Mоngolian cuisinе , famous for big flavors and simple ingredients , got fans all over the world . It’s mostly shaped by a nomad way of life where people move around a lot . They use lots of meats , dairy , and root veggies . One cool thing from this food style is meаtballs , which now show up everywhere , from Italy to Sweden . They’re tasty , filling , and kinda universal .
Today we’ll talk about a fun spin on this classic : Easy Mongolian Meatballs . It mixes real Mongolian tastes with a recipe anyone can do . If you want to try bold new dishes at home or just need something quick that wows your friends , these meatballs are a solid pick . Let’s check out why they’re so great and how you can make them yourself .
What are Mongolian Meatballs?
Mоngolian meаtballs are a neat mix of hearty meat and strong spices that come from Mongolia’s food roots . They usually use beef or mutton , since herders there kept sheep and cows with them . Meatballs like this have been around in lots of places , but Mongolian ones have their own spin with special seasonings .
The big thing that makes them different is the flavor mix and how they’re made . Italian or Swedish meatballs often have bread crumbs and fancy herbs , but Mongolian ones keep it simple . They lean on soy sauce , garlic , and ginger to give a deep , earthy taste . That way you still taste the meat but get a zippy kick , too .
Ingredients for Easy Mongolian Meatballs
To make these you just need some basic stuff that shows off Mongolian taste . Pick your meat : ground beef , chicken , or pork all work fine . Then grab eggs to hold it together and breadcrumbs if you want them extra tender .
Now for the sauce — it’s the star . Soy sauce gives it that umami punch . Brown sugar brings in sweetness so it’s not too salty . Garlic and ginger add layers of flavor that mix as it cooks . All together you get a shiny glaze on the meatballs that tastes awesome .
Ingredients for Easy Mongolian Meatballs
To make these you just need some basic stuff that shows off Mongolian taste . Pick your meat : ground beef , chicken , or pork all work fine . Then grab eggs to hold it together and breadcrumbs if you want them extra tender .
Now for the sauce — it’s the star . Soy sauce gives it that umami punch . Brown sugar brings in sweetness so it’s not too salty . Garlic and ginger add layers of flavor that mix as it cooks . All together you get a shiny glaze on the meatballs that tastes awesome .
Recipe for Easy Mongolian Meatballs
Preparation Time
Total time for prep and cook : about 30 minutes .
Cooking Instructions
1. Preparing the Mixture
In a big bowl , mix ground meat , eggs , breadcrumbs , soy sauce , chopped garlic , and grated ginger . Stir or squish with your hands till it looks all blended . Don’t overmix though , or they get tough .
2. Forming Meatballs
Take a spoonful of the mix and roll it into balls with your hands . Try to make them all the same size so they cook evenly . Line them up on a baking sheet or plate as you go .
3. Cooking the Meatballs
You can bake or fry them . To bake , heat oven to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 20–25 minutes till done . To fry , warm some oil in a pan over medium heat and cook meatballs about 6–8 minutes , turning so they brown all around .
4. Making the Sauce
In a small pot over medium heat , put soy sauce , brown sugar , garlic , and ginger . Stir and let it bubble for about 5 minutes . It should get a bit thicker . Taste and tweak if you want more sweet or salty .
5. Serving Suggestions
When meatballs are ready , toss them in the sauce so they’re all coated . Serve over rice , with stir-fried veggies , or in wraps . Top with chopped green onions for a fresh kick .
Easy Mongolian Meatballs
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 parchment paper optional
- 1 large skillet
- 1 measuring cups and spoons
- 1 cooking spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup green onions, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, green onions, egg, garlic powder, ginger powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until cooked through.
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the soy sauce and brown sugar, stirring to combine. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water until smooth. Add the cornstarch mixture to the sauce, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens (about 2-3 minutes).
- Once the meatballs are done baking, add them to the skillet with the sauce, gently coating them in the glaze. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve the Mongolian meatballs hot, garnished with additional green onions if desired. Enjoy!
