Honey Sriracha Glazed Meatballs

Introduction

There’s something magical about the combination of sweet and spicy. It’s one of those flavor pairings that just works—like peanut butter and jelly or chocolate and chili. And when it comes to meatballs, this combo becomes something totally irresistible. Meet my Honey Sriracha Glazed Meatballs—the perfect blend of sticky-sweet honey and spicy, tangy sriracha, all wrapped up in a tender, juicy meatball.

These meatballs are an absolute hit every time I make them. Whether you’re making them for a weeknight dinner, prepping them for game day snacks, or serving them at a party, they always disappear in a flash. There’s just something about that glossy glaze that makes them impossible to resist. The spicy kick from the sriracha is balanced perfectly by the sweetness of the honey, creating a sauce that’s bold and addictive.

I first stumbled upon the idea of a honey-sriracha combo a few years ago at a dinner party. Someone made honey sriracha chicken wings, and I was instantly hooked. After experimenting with the flavors, I decided to try it with meatballs—and let me tell you, it was a game changer. These meatballs quickly became one of my family’s favorite dishes. My kids love them for the sweetness, and I love the kick from the sriracha.

This recipe is super simple to make but packs so much flavor. Plus, it’s a great way to mix things up from the usual marinara sauce. So, let’s get cooking and dive into the sweet-and-spicy magic that is honey sriracha glazed meatballs!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why you absolutely have to try these honey sriracha glazed meatballs:

Perfect balance of sweet and spicy: The combination of honey and sriracha is a match made in heaven. The honey adds a rich sweetness that complements the heat from the sriracha, making these meatballs wonderfully complex and irresistible.
Quick and easy: This recipe takes less than 40 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The sauce is super simple to whip up, and the meatballs are easy to shape and bake.
Family-friendly: These meatballs are a hit with both kids and adults. If your kids are a little sensitive to spice, you can easily adjust the amount of sriracha in the glaze to suit their tastes. For those who love a bit of heat, feel free to turn it up!
Great for meal prep or parties: These meatballs are perfect for making ahead and reheating throughout the week. They’re also fantastic for parties, game day, or any casual get-together. Serve them with toothpicks, and you’ve got a crowd-pleaser!

The honey sriracha glaze really takes these meatballs to the next level. It’s the kind of sauce you’ll want to drizzle over everything once you taste it. And the meatballs themselves are so juicy and flavorful, you’ll wonder how something so simple can taste so amazing!

Preparation Time and Servings

Total Time: 35 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: Makes about 18-20 meatballs (serves 4-6 people)
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Calories: 350
Protein: 20g
Carbs: 22g
Fat: 22g

Ingredients

To make these sweet and spicy honey sriracha glazed meatballs, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the meatballs:

1 lb ground beef or chicken: Ground beef gives a richer flavor, while ground chicken keeps things lighter. You can also use a mix of both!
1/2 cup breadcrumbs: This helps bind the meatballs and gives them a nice texture.
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a little salty, umami kick to the meatballs.
1 large egg: To hold everything together.
2 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic adds that savory depth of flavor that makes meatballs so delicious.
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated: A touch of ginger enhances the overall flavor, giving a fresh zing that complements the sriracha.
Salt and pepper: For seasoning, don’t skimp—these little guys need flavor!

For the honey sriracha glaze:

1/4 cup honey: Adds that perfect sweetness and gives the glaze a sticky, rich texture.
2 tbsp sriracha sauce: The star of the show! You can adjust the heat level based on your preference.
1 tbsp soy sauce: A little salty richness to balance the sweetness.
1 tsp rice vinegar: To add a bit of acidity and brightness to the glaze.
1 tsp sesame oil: This gives the glaze a deep, nutty flavor that rounds out the sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup or lightly grease it to prevent the meatballs from sticking.
Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef (or chicken), breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until well combined. Don’t overwork the mixture, as this can make the meatballs tough. You want to keep them light and tender.
Form the meatballs: Take a small amount of the mixture (about a tablespoon’s worth) and gently roll it into a ball. Place each meatball onto the prepared baking sheet. You should get around 18-20 meatballs, depending on size.
Bake the meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown on the outside and cooked through on the inside. You can check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer—it should read 160°F (71°C) for beef or 165°F (74°C) for chicken.
Prepare the honey sriracha glaze: While the meatballs are baking, whisk together the honey, sriracha sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for 3-5 minutes, until the glaze thickens slightly. Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or heat to your liking. If you want it sweeter, add a little more honey. If you want more heat, add extra sriracha.
Glaze the meatballs: Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven. Drizzle the warm honey sriracha glaze over the meatballs, or toss them gently in a bowl to coat them evenly. Make sure every meatball gets a nice coating of that sweet, spicy goodness!
Garnish and serve: Garnish the meatballs with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a little extra flavor and crunch. Serve the meatballs hot, and get ready for everyone to devour them.

How to Serve

Over rice: Serve these glazed meatballs over a bed of white or brown rice to soak up all that delicious glaze. A simple stir-fry or roasted vegetables on the side makes this a complete meal.
With noodles: You can toss these meatballs with your favorite noodles, like soba or ramen, for a noodle bowl full of flavor.
As appetizers: Serve these meatballs with toothpicks for a perfect party appetizer. They’re the ideal snack for game day or any casual gathering.

Additional Tips

Use lean meat: If you’re using ground beef, opt for lean or extra-lean beef for a healthier option. If you use ground chicken or turkey, they will absorb the glaze wonderfully.
Make the glaze ahead: You can prepare the honey sriracha glaze ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week. It makes the whole recipe come together even faster!
Adjust the heat: The level of spice in this recipe is easily customizable. Start with 2 tablespoons of sriracha for a balanced heat, and add more if you like it spicier. If you’re serving it to kids, you can reduce the sriracha to 1 tablespoon or omit it entirely and replace it with a mild chili sauce.
Keep the meatballs tender: To ensure your meatballs stay tender, don’t overmix the meat mixture. Overworking the meat can result in dense, tough meatballs. Be gentle when shaping them, and they’ll turn out perfectly.
Add a crunch: If you want to add a little texture to your dish, try sprinkling some toasted sesame seeds or chopped peanuts over the meatballs before serving.

Recipe Variations

Vegetarian option: You can make these meatballs vegetarian by substituting the ground meat with cooked lentils, quinoa, or a combination of finely chopped mushrooms and beans. Add extra spices to make up for the lack of meat flavor.
Gluten-free: For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or even ground oats. You could also use almond flour for a low-carb alternative.
Spicy variations: If you want to turn up the heat, add a diced fresh chili (like Thai bird’s eye chili) to the glaze or meatball mixture. For an extra fiery kick, you can drizzle with chili oil.
Sweet and savory twist: Add a teaspoon of peanut butter to the glaze for a creamy, nutty flavor that works wonderfully with the honey and sriracha.

Serving Suggestions

Side Dishes: Pair these meatballs with a fresh cucumber salad, roasted vegetables, or crispy Asian-style slaw. The refreshing, crunchy veggies balance out the richness of the meatballs and glaze.
Rice: As mentioned earlier, serve these meatballs over jasmine rice or brown rice. You could also make a fried rice with some of the leftover meatball sauce for a fun twist.
For Kids: Serve these meatballs with soft dinner rolls or on skewers for a fun, hands-on meal that’s sure to be a hit with the little ones.

Freezing and Storage

Storage: Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little bit of water or broth to keep them moist.
Freezing: If you want to make a big batch and freeze some for later, cook the meatballs and allow them to cool completely. Then, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the meatballs to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They’ll stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake them at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

Special Equipment

Baking Sheet with Parchment Paper: Helps prevent the meatballs from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Small Saucepan: For making the honey sriracha glaze. You can also use a small skillet, but a saucepan works best for evenly heating the glaze.

FAQ Section

Can I use store-bought sriracha sauce? Yes, store-bought sriracha works just fine. Just be sure to taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or spice level if needed.
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time? Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking them. You can also freeze uncooked meatballs for up to 3 months.
What if I don’t have honey? You can substitute the honey with maple syrup, agave nectar, or a brown sugar and water mixture for a similar sweet effect.
Can I bake the meatballs instead of frying them? Yes! In fact, baking the meatballs is a healthier option and still gives them that nice golden brown color.

Conclusion

These Honey Sriracha Glazed Meatballs are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you serve them over rice, on their own as appetizers, or in a sandwich, they’re sure to satisfy your cravings for something sweet, spicy, and utterly delicious. The simple yet flavorful glaze elevates the humble meatball, and the best part is how easy they are to make.

You’ll love the balance of heat and sweetness, and with just a few pantry staples, you can make a dish that feels both comforting and exciting. If you’ve never made honey sriracha glazed meatballs before, I promise you won’t regret it! Give them a try and watch your family or guests come back for more. Enjoy!