Today, we’re excited to share a lip-smackin’ recipe that’s gonna take your taste buds on a flavor-packed journey to the Far East. This Broccoli & Meatball Stir-Fry features ginger-infused Asian meatballs with vibrant broccoli florets, bathed in a sassy, sticky-sweet honey garlic sauce, and just a hint of fiery chili flakes to keep things interesting.
Table of contents
Why We Love This Recipe
As Moms to kiddos who seem to have bottomless pits for stomachs, we’re always on the lookout for simple recipes that’ll quell their hunger pangs with minimal effort.
These sticky honey garlic meatballs and charred broccoli are always a favorite — they have the ideal balance of spicy, sweet flavors that even the little ones can enjoy. Best of all, we don’t even have to threaten them with no dessert if they don’t finish. This broccoli & meatball stir-fry is a dinner they all hanker for!
Aside from being a real crowd-pleaser, this Asian Broccoli & Meatball Stir-Fry recipe is also:
- Quick & Easy – It’s ready in just 45 minutes, making it the perfect choice for school nights.
- Wholesome & Hearty – With protein-packed meatballs and plenty of tender veggies, all you need is some steamed rice to round everything out.
- Budget-Friendly – No matter how wild grocery prices get, ground meat is a consistently affordable protein choice. Broccoli and rice never broke the bank, either!
- Perfect For Meal Prep – On those rare occasions that we can actually get ahead on our cooking, this cheap and colorful meal is always a favorite. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for nearly a week!
Ingredients & Substitutions
This simple garlic honey broccoli & meatball stir-fry requires just a few easy-to-find ingredients. Chances are, you already have most of what you need in the pantry:
- Ground Meat of Choice – Asian turkey meatballs, Asian chicken meatballs, Asian pork meatballs, or Asian beef meatballs are all equally delicious. Opt for whatever you have in the fridge or freezer.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce – Using low-sodium soy sauce gives you greater control over the total sodium content of the dish. If you only have regular soy, thin it out in a 1:1 ratio of soy sauce and water.
- Ginger – Fresh is best, but we won’t tell if you swap in either jarred or frozen ginger paste to save time.
- Green Onions – Separate the greens and the whites. The white and pale green parts have the punchiest allium flavor, so we like to add them to the meatball mix. The dark green bits make for a pretty garnish.
- Sesame Oil – This rich, toasty oil adds tons of flavor to the mix. Feel free to swap in a neutral oil like avocado or grapeseed instead.
- Cornstarch – For both helping to brown the ginger meatballs and thickening the honey garlic glaze to perfection. If corn is a no-no, you can use an equal amount of potato starch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot powder instead.
- Honey – To give the glazed meatballs that sticky-sweet finish our kids go nuts for. You’re welcome to swap in maple syrup or agave nectar if needed.
- Broccoli – Feel free to use either fresh or frozen. If you opt for frozen florets, make sure to defrost them in a colander first.
- Garlic – Again, fresh will have the zippiest, spiciest flavor, but we won’t judge if you use the jarred minced kind.
- Chili Flakes – Adding just a touch of heat makes these Asian-style meatballs even more crave-worthy.
- Sesame Seeds – Feel free to use either white or black sesame seeds, or a mix of both. For added nutty flavor, give them a quick toast in a dry pan until they’re golden and fragrant.
- Freshly Cracked Black Pepper – For a little extra spiciness and crunch.
How To Make Honey Glazed Meatballs
This broccoli & meatball stir-fry will be on the table before you know it. Here’s how it’s done:
Step 1: Make Meatballs. Combine the meat, 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon ginger, green onions, and a pinch of pepper in a bowl. Mix until just combined. Coat your hands with oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls. The mix will be wet.
Step 2: Dredge the Meatballs in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to coat. Take the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and mix with 2 tablespoons water, set aside.
Step 3: Make the Honey Glaze. In a glass jar, whisk together 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey, and 1/3 cup water.
Step 4: Sear the Meatballs in a large skillet over medium heat, about 8 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the skillet.
Step 5: Char the Broccoli for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, and chili flakes, and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Step 6: Pour in the Honey Sauce. Bring to a boil, boil 3-4 minutes, then add the meatballs. Toss with the sauce and cook until the sauce starts to thicken. Pour in the cornstarch slurry and cook another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce coats the meatballs.
Step 7: Serve the saucy broccoli meatball stir fry over steamed rice with sesame seeds & green onions. Enjoy!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations
As much as we love this honey garlic broccoli & meatball stir-fry as is, there are plenty of ways for you to make this dinner your own. Here are a few ideas:
- Spicy Honey Sriracha Meatballs – Increase the heat by adding a tablespoon or two of sriracha to the honey glaze. Drizzle on a little extra at the end as a garnish.
- Low-Carb/Keto – Use cauliflower rice instead of regular steamed rice.
- Soy-Free – Swap in coconut aminos or Bragg’s liquid aminos in place of the soy sauce.
- Gluten-Free – Use Tamari or coconut aminos to keep your stir-fry completely celiac-friendly.
Expert Tips
When making honey garlic meatballs, here are some expert tips to consider:
- Combining different types of ground meats, such as ground beef and ground pork, can enhance the flavor and texture of the meatballs. The combination of meats adds complexity and richness to the dish.
- Ensure the meat mixture is well-seasoned with salt, pepper, and other desired herbs and spices. This ensures the meatballs have a flavorful base and are not bland. Consider adding ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or herbs like parsley or thyme to enhance the taste.
- You can choose to either sauté or bake the meatballs, depending on your preference. Sautéing in a skillet can create a nice crust and caramelization on the meatballs, while baking them in the oven can be a healthier option and allows for hands-off cooking.
- Opt for fresh garlic in the honey garlic sauce for maximum flavor. Mince or finely chop the garlic cloves to release their potent flavors into the sauce.
- Achieve a well-balanced honey garlic sauce by adjusting the ratio of honey to soy sauce. Taste the sauce as you go and adjust the sweetness and saltiness according to your preference. You can also add a touch of vinegar or lemon juice to provide a tangy contrast to the sweetness.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, simmer them in the honey garlic sauce for a few minutes to coat them evenly. This allows the meatballs to absorb the flavors of the sauce and develop a glossy glaze.
- Garnish the meatballs with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for added freshness and visual appeal. Serve them as an appetizer, over rice or noodles, or as a main course with a side of vegetables.
FAQs
We think they’re perfect over a bed of simple steamed rice. We generally like to use slightly sticky medium-grain Calrose rice, but any white or brown rice variety will work great.
After you’ve whipped up this scrumptious Asian-Inspired Broccoli & Meatball Stir-Fry, it’s time to think about storage. If you happen to have any leftovers (which is a rare occurrence, trust us!), here’s what you can do:
Transfer the stir-fry to an airtight container and pop it in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. It’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days. Just make sure to reheat it thoroughly before enjoying another helping.
If you want to save some for later, freezing is your best bet. Allow the stir-fry to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bags. Label them with the date and lay them flat in the freezer. It’ll keep well for about 2-3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen stir-fry, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, reheat it in a skillet or wok over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it’s heated through. Add a splash of water or broth if needed to prevent drying out.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Creamy Shrimp & Grits
- Spaghetti Scampi e Spinaci
- Takeout Favorite, Homemade Flavors: Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein
- Easy Keto Jambalaya
If y’all tried this sumptuous recipe for Broccoli & Honey Garlic Meatballs Stir-Fry, holler and let us know how it turned out for you by giving us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and commenting below. You can also always feel free to tag us (@creamcheeseandlemonsqueeze) in your social media posts so we can cheer you on.
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XO,
Anna & Ashley
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey or chicken or beef
- 1 tbsp soy sauce low sodium
- 1 tbsp ginger fresh grated
- 2 green onions chopped
- black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup sesame oil or avocado oil
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 head broccoli large, cut into florets
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger chopped
- chili flakes to taste
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds toasted
Instructions
- To make the meatballs. Combine the meat, 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon ginger, green onions, and a pinch of pepper in a bowl. Mix until just combined. Coat your hands with oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls. The mix will be wet.
- Place 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a bowl. Dredge the meatballs in cornstarch to coat. Take the remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch and mix with 2 tablespoons water, set aside.
- To make the sauce. In a glass jar, whisk together 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey, and 1/3 cup water.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs, cook until seared all around, about 8 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the skillet.
- To the skillet, add the broccoli and cook until lightly charring, 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, and chili flakes, cook 1-2 minutes. Pour in the honey sauce. Bring to a boil, boil 3-4 minutes, then add the meatballs. Toss with the sauce and cook until the sauce starts to thicken. Pour in the cornstarch slurry and cook another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce coats the meatballs.
- Serve the meatballs and sauce over steamed rice with sesame seeds & green onions.To the skillet, add the broccoli and cook until lightly charring, 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, and chili flakes, cook 1-2 minutes. Pour in the honey sauce. Bring to a boil, boil 3-4 minutes, then add the meatballs. Toss with the sauce and cook until the sauce starts to thicken. Pour in the cornstarch slurry and cook another 2-3 minutes, until the sauce coats the meatballs.