions.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The sauce comes together in one bowl with six ingredients and tastes like something youd pay fifteen dollars for.
- Everything cooks at the same time so dinner lands on the table in 40 minutes flat.
- The spice level is completely yours to control so kids and heat lovers both win.
02 -
- Overmixing the meat makes the meatballs tough so stop the second everything is incorporated.
- Rinsing the rice is not optional because skipping it gives you sticky clumpy results every single time.
- Let the meatballs rest for two minutes out of the oven before tossing in sauce so the coating actually sticks.
03 -
- Wet your hands before rolling meatballs and the meat will never stick to your palms.
- Broil the glazed meatballs for 60 seconds after tossing in sauce to get caramelized sticky edges that change everything.