Create party-perfect Sweet Chili Meatballs with a sticky, addictive glaze. This simple recipe fixes common flaws, giving you a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that delivers sweet heat every time.
Author:Clara Alena
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:18 minutes
Total Time:33 minutes
Yield:About 24 meatballs
Category:Appetizer
Method:Bake and Glaze
Cuisine:American Fusion
Diet:Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup milk
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, panko breadcrumbs, milk, egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and chopped onion. Mix gently until just combined; do not overmix.
Roll the mixture into small, uniform meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs for 15 to 18 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
While the meatballs bake, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan.
Heat the sauce mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the sauce simmers lightly. Remove from heat.
Place the cooked meatballs in a large bowl. Pour the prepared glaze over the meatballs.
Toss gently until all the meatballs are evenly coated in the sticky sauce.
Serve immediately with toothpicks for easy grabbing.
Notes
Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for safety.
For extra flavor, substitute the milk with buttermilk in the meatball mix.
If you prefer a thicker glaze, simmer the sauce for an extra minute or two until it reduces slightly before tossing.