Maple Glazed Meatballs Recipe
Maple Glazed Meatballs offer a delightful combination of savory and sweet flavors, featuring tender baked meatballs coated in a sticky maple syrup glaze with hints of soy sauce and mustard. This easy-to-make appetizer or main dish is perfect for parties, weeknight dinners, or meal prep.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 meatballs (serves 4-6) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef or mix of beef and pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 small onion, finely minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Maple Glaze:
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 tbsp soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, finely minced onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to ensure the meatballs are tender.
- Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into small meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Arrange them evenly spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the Meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the meatballs for 18 to 20 minutes until they are cooked through and golden brown on the outside.
- Make the Maple Glaze: While the meatballs bake, whisk together the pure maple syrup, soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly.
- Coat the Meatballs: Once baked, transfer the meatballs to the saucepan with the glaze. Toss them carefully to ensure each meatball is evenly coated with the sticky maple sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives for a touch of color and freshness. Serve the meatballs warm as an appetizer or over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- These meatballs can be made ahead and reheated in a slow cooker with extra glaze for convenient party serving.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- Serve the meatballs with rice, noodles, or with toothpicks as a party appetizer.
- Use pure maple syrup for authentic flavor; avoid artificial pancake syrups.
- For extra tenderness and flavor, combine ground beef with ground pork in the meatballs.
- The glaze can be prepared slightly ahead to deepen the flavors before coating the meatballs.
Keywords: Maple glazed meatballs, baked meatballs, party appetizer, sweet and savory meatballs, easy meatball recipe