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Maple Glazed Meatballs Recipe

4.8 from 141 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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