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Spicy Sriracha Beef Meatballs

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By Monica Fields • February 1st, 2026
Golden-brown Spicy Sriracha Beef Meatballs with Sesame rest on a platter, glazed with a sticky red sauce and garnished with green onions. Save to Pinterest
Golden-brown Spicy Sriracha Beef Meatballs with Sesame rest on a platter, glazed with a sticky red sauce and garnished with green onions. | sizzlelane.com

These beef meatballs blend ground beef with minced garlic, fresh ginger, and vibrant sriracha for a bold, spicy flavor. Baked to tender perfection, they're coated in a sweet-spicy sauce made from honey, soy, and toasted sesame oil, then sprinkled with nutty sesame seeds and fresh green onions. Ideal for sharing as a flavorful appetizer or main dish, the method is straightforward – mix, shape, bake, and toss with sauce for an irresistible finish. A perfect balance of heat and sweetness with an Asian fusion touch.

The kitchen filled with this incredible garlicky heat the first time I made these meatballs, and my roommate actually poked her head in to ask what smelled so amazing. We ended up eating half the batch straight off the baking sheet while they were still too hot to handle properly.

I brought these to a friend's housewarming party last winter, and honestly, the platter was empty within ten minutes. People kept asking me for the recipe, which is always the best sign that you've found something worth making again.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: The fat content here keeps these meatballs incredibly juicy while the bold seasonings shine through
  • Fresh ginger and garlic: These aromatics are absolutely non negotiable for that authentic Asian flavor profile
  • Sriracha: Use your favorite brand here because the quality really comes through in both the meatballs and glaze
  • Honey: This perfectly balances the heat while creating that gorgeous sticky coating everyone loves
  • Toasted sesame oil: The nutty finish ties everything together and adds such depth to the final dish

Instructions

Get everything ready:
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup
Mix the meatballs:
Combine all the meatball ingredients in a large bowl, mixing gently until just combined because overworking makes them tough
Shape them up:
Form the mixture into 20 small meatballs and place them on your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each
Bake until browned:
Cook the meatballs for 15 to 18 minutes until they're cooked through and have developed a nice golden brown exterior
Make the glaze:
Whisk together the sriracha, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small saucepan over medium low heat until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes
Coat and serve:
Toss the hot meatballs in the glaze until well coated, then sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onions, and fresh cilantro before serving
A close-up shows Spicy Sriracha Beef Meatballs with Sesame, revealing juicy interiors and toasted sesame seeds on a dark serving dish. Save to Pinterest
A close-up shows Spicy Sriracha Beef Meatballs with Sesame, revealing juicy interiors and toasted sesame seeds on a dark serving dish. | sizzlelane.com

These became our go to Friday night dinner during a particularly stressful month at work. Something about the combination of hands on mixing time and that final spicy glaze just made everything feel better.

Making Ahead

You can totally shape the meatballs the night before and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Just let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before baking so they cook evenly.

Serving Ideas

I've served these over steamed jasmine rice, tucked inside lettuce cups for a lighter option, and even as protein bowls with quick pickled vegetables. They're ridiculously versatile for meal prep too.

Spice Level Tips

Start with less sriracha if you're sensitive to heat, or add a splash more honey to tame the fire. You can always serve extra sriracha on the side for the brave souls who want more kick.

  • Let the glaze cool for just a minute before tossing because it's incredibly hot right off the stove
  • If the sauce gets too thick, whisk in a teaspoon of warm water to loosen it up
  • These reheat beautifully in a 180°C (350°F) oven for about 10 minutes
Spicy Sriracha Beef Meatballs with Sesame are piled high in a white bowl, ready to be enjoyed as a main course or appetizer. Save to Pinterest
Spicy Sriracha Beef Meatballs with Sesame are piled high in a white bowl, ready to be enjoyed as a main course or appetizer. | sizzlelane.com

Hope these bring as much joy to your table as they've brought to mine over the years.

Recipe FAQs

Lower the amount of sriracha used both in the meatball mixture and the glaze. You can also add a touch more honey to balance the spice.

Yes, ground turkey or chicken work well as alternatives for a lighter version while maintaining flavor and texture.

Use a small scoop or spoon to portion the mixture, then gently roll between your palms for uniform size and cooking.

Mix ingredients carefully without overworking the meat and bake just until cooked through to retain juiciness.

Steamed rice, lettuce cups, or a crisp salad pair nicely, balancing the rich and spicy flavors.

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Golden-brown Spicy Sriracha Beef Meatballs with Sesame rest on a platter, glazed with a sticky red sauce and garnished with green onions.
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Spicy Sriracha Beef Meatballs

Juicy beef balls infused with garlic and ginger, glazed with spicy-sweet sriracha sauce and sesame seeds.

Prep 20m
Cook 20m
Total 40m
Servings 4
Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

  • 1.1 lb ground beef
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp sriracha sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Sauce

  • 3 tbsp sriracha sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

For Garnish

  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 tbsp green onions, thinly sliced
  • Fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions

1
Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2
Combine Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, garlic, ginger, onion, sriracha, soy sauce, cilantro, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined; do not overwork.
3
Shape Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 20 small meatballs and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
4
Bake Meatballs: Bake meatballs for 15–18 minutes, or until cooked through and browned.
5
Prepare the Sauce: While meatballs bake, whisk together sriracha, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low, stirring, until slightly thickened (about 3 minutes).
6
Coat Meatballs: Remove meatballs from the oven and transfer to a large bowl. Pour the hot sauce over the meatballs and toss gently to coat.
7
Garnish and Serve: Arrange meatballs on a serving platter. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, green onions, and extra cilantro if desired. Serve hot.
Additional Information

Equipment Needed

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Measuring spoons

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories 340
Protein 26g
Carbs 18g
Fat 18g

Allergy Information

  • Contains egg, soy (soy sauce), wheat (breadcrumbs, soy sauce may contain wheat), sesame
  • Check all packaged ingredient labels for potential hidden allergens
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Monica Fields

Home cook sharing quick, nourishing recipes & helpful kitchen tips.