General Tso Meatballs are a delicious twist on the classic Chinese-American dish, offering tender, savory meatballs coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy General Tso sauce. The meatballs are made with ground chicken or turkey, seasoned with a blend of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and green onions. Once baked or pan-fried, they’re tossed in a rich General Tso sauce made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and a hint of heat from chili flakes. The result is a flavorful, bite-sized dish that’s perfect for a meal or served as an appetizer.
I first made General Tso Meatballs when I wanted to try a fun, new way to enjoy General Tso’s sauce, and they became an instant favorite. The meatballs were juicy and packed with flavor, while the sauce had the perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess, and spice. What I love most about this recipe is how easy it is to prepare, and it makes a great crowd-pleasing dish for parties or casual dinners.
What’s great about General Tso Meatballs is how versatile they are. You can serve them with steamed rice, sautéed vegetables, or even in lettuce wraps for a lighter option. You can also adjust the level of spice by adding more chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce. Whether you’re making them for a family dinner, a party appetizer, or just a fun weeknight meal, General Tso Meatballs are sure to be a hit!
Perfect for:
- Family dinners
- Appetizers for parties
- Game days
- Chinese food enthusiasts
- Spicy food lovers
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here are 10 reasons why General Tso Meatballs will quickly become your go-to dish:
- Flavor Explosion: The balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors makes every bite a delight.
- Juicy Meatballs: The meatballs are tender and flavorful, thanks to a combination of ground meat and spices.
- Homemade Sauce: The sauce is made from scratch, creating a fresh and customizable taste.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is simple to prepare, with minimal cooking time for a quick meal.
- Versatile Dish: Serve it as a main course, appetizer, or over rice for a complete meal.
- Perfectly Balanced Heat: The sauce delivers the right amount of heat, with a sweet undertone to balance the spice.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Make the meatballs ahead of time and store them in the fridge for easy meals throughout the week.
- Kid-Friendly: Despite the spice, the sauce is mild enough for younger tastes.
- Garnish Potential: Top with green onions or sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
- Impressive Presentation: These meatballs look and taste like something from a restaurant, making them perfect for dinner parties.
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories per serving: Approximately 400-450 calories
- Key Nutrients: Protein: 22g, Carbs: 30g, Fat: 20g
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken or turkey
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (to taste)
Optional Garnish:
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Ingredient Highlights
- Ground Meat: Chicken or turkey creates the perfect base for juicy, tender meatballs.
- Hoisin Sauce: Adds a rich, sweet flavor to both the meatballs and the sauce.
- Ginger and Garlic: Bring an aromatic and zesty flavor to the dish.
- Rice Vinegar: Balances the sweetness of the sauce with its tangy acidity.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make the Meatballs:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and black pepper.
- Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Prepare the Sauce:
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a small saucepan, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and water.
- Cook Sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Glaze the Meatballs:
- Toss Meatballs in Sauce: Once the meatballs are baked, remove them from the oven and toss them in the prepared sauce to coat evenly.
- Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately.
How to Serve
Here are 10 serving suggestions for General Tso Meatballs:
- Over Rice: Serve the meatballs over steamed jasmine or white rice for a complete meal.
- With Vegetables: Pair with steamed broccoli or sautéed bok choy for a healthier side dish.
- On Skewers: Skewer the glazed meatballs for an easy-to-eat appetizer.
- As an Appetizer: Serve as an appetizer at parties with toothpicks for a fun snack.
- In a Wrap: Use in a lettuce wrap for a low-carb, fresh option.
- With Noodles: Serve with lo mein or rice noodles for a hearty dish.
- As a Snack: These meatballs make a great game-day snack or afternoon pick-me-up.
- With Stir-Fried Vegetables: Serve alongside stir-fried vegetables for a balanced meal.
- As a Meal Prep: Store meatballs in the fridge or freezer for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.
- With a Side of Soy Sauce: For extra flavor, serve with soy sauce or chili oil on the side.
Additional Tips
- Don’t Overmix Meatball Mixture: Mix just until combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Uniform Size: Make sure the meatballs are uniform in size for even cooking.
- Adjust Spice Level: Add more red pepper flakes for extra heat or reduce for a milder version.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Rest Meatballs: Allow meatballs to rest for a few minutes before tossing in sauce to help them hold their shape.
Recipe Variations
- Beef Meatballs: Use ground beef for a richer flavor.
- Vegetarian Meatballs: Swap ground meat for plant-based meat alternatives or finely chopped mushrooms.
- Spicy Tofu Meatballs: Replace meat with firm tofu for a spicy vegetarian version.
- Sticky Sauce: Increase the amount of cornstarch for a thicker, stickier glaze.
- Sweet and Sour Sauce: Add pineapple juice and ketchup to the sauce for a sweet and sour twist.
- Garlic Soy Meatballs: Skip the hoisin and sugar for a more savory, garlic-forward flavor.
- Baked or Fried: Fry the meatballs instead of baking them for a crispier exterior.
Special Equipment
- Baking Sheet: For baking the meatballs in the oven.
- Saucepan: To prepare the sauce.
- Whisk: For combining sauce ingredients.
- Tongs: For tossing the meatballs in sauce.
- Meat Thermometer: To ensure the meatballs are cooked through.
- Parchment Paper: To prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
FAQ Section
- Can I use frozen meatballs?
Yes, you can use frozen meatballs—just bake them according to the package instructions and toss in the sauce. - Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge for up to 3 days. - Can I freeze the meatballs?
Yes, freeze the cooked meatballs in a single layer, then transfer to a bag or container for up to 2 months. - Can I use other ground meats?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, beef, or lamb would work well in this recipe. - What can I use instead of hoisin sauce?
You can use soy sauce with a bit of honey or molasses as a substitute for hoisin sauce. - How do I adjust the spice level?
Add more or less red pepper flakes to the sauce to control the heat level. - Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free soy sauce and breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version. - Can I skip the sesame oil?
The sesame oil adds a distinct flavor, but you can skip it if you prefer a lighter taste. - What type of rice goes best with this dish?
Steamed jasmine rice or white rice complements the flavors of the meatballs beautifully. - How can I make the sauce thicker?
Add a bit more cornstarch to thicken the sauce to your desired consistency.
Conclusion
General Tso Meatballs are a delicious twist on the classic General Tso’s chicken, with savory, tender meatballs coated in a sticky, sweet, and tangy sauce. The meatballs are made with ground chicken, turkey, or beef (depending on your preference) and seasoned with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce for that unmistakable Asian-inspired flavor. Once baked or pan-fried, they’re tossed in a rich General Tso sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and a hint of chili paste for heat.
These meatballs are perfect served over rice or noodles, and you can garnish them with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for an added crunch. They’re great for a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer at your next party!
I can’t wait to see how your General Tso Meatballs turn out! Be sure to share your photos on Instagram and tag me—I’d love to see your flavorful creations! And don’t forget to leave a comment letting me know how you made this dish your own!