Why do you add egg to meatballs?

Eggs are a key ingredient in this recipe – they act like glue, helping the meatballs hold their shape. They also add more moisture to the mix, so the meatballs are nice and juicy. Adding some egg is even more important when using store-bought dried breadcrumbs – otherwise, your meat mixture will be too crumbly.

How many meatballs for 100 guests?

For main meals, each meatball should weigh about 1 ounce (~30g), with a recommended serving of 4-5 per person. So, for a crowd of 100 guests, a total of 400-500 meatballs sounds about right. When making smaller party meatballs as part of a party spread, around 200-300 is probably enough.

What makes meatballs stick together better?

Eggs and breadcrumbs are the magic duo that helps meatballs keep their form. The egg is a binder, while breadcrumbs soak up the moisture and add some structure – making your meatballs firm yet juicy. We also use a bit of a culinary secret in this meatball recipe – grated white onion. This little addition further improves our meatballs’ juiciness.

Can I cook the meatballs on the stovetop?

In this easy recipe, we bake the meatballs in the oven. It’s our chosen method because it’s healthier – there’s less oil involved. It’s also less hassle – a bit of parchment paper in your baking pan, and cleanup is easy. However, stovetop cooking works well, too. Just use a large skillet over medium heat, and be sure to keep turning the meatballs so they cook evenly. Add the sauce before the meatballs are fully done so they don’t overcook. A temperature probe will help you cook them just right (160°F or 70°C).

Crockpot Sweet and Spicy Meatballs

Name: Sweet and Spicy Meatballs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 h 10 min
Total time: 3 h 30 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground pork; 1 lb. ground beef; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 3 large garlic cloves, minced; 1/4 cup grated onion (see note); 1/4 cup plain Panko breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; Kosher salt and pepper; 3/4 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup honey; 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp. kosher salt; 1 tsp. ground black pepper; 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (use 1/4 tsp. for less heat); 2 Tbsp. green onion, white and green parts sliced; 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds

Description

These saucy crockpot sweet and spicy meatballs make the best appetizer for large gatherings. The meatballs are quickly broiled and then simmered in a sweet and spicy Asian-inspired sauce!

Ingredients

Units Scale

Meatballs

1 lb. ground pork
1 lb. ground beef
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup grated onion (see note)
1/4 cup plain Panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Kosher salt and pepper

Sauce

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup honey
2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (use 1/4 tsp. for less heat)
2 Tbsp. green onion, white and green parts sliced
1 Tbsp. sesame seeds

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Meatballs

Line one large baking sheet pan or two smaller baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the meatball ingredients. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Form into 1 1/2 inch meatballs and place on the lined sheet pan in a single layer. You should get approximately 35 meatballs. If serving meatballs as an appetizer, roll them into 1-inch balls. This will yield approximately 50 meatballs.
Position the oven rack in the upper third and broil the meatballs for 6-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. Meatballs should be slightly browned on the outside but still raw on the inside. Transfer into a large crockpot.
In a mixing bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients, except for the green onions and sesame seeds. Pour over the meatballs, tossing to coat evenly.
Cook the meatballs on low for 3 hours, mixing halfway through. Serve garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

Onion: Use a box grater with large holes to grate the onion.
To Make Ahead: Broil the meatballs and prepare the sauce the night before. Store covered separately in the refrigerator until ready to be cooked in the crockpot.
Frozen Meatballs: Some of the readers tried using frozen meatballs. Please see the comment section for feedback.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 3-4 meatballs with sauce
Calories: 266
Sugar: 21.5 g
Sodium: 568.6 mg
Fat: 10.5 g
Carbohydrates: 25.7 g
Protein: 17.2 g
Cholesterol: 80.9 mg