These juicy, baked BBQ rooster meatballs are tossed in a candy and savory Japanese BBQ sauce. They’re straightforward to make, and ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or celebration appetizers!
I used to be planning to make my buffalo rooster meatballs one evening for dinner, however realized I wanted one thing much less spicy and a bit 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 rooster meatballs turned out so flavorful, and each kiddos devoured them and not using a single grievance (which, let’s be sincere, looks like a small miracle). They have been such a success, I knew I needed to share the recipe with you!
Why You Gotta Strive This One
This recipe has simply turn into a brand new favourite in our home. These BBQ rooster meatballs are made with easy elements, baked within the oven (no frying mess!), and coated in a candy and savory Japanese BBQ sauce. I 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 youngsters. This one checks all of the packing containers. The meatballs are tender, stuffed with daring, smoky-sweet taste, and really feel far more enjoyable than your common weeknight dinner. Better part? All the pieces 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!
Elements Wanted
- floor rooster – the protein-packed base of the meatballs. I like utilizing floor rooster for a lighter, leaner choice, however 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 normally 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 Unique Sauce, however any selection you like will work. Use their gluten-free model if wanted.
- egg – helps bind every little thing collectively so the meatballs maintain their form whereas baking.
- yellow onion – provides moisture and taste. You can too use the white a part of a inexperienced onion in the event you favor a milder style.
- almond flour – retains the meatballs gluten-free and helps them keep tender. You possibly can sub with ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs if that’s what you’ve 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!
Swap It Up!
These BBQ rooster meatballs are tremendous versatile, and there are many straightforward methods to change 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 happy to make use of any store-bought BBQ sauce you like. Or make my selfmade wholesome BBQ sauce — it’s made with pantry staples and no refined sugar!
- Swap up the protein: Floor beef or floor turkey works simply as properly if that’s what you’ve readily available. You would additionally attempt my baked turkey meatballs for a special model.
The best way to Make BBQ Rooster Meatballs
Step 1: In a big bowl, mix the bottom rooster, Japanese BBQ sauce, egg, onion, almond flour, and seasonings.
Step 2: Scoop and roll the combination into meatballs utilizing your palms (moist your palms 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 via.
Step 4: Toss the baked meatballs in additional BBQ sauce and serve heat.
Brittany’s Recipe Suggestions!
Only a few easy ideas 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 little thing simply mixed so the meatballs keep tender, not robust.
- Use a cookie scoop: It makes portioning tremendous straightforward and helps each meatball cook dinner evenly (plus, no messy palms).
- Moist your palms: If the combination feels sticky, dampen your palms with a bit water. It makes rolling approach simpler and smoother.
- Line your pan: Parchment paper or a silicone mat retains cleanup fast and prevents sticking.
- Examine the temp: If in case you have a meat thermometer, search for 165ºF within the middle.
Serving Solutions
These BBQ rooster meatballs are the type of recipe that works nearly wherever. I like making a giant batch for straightforward weeknight dinners, however they’re additionally good for cookouts, recreation days, meal prep, or celebration spreads. Tender, saucy, and tremendous satisfying — there’s actually no flawed option 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 celebration choice
- As a celebration app, add them to a gradual cooker with additional sauce and carry on heat for recreation day or gatherings.
The best way to Retailer & Reheat
Let the meatballs cool utterly, 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 via.
In addition they freeze properly! Place the cooked and cooled meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze till strong, then switch to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll preserve 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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