Mongolian Meatballs are a flavorful and savory dish featuring juicy ground beef meatballs glazed in a sweet and tangy sauce. These delightful meatballs are perfect for a comforting dinner, bringing a taste of Mongolia to your kitchen. The combination of ingredients creates a unique blend of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. If you’re looking for an easy and delicious recipe that will impress your family and friends, you’ve come to the right place!
Why You’ll Love This Mongolian Meatballs
These Mongolian meatballs recipe are not just tasty; they are also incredibly versatile. Here’s why you’ll love them:
- Quick to prepare for a busy weeknight meal.
- Great for meal prep, perfect for storing and reheating.
- Can be served with rice for a hearty dinner or noodles for a unique twist.
- Gluten-free option available with simple substitutions.
- Easy to adjust spice levels for those who prefer a milder taste.
- Offers a sweet and savory flavor profile that appeals to everyone.
Plus, they’re an authentic Mongolian meatballs dish that showcases rich flavors without being overly complicated. Enjoying these meatballs will surely become a cherished tradition!
Ingredients for Mongolian Meatballs
Gather these items:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup water
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 2 teaspoons ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons water
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 1 green onion, sliced, for garnish
How to Make Mongolian Meatballs Step-by-Step
- Step 1: In a medium-size bowl, combine ground beef, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, chili flakes, brown sugar, grated garlic, and grated ginger. Beat until the meat becomes sticky. Add breadcrumbs, egg, and chopped green onions, mixing thoroughly.
- Step 2: Shape the mixture into 24 heaping tablespoon-sized meatballs. Grease your palms lightly to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, water, grated garlic, and grated ginger. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.
- Step 4: In another bowl, mix cornstarch and water until fully combined. Set aside.
- Step 5: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add canola oil. Place the meatballs in the pan with space between them. Cook undisturbed until browned on the bottoms. Flip the meatballs to brown most sides evenly.
- Step 6: Reduce heat to medium. Push browned meatballs to one side and absorb excess fat with paper towels.
- Step 7: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes while stirring the meatballs to coat them with the sauce.
- Step 8: Lower heat to medium-low. Stir the cornstarch slurry and swirl it into the pan. Cook until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat.
- Step 9: Sprinkle sliced green onions over the meatballs.
- Step 10: Serve hot over steamed rice.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Mongolian Meatballs
Keep these in mind:
- Adjust chili flakes according to your spice preference.
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
- Try adding sesame seeds for an authentic touch.
Best Ways to Serve Mongolian Meatballs
These meatballs are fantastic on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions:
- Serve them over steamed rice for a hearty meal.
- Pair with noodles for a delicious twist.
- Top with extra green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor.
How to Store and Reheat Mongolian Meatballs
For meal prep, store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm them in a skillet over low heat until heated through. This method retains the meatballs’ tender texture and delicious sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mongolian Meatballs
What are Mongolian meatballs?
Mongolian meatballs are savory meatballs made primarily with ground beef, flavored with a sweet and tangy sauce. They showcase a unique flavor profile that is both comforting and satisfying.
Can I make Mongolian meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare Mongolian beef meatballs ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Just reheat them before serving for a quick meal.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Mongolian meatballs?
To avoid common mistakes, ensure the meat mixture is well combined but not overworked. Also, monitor the cooking time to prevent drying out the meatballs.
Variations of Mongolian Meatballs You Can Try
Feel free to experiment with these variations:
- Make spicy Mongolian meatballs by adding more chili flakes or hot sauce.
- Try baked Mongolian meatballs for a healthier option.
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter twist.

For more tips on meal prep, check out our meal prep guide to make your cooking experience smoother.
Additionally, if you’re interested in exploring more about Mongolian cuisine, visit this article for insights.
Finally, for a deeper understanding of the ingredients used in this dish, you can refer to this resource that explains their benefits.
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Delicious Mongolian Meatballs with Sweet Sauce
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 24 meatballs 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Mongolian Meatballs are a flavorful and savory dish featuring juicy ground beef meatballs glazed in a sweet and tangy sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup water
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 2 teaspoons ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons water
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 1 green onion, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium-size bowl, combine ground beef, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, chili flakes, brown sugar, grated garlic, and grated ginger. Beat until the meat becomes sticky. Add breadcrumbs, egg, and chopped green onions, mixing thoroughly.
- Shape the mixture into 24 heaping tablespoon-sized meatballs. Grease your palms lightly to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, water, grated garlic, and grated ginger. Stir well to dissolve the sugar.
- In another bowl, mix cornstarch and water until fully combined. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add canola oil. Place the meatballs in the pan with space between them. Cook undisturbed until browned on the bottoms. Flip the meatballs to brown most sides evenly.
- Reduce heat to medium. Push browned meatballs to one side and absorb excess fat with paper towels.
- Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes while stirring the meatballs to coat them with the sauce.
- Lower heat to medium-low. Stir the cornstarch slurry and swirl it into the pan. Cook until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat.
- Sprinkle sliced green onions over the meatballs.
- Serve hot over steamed rice.
Notes
- Adjust chili flakes according to your spice preference.
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Mongolian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Mongolian Meatballs