Asian BBQ Meatball Tray Bake: Why You'll Love This
This Asian BBQ Meatball Tray Bake is all about flavour, simplicity, and minimal cleanup – the holy trinity of midweek meals! 💥 The juicy pork and veal meatballs are seasoned with ginger and garlic, giving them a fragrant kick that pairs perfectly with the sweet and savoury Asian BBQ sauce. 🧄🧄 Add in some fresh veggies, and you have a balanced, mouth-watering meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes! ⏰
Asian BBQ Meatball Tray Bake Tips and Tricks
To make this Asian BBQ Meatball Tray Bake absolutely perfect, here are some tips and tricks:
- Choose Quality Mince: I love using a mix of pork and veal mince for these meatballs. Pork adds juiciness, while veal keeps them tender. Make sure to use good quality mince – it really makes a difference! If you can, opt for free-range pork and grass-fed veal for the best flavour. 🐖🐄
- Get the Right Texture: When forming your meatballs, don’t overwork the mince mixture. Gently mix until just combined. This helps keep the meatballs light and tender. If your mixture feels a bit wet, add a touch more breadcrumbs.
- Use Fresh Aromatics: Fresh ginger and garlic are key to achieving that bold Asian flavour. Grating them rather than chopping releases more juices, enhancing the meatball mixture. Your taste buds will thank you! 🍛
- Maximise Flavour with Marinade: For an even more intense flavour, you can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and let them marinate in the fridge for a few hours before baking. The flavours meld together beautifully!
Best Ingredients for the Perfect Sauce
The sauce is where the magic happens! This simple yet flavour-packed mix of hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, and a splash of water creates a sticky, luscious glaze that coats the meatballs and veggies.
- Hoisin Sauce: This thick, fragrant sauce adds sweetness and depth. It’s a staple in Chinese cuisine and works wonders in this recipe. For a healthier option, you can find low-sugar varieties at your local supermarket.
- Oyster Sauce: This sauce brings a subtle umami flavour that complements the sweetness of the hoisin sauce. It’s rich, slightly salty, and essential for that authentic Asian BBQ taste. 🍶
Veggie Boost: Broccoli and Onion
I’ve chosen broccoli and onion for this Asian BBQ Meatball Tray Bake because they’re perfect for roasting and absorb the flavours of the sauce beautifully. 🥦🧅 Feel free to mix things up! Other great options include bell peppers, snow peas, or even baby corn. Just keep the veggies bite-sized so they cook evenly with the meatballs.
Serving Suggestions
This Asian BBQ Meatball Tray Bake is fantastic served over steamed jasmine rice or tossed with some egg noodles for a hearty meal. 🍚🍜 If you’re looking to keep things light, a crisp side salad or some cauliflower rice would be a great pairing, too!
For a finishing touch, sprinkle over some fresh coriander and a squeeze of lime to brighten up the flavours. 🌿🍋 And don’t forget to drizzle any extra sauce from the pan over your noodles or rice – trust me, you won’t want to waste a drop!
Similar Recipes to Try
If you loved this Asian BBQ Meatball Tray Bake, here are a few more tray bakes you’ll want to add to your repertoire:
I hope you enjoy making and devouring this Asian BBQ Meatball Tray Bake as much as I do! Don’t forget to take a picture and share it with me @steph_cooks_stuff. I’d love to see your creations! 📸
Happy cooking! 🍽️
Asian BBQ Meatball Tray Bake
- Total Time: 35
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Hey foodies! 🌟 Kicking off my 10 days of quick and easy tray bakes with this mouthwatering Asian BBQ Meatball Tray Bake! 🍢 Perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something delicious without the fuss. Let’s dive in!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 220°C and grease a baking dish.
- In a bowl, mix together the mince, breadcrumbs, hoisin sauce, garlic, and ginger until well combined.
- Form tablespoons of the mixture into balls and place them in the baking dish.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- While the meatballs are baking, whisk together the hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, and water in a bowl to make the sauce.
- Remove the meatballs from the oven, add the broccoli and onion, and pour over the sauce.
- Bake for an additional 15 minutes.
- Serve hot with noodles or rice and enjoy!
This dish is a game-changer for your dinner rotation! 😋 It’s packed with flavor and so easy to make. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Australian
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs and sauce up to a day in advance. Keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to bake. This makes it a great option for meal prep!
No worries! You can substitute it with soy sauce for a slightly different but equally delicious flavour. Add a teaspoon of brown sugar to mimic the sweetness of the oyster sauce.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 180°C for about 10 minutes or until heated through. You can also freeze the cooked meatballs and sauce for up to 2 months.