Hello Fresh Firecracker Meatballs (Print View)
Spicy glazed meatballs over jasmine rice with crisp sautéed vegetables for a bold, crowd-pleasing weeknight meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1.1 pounds ground beef or pork, or a combination
02 - 1 large egg
03 - 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
04 - 2 cloves garlic, finely 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 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 medium bell pepper, thinly sliced
20 - 3.5 ounces green beans, trimmed and halved
21 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
22 - Additional scallions, thinly sliced, for garnish
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 430°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Combine ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, scallions, soy sauce, ginger, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix just until incorporated.
03 - Portion mixture into 16 to 20 small balls. Arrange evenly on baking sheet. Bake for 18–20 minutes, turning once midway, until browned and fully cooked.
04 - Rinse rice with cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce to low, and simmer for 12 minutes. Remove from heat and rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together sriracha, mayonnaise, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until smooth. Set aside.
06 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add carrot, bell pepper, and green beans. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, stirring, until vegetables are crisp-tender. Lightly season with salt.
07 - Once meatballs are cooked, gently toss with about two-thirds of the prepared firecracker sauce until evenly coated.
08 - Serve meatballs over jasmine rice with sautéed vegetables alongside. Drizzle with remaining sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and extra scallions.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The sauce packs a heat that’s addicting, but you control how wild it gets.
- It transforms everyday ground meat and veggies into a weeknight meal with serious personality.
02 -
- Don't overmix the meat—too much handling and they turn tough instead of juicy.
- I once scorched the sauce by leaving it too long on the stove; now I always make it cold, right before serving, for max creaminess.
03 -
- Let the meatball mixture rest five minutes before shaping for juicier results.
- Only drizzle on extra sauce at the table so nothing gets soggy ahead of time.