Sweet Sticky Teriyaki Meatballs with Steamed Rice
Juicy homemade meatballs glazed in a sweet, sticky teriyaki sauce paired perfectly with fluffy steamed rice for a comforting family dinner. This asian-inspired kid friendly ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground beef, bread crumbs, large egg for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 stalks, finely chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp, grated ginger root
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup, uncooked white rice
- 2 cups water (for rice)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1 large egg, and 2 chopped green onions. Mix gently until combined and form into 20 small meatballs.
- Step 2: Place meatballs on a lined baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: While meatballs bake, rinse 1 cup white rice under cold water and combine with 2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender.
- Step 4: In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp grated ginger. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 1/4 cup water until dissolved, then whisk into the sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened and glossy.
- Step 6: Remove sauce from heat and toss the baked meatballs gently in the teriyaki glaze until fully coated.
- Step 7: Serve the glazed meatballs over steamed rice, spooning extra sauce on top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet Sticky Teriyaki Meatballs with Steamed Rice take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sweet Sticky Teriyaki Meatballs with Steamed Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Sticky Teriyaki Meatballs with Steamed Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sweet Sticky Teriyaki Meatballs with Steamed Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sweet Sticky Teriyaki Meatballs with Steamed Rice?
Asian kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
