These crowd-pleasing Sweet and Tangy Meatballs cook up in no time with a homemade sticky teriyaki sauce. They make a sensational appetizer for a party or dinner idea when served over rice and broccoli.

We love appetizers and dips around here, and we’re especially fond of our Homemade Pizza Rolls, White Chili Bean Queso Dip, and of course Pub-Style Beer Cheese Dip.

Easy Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs in white bowl

Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs

Time to get the party started!! 

Let’s face it, parties of all shapes and sizes can often be filled with the same old appetizers over and over again. While I will never ever turn down a buffalo chicken dip or some chips and guac, sometimes I want a little variety in my appetizer life. 

That’s why now whenever I have a party to host or attend my go to is always these sweet and tangy Asian meatballs with teriyaki sauce! They are the perfect appetizer to wow the socks off of anyone who tries them, and they are a sure-fire crowd pleaser. 

The perfectly spiced teriyaki meatballs, mixed with a thick and flavorful sauce accompanied by just the right amount of sweet to tangy ratio make this an appetizer that dreams are made of. You won’t believe your eyes as you watch them fly off the platter. You might want to save yourself now and just plan on making a double batch. 

Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs appetizer on a tray

How To Make Asian Meatballs

(full printable recipe at end of this post)

Bake frozen meatballs according to package directions. While the meatballs are in the oven, prepare the teriyaki sauce. In a large deep fry pan, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and sriracha sauce. Bring the mixture to a low simmer, then reduce the heat and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Remove the meatballs from the oven. Add meatballs to a pan with sauce and gently roll to coat with sauce. Let meatballs simmer in sauce on low for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to move meatballs around.

Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs

Alternate Ways To Prepare Your Asian Teriyaki Meatballs Recipe

In a slow cooker: If you want to turn this into a dish you can prepare while focusing on other things, then just follow these simple modifications and make your dish in the slow cooker! 

Just simply place your frozen meatballs in a slow cooker. Then in a small bowl, mix all of the ingredients for your teriyaki sauce. Pour it over meatballs, mix until coated and cook on low for 2 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally.

As the main course: Who says Asian meatballs have to just be an appetizer? I love making this as an easy weeknight dinner with just a few quickly prepped additions.

After the teriyaki meatballs are ready just serve them over your favorite style rice (we love the uncle ben’s jasmine rice). Then add a green veggie, like roasted broccoli and now you have a meal that everyone will enjoy! 

With homemade meatballs: If you want to really make this recipe from scratch then try your hand at making some homemade meatballs with this simple recipe!

(See the bottom of the post for the full original recipe and directions.)

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Using a wooden spoon, stir until well combined. Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, forming about 20 meatballs.
Place meatballs onto the baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes, or until all sides are browned.

Asian Meatballs with toothpicks for appetizer

How To Wow Your Guests With The Best Meatball Appetizers

Keep them warm: To ensure every guest is getting that straight out of the pan, warm meatball, keep them warm in a slow cooker. This is the perfect way to keep that at a consistently low temperature without continuing to cook the meatballs and ruin them. 

Serve on a platter: If you’re serving a smaller crowd simply serve them on a platter with toothpicks and extra teriyaki sauce on the side for dipping. Everyone loves a good presentation, and this trick will make every feel like they are at a sophisticated cocktail party. 

Dress them up: For a restaurant quality appearance, don’t forget to dress up your dish with a little garnish at the end. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh parsley makes all the difference. 

Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs appetizer in a bowl

Can I Store These Asian Meatballs For Later?

Of course, you can! here is your one-stop shop for all the ways to store your teriyaki meatballs.

How long do cooked meatballs last in the fridge?

Refrigerate meatballs within two hours of cooking. To maximize the shelf life of cooked meatballs for safety and quality, refrigerate the meatballs in shallow airtight containers or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Properly stored, cooked meatballs will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

How long do cooked meatballs last in the freezer?

To get an even longer shelf life out of your meatballs, freeze them. Freeze in a covered airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Another option is to wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap. Properly stored, they will stay fresh for 3 to 4 months.

How long do cooked meatballs last after being frozen and thawed?

Cooked teriyaki meatballs that have been thawed in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

serving Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs appetizer

Don’t Stop Here! Check Out Even More Delicious Finger Foods

BBQ Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites Get your taste buds ready for Sweet Heat BBQ Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites! With a touch of chipotle chili powder and sweet BBQ sauce, this appetizer is mouth-watering delicious!

Homemade Pretzel Bites Homemade soft pretzel bites with buttery parmesan topping are as easy to make as they are to eat! Served with zesty marinara dipping sauce.

Cheesy Olive Bites They are cocktail party perfect! Just bite into one of these sharp cheddar shortbread wrapped gems and be surprised by a pimento stuffed cocktail olive

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Crowd-pleasing meatballs with ranch have all the flavors of buffalo hot wings, without the guilt. If you’re a fan of buffalo chicken wings, you’re going to want this finger-lickin’ good recipe.

Cheesy Spinach Wontons Made quick & easy in about 15 minutes. This simple air fryer recipe makes this delicious appetizer effortless for game day, holidays & parties!

Like This Asian Meatballs Recipe? Pin It!pinterest-image

Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs photo collage

A Party Appetizer No One Will Forget!

Add a little pizazz to your next gathering or event with these sweet and tangy Asian meatballs! Party appetizers will never be the same from the moment you bite into one of one of these flavorful snacks! My family snatched them up in a matter of seconds and I’m sure yours will too!

Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs on a platter
Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs appetizer in a bowl

Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs

Yield: 4-6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Sweet and Tangy Asian Meatballs cook up in no time with a homemade sticky teriyaki sauce. They make a sensational appetizer for a party or dinner idea when served over rice and broccoli.

Ingredients

  • 1 (around 30 count size)bag frozen meatballs
  • 2/3 cup Hoisin sauce
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2½ teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional garnish)
  • fresh parshley, chopped (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bake the meatballs according to package directions.
  2. While the meatballs are in the oven, prepare the sauce.
  3. In a large deep fry pan (mine is non-stick) set over medium heat, combine Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and Sriracha sauce. Bring the mixture to a low simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Remove the meatballs from the oven. Add meatballs to pan with sauce and gently roll to coat with sauce. Let meat balls simmer in sauce on low for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to move meatballs around.
  5. For appetizer, serve garnished on a platter or bowl with toothpicks. If you have extra sauce, pour it in a bowl for dipping.
  6. For meal, serve meatballs in a bowl covered in extra sauce and garnished alongside a bowl of rice and favorite veggie.

Notes

For a party, you could keep these warm in a crockpot on low. If you're going to do this, I would double the sauce so they don't dry out in the slow cooker.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 117Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 1177mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 2gSugar: 9gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

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