These juicy, baked BBQ hen meatballs are tossed in a candy and savory Japanese BBQ sauce. They’re simple to make, and excellent for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or social gathering appetizers!
I used to be planning to make my buffalo hen 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 attempt that as a substitute?
Let me simply say… it was an excellent name. These BBQ hen meatballs turned out so flavorful, and each kiddos devoured them with out a single grievance (which, let’s be sincere, seems like a small miracle). They have been such successful, 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 hen meatballs are made with easy elements, 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 children. This one checks all of the containers. The meatballs are tender, filled with daring, smoky-sweet taste, and really feel far more enjoyable than your common weeknight dinner. Better part? Every part 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!
Components Wanted
- floor hen – the protein-packed base of the meatballs. I like utilizing floor hen for a lighter, leaner choice, nevertheless it nonetheless seems tremendous moist and flavorful.
- Japanese BBQ sauce – this offers the meatballs their daring, sweet-savory taste. Not like 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 Authentic Sauce, however any selection you’re keen on will work. Use their gluten-free model if wanted.
- egg – helps bind every thing collectively so the meatballs maintain their form whereas baking.
- yellow onion – provides moisture and taste. You may also use the white a part of a inexperienced onion in the event you desire a milder style.
- almond flour – retains the meatballs gluten-free and helps them keep tender. You may sub with ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs if that’s what you’ve got readily 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 a giant distinction!
Change It Up!
These BBQ hen meatballs are tremendous versatile, and there are many simple methods to modify them up relying on what you’re craving or what you’ve obtained 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’re keen on. Or make my selfmade wholesome BBQ sauce — it’s made with pantry staples and no refined sugar!
- Change up the protein: Floor beef or floor turkey works simply as nicely if that’s what you’ve got readily available. You would additionally attempt my baked turkey meatballs for a distinct model.
Tips on how to Make BBQ Hen Meatballs
Step 1: In a big bowl, mix the bottom hen, Japanese BBQ sauce, egg, onion, almond flour, and seasonings.
Step 2: Scoop and roll the combination into meatballs utilizing your arms (moist your arms 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 means of.
Step 4: Toss the baked meatballs in additional BBQ sauce and serve heat.
Brittany’s Recipe Ideas!
Just some easy suggestions 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 every thing 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 arms).
- Moist your arms: If the combination feels sticky, dampen your arms with a bit of water. It makes rolling method simpler and smoother.
- Line your pan: Parchment paper or a silicone mat retains cleanup fast and prevents sticking.
- Examine the temp: In case you have a meat thermometer, search for 165ºF within the heart.
Serving Options
These BBQ hen meatballs are the form of recipe that works nearly wherever. I really like making a giant 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 improper strategy 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 choice
- As a celebration app, add them to a sluggish cooker with additional sauce and carry on heat for sport day or gatherings.
Tips on 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 means of.
Additionally they freeze nicely! Place the cooked and cooled meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze till stable, then switch to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll maintain 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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