Meatballs are quite a staple in Mediterranean kitchen, but they are usually made with tomato sauce and Mediterranean flavors. I decided to give this meal a slight Eastern twist and used different spices. Tomato sauce was substituted by soy sauce.
This is a great party dish, be sure your guests will enjoy it. I like to make smaller bite-sized meatballs and put them on skewers. Simply line them on serving plate and put a bowl of soy sauce in the middle.
Spicy meatballs with soy sauce
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
These spicy meatballs with a hint of Eastern flavors are made with soy sauce instead of the traditional tomato sauce, offering a unique twist perfect for parties.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250 g) ground beef
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp powdered ginger
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh parsley
- Olive oil, for frying
- 3 tbsp (50 ml) soy sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) sifted flour
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, minced garlic, chopped onion, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, powdered ginger, and chopped parsley. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and fry them, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
- In a separate saucepan, combine the soy sauce and sifted flour. Cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Serve the meatballs on skewers with the soy sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For a party, consider making smaller meatballs and serving them on skewers with a bowl of soy sauce for dipping.
- You can store leftover meatballs in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat them in a pan before serving.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, add a bit more flour to the soy sauce mixture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 25
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 20
- Cholesterol: 70
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this an “Eastern twist” on Mediterranean meatballs?
Author Tamara Novacovic swapped out the traditional tomato sauce for a soy sauce dipping sauce, and replaced Mediterranean herbs with powdered ginger and smoked paprika. The soy sauce is also thickened with 1 tbsp sifted flour into a light gravy, so it clings to the meatballs rather than pooling beneath them.
How do you keep the soy dipping sauce from being too thin or too thick?
Cook 3 tbsp soy sauce with 1 tbsp sifted flour over low heat, stirring continuously for 3–4 minutes until thickened. The notes specify that if you prefer a thicker sauce, simply add a bit more flour to the mixture.
Can I make these ahead for a party?
Yes — the notes say leftover meatballs keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat well in a pan. For a party presentation, the article specifically recommends shaping them bite-sized, threading them onto skewers, and setting a bowl of soy sauce in the centre of the serving plate.
