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Asian Pork Meatballs with Soy Garlic Dipping Sauce

Asian Pork Meatballs made with tender pork, fresh ginger, garlic, cilantro, sesame seeds and serrano peppers and a soy garlic dipping sauce. They make a great party appetizer or main dish!

Meatballs are always a big hit. Whether you’re serving the classic Spaghetti and Meatballs, Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs for your Christmas celebrations or decadent Meatballs in Mushroom Cream Sauce, they are always a crowd pleaser.

Maybe because it’s because they are bite sized. Or because they are so easy to make. Or maybe, just maybe it is because meatballs are so freaking delicious.

These Asian Pork Meatballs are no different. My family loved these babies! They are great to serve at parties, as a main dish or make them ahead of time and keep them in the freezer for a quick weeknight dinner.

What ingredients do you need for Asian Pork Meatballs: 

Overhead photo of Asian Meatball Ingredients on white background.
  • GROUND PORK: Make sure you buy plain ground pork and not ground pork sausage. 
  • SERRANO PEPPER: This will add some heat. To reduce the heat, remove the seeds from the pepper or use half of the pepper. 
  • ONION/GARLIC: My favorite aromatics to add to any meatballs that I make. The key is to mince them small so that you don’t get big bites of them in the meatballs. 
  • GINGER: You can use fresh or ground in this recipe. Whichever you have on hand. 
  • CILANTRO: It does at a nice flavor to the meatballs, but if you’re one of those people who just can’t do cilantro the meatballs are still good without it!
  • SESAME SEEDS: Add flavor and texture. 
  • EGG/BREADCRUMBS: The combination of these two together is what helps the meatballs stay together. 
  • FISH SAUCE: It adds a depth of flavor to these meatballs.

What ingredients do you need for Asian Meatball Dipping Sauce?

Unlike most meatballs that are coated in a sauce, these meatballs are dipped in sauce. It is really easy to make with just a small handful of ingredients. 

  • SOY SAUCE: The base of the sauce. 
  • RICE VINEGAR: This adds acidity to the sauce. 
  • GRANULATED GARLIC: You can substitute garlic powder but because of the salt in the soy sauce, don’t use garlic salt. 

Step by Step Instructions and Photos: 

STEP #1: Combine all of the meatball ingredients, except oil, together in a bowl. You want it mixed well but try not to overmix or the meatballs will be on the tougher side. Roll into about 20 meatballs. 

STEP #2: Place in a single layer in a baking dish. Drizzle with oil. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 – 30 minutes or until cooked through. 

STEP #3: Meanwhile, why the meatballs are cooking whisk together the sauce ingredients. 

If you are looking for side dishes to serve with these Asian Pork Meatballs, I served these as an entree with Air Fryer Broccoli and garlic rice.

FAQ

Can you fry these meatballs?

When I first made these meatballs I fried and they were great! Simply put enough oil in in a skillet to lightly coat the bottom. Then fry the meatballs, in batches if necessary, until they are golden brown and cooked through. About 8 – 10 minutes total. 

Is there a substitute for Rice Vinegar?

If you don’t have rice vinegar, sherry vinegar is a great substitute.

Can you freeze meatballs?

Yes! Cook the meatballs first and then place them on a cooking sheet in a single layer and freeze until firm. Once they are frozen put them in an air tight container and use them within 1 – 2 months

Note: This post was originally written in 2009. It was updated in 2022 with new photos, tips and nutrition information.

Chopsticks dipping meatball into soy dipping sauce.

Asian Pork Meatballs with Soy Garlic Dipping Sauce

Asian Pork Meatballs are made with tender pork, fresh ginger, garlic, cilantro, sesame seeds and serrano peppers
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Easy Appetizer Recipes, Main Dishes
Cuisine Asian
Servings 5 Servings
Calories 534 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground pork
  • 1/2 cup finely minced onion
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon roasted sesame seeds
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 2 serrano peppers minced
  • 1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
  • 1/4 cup oil

Soy Garlic Dipping Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to warm setting.
  • In a bowl combine all ingredients except oil and dipping sauce. Mix well. Roll into 20 meatballs.
  • Place in a single layer in a baking dish. Drizzle with oil. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes or until cooked through. 
  • Combine all ingredients for soy garlic dipping sauce together in a bowl. Serve with meatballs.

Notes

You can also pan fry these by coating the bottom of a pan lightly with oil. Cook about 8 - 10 minutes being sure to turn the meatballs to brown on all sides. 
Nutrition information for estimation purposes only. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 534kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 27gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 131mgSodium: 1332mgPotassium: 497mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 82IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: cilantro, garlic, meatballs

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Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Katrina
    December 30, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    I LOVE these meatballs. They are my first choice whenever I am asked to bring a dish to a potluck. So easy and delish!

    I bake them in the oven at 350 for 20-25 minutes and then stir them into a glaze/sauce made of sweet chili sauce, plum sauce, soy sauce, granulated garlic, and topped with a sprinkling of chopped green onion, chopped cilantro and toasted sesame seeds. A+ every time.

  • Reply
    Conchi
    August 24, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    I made these for my music jam last night. Yum. Everyone liked them. I thought that frying would take too much time (& I wanted to join the musicians), so I baked them. Be careful…don’t place them too close to each other. What happened was they ended up cooking in their own juices (as if in a covered pot) and I almost have a liquid spilling over the cookie sheet in the oven. But, they were very good and all the guests loved them. Made the garlic rice too. Yum again! Thank you.

    • Reply
      Deseree
      August 24, 2012 at 11:24 pm

      You’re welcome! Glad it was a success :)

  • Reply
    Conchi
    August 22, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    Shannon!!! What delicious garlic rice? Actually, that’s what I’m going to accompany the meatballs with. But, I didn’t know there was a garlic rice recipe here. ???

  • Reply
    Conchi
    August 2, 2012 at 2:14 pm

    I’m hosting a bluegrass jam at the end of August. Going to try these with the recommended stir fried veggies and rice. I think I’ll both brown on the stovestop the day before, and then bake them the day of. Yum!!!

  • Reply
    Shannon
    November 11, 2010 at 9:20 am

    I’ve made these several times and they’re delicious! I brown them on the stove and then bake them in the oven to finish them off. I’m making them again tonight with your delicious garlic rice. Thanks for all the great recipes!

  • Reply
    Kiri
    May 24, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    I love the irony of kosher salt with pork . . . but these look delicious!!

  • Reply
    WindsorTenor
    November 15, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    Made these for dinner tonight. FABULOUS! They were a hit and will back in the lineup for New Year’s Eve this year!

    • Reply
      Deseree
      November 15, 2009 at 6:17 pm

      WindsorTenor- Thank you! I am happy to hear that you liked them :)

  • Reply
    WindsorTenor
    November 15, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    Made these for dinner tonight. FABULOUS!

  • Reply
    jessica
    July 30, 2009 at 7:20 am

    I LOVED these meatballs!!!! delish! And what a great blog! As a singer who’s just getting into cooking, I’ll be back here again!

    • Reply
      Deseree
      July 30, 2009 at 11:41 am

      Thank you Jessica! I am glad that you loved these meatballs so much and I am happy to hear that you will be back! :)

  • Reply
    Jenn
    July 28, 2009 at 4:09 pm

    This is such a great recipe! I’ve made these both baked and fried. They’re delicious each way. Thanks so much =)

    • Reply
      Deseree
      July 29, 2009 at 5:23 pm

      You’re welcome Jenn! I haven’t tried them baked yet, I just might have to now. :)

  • Reply
    Lisa@The Cutting Edge of Ordinary
    July 10, 2009 at 8:51 am

    Wow what a terrific idea. I stumbled upon you from photograzing. Glad I found your site. I’ll be adding you to my blog list and checking back often! Gonna try these meatballs for sure.

  • Reply
    Christina@DeglazeMe
    July 5, 2009 at 7:26 pm

    These have all my favorite flavors, and the recipe is so simple! Your photo is beautiful and creatively done with the chopsticks.

  • Reply
    Carolyn
    July 4, 2009 at 3:17 am

    Des, I made these yesterday, and they were fabulous. Thanks!

    • Reply
      Deseree
      July 4, 2009 at 8:41 am

      You’re welcome Carolyn! Thank you for letting me know that you enjoyed them :)

  • Reply
    ThatsSoYummy
    July 3, 2009 at 11:19 am

    These look delicious, will try them out!

    Thanks for sharing :-)

  • Reply
    beth
    July 2, 2009 at 11:58 am

    I am going to try that exact recipe but with turkey for a burger. And will use the sauce as a glaze. Love all those flavors.

  • Reply
    Risa
    July 1, 2009 at 10:51 am

    This is very similar to the mixture I put in my dumplings! What a brilliant idea.

  • Reply
    oneshotbeyond
    July 1, 2009 at 9:09 am

    these sound wonderful! I love every flavor in the seasonings you used…I will be saving and making one day!

  • Reply
    Carolyn
    July 1, 2009 at 4:57 am

    Those look great! I’ve been looking for meatball variations recently, and these are full of some of my favorite ingredients. Cute photo, too!

  • Reply
    Lori @ RecipeGirl
    June 30, 2009 at 12:31 pm

    What a fun pic! I’d have shared this asap too. :) Sounds delicious.

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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