Honey Sriracha Meatballs

Per serving
Calories
Protein
Carbs
Fat

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These Honey Sriracha Meatballs are the kind of sweet, sticky, high-protein comfort food that makes weeknight dinners feel like a treat. The oven does most of the work while the sauce comes together in minutes, giving you bold Asian-inspired flavor without standing over a hot stove. They’re the kind of recipe your family will ask for on repeat.

Honey sriracha meatballs on a plate with glossy sauce – high-protein dinner recipe
Flexible Feasts – Honey Sriracha Meatballs: High-Protein Sweet and Spicy Dinner

Why This Recipe Works

  • Baking the meatballs in the oven keeps cleanup minimal and gives you consistent results every time, with no need to stand over a pan stirring.
  • The sauce hits the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, with honey mellowing out the sriracha heat while soy sauce adds that deep umami backbone.
  • Using lean ground meat keeps the protein high without sacrificing the tender, juicy texture you want in a good meatball.
  • Simmering them covered in the sauce lets everything meld together, so each bite is coated and flavorful all the way through.
Honey sriracha meatballs ingredients – ground turkey, honey, sriracha for high-protein dinner recipe
Flexible Feasts – Honey Sriracha Meatballs Ingredients: High-Protein Dinner

Ingredients

  • Ground Turkey, Beef, or Chicken. The base of these meatballs, and you can swap whichever lean ground meat you have on hand or prefer.
  • Egg. Binds everything together so the meatballs hold their shape while baking.
  • Breadcrumbs. Adds structure and keeps the meatballs tender instead of dense.
  • Onion Powder. Adds savory depth without the bulk of fresh onion, which can throw off the meatball texture.
  • Garlic Powder. Complements the onion powder and builds a solid flavor foundation for the meatballs.
  • Salt. Brings out the natural flavor of the meat and balances the spice from the sriracha.
  • Black Pepper. A light touch of pepper rounds out the seasoning without adding any heat.
  • Sriracha Sauce. The main driver of spice in the sauce, giving it that signature kick. Yellowbird Classic Blue Agave Sriracha
  • Honey. Balances the heat with natural sweetness and helps the sauce glaze onto the meatballs.
  • Low Sodium Soy Sauce. Adds salty umami depth that ties the whole sauce together.
  • Rice Vinegar. A splash of brightness that keeps the sauce from feeling too heavy or one-note.
  • Sesame Seed Oil. Adds that nutty, toasted aroma that makes the sauce taste like it came from your favorite takeout spot.
  • Minced Garlic. Fresh garlic flavor in the sauce that goes beyond what powder alone can deliver. Spice World Squeezable Minced Garlic
  • Minced Ginger. Bright, slightly spicy warmth that pairs perfectly with both the sriracha and honey. Spice World Squeezeable Premium Ground Ginger
  • Cornstarch. Thickens the sauce so it clings to the meatballs instead of running off.
  • Water. Blends with the cornstarch to create a smooth slurry that thickens the sauce without lumps.
  • Toasted Sesame Seeds. Adds a subtle crunch and nutty finish when sprinkled on top.
  • Green Onions. A fresh, mild onion bite that adds color and a clean contrast to the rich, saucy meatballs.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Packed with high protein to support your fitness goals while still tasting like the kind of comfort food you crave on a Friday night.
  • Most of the work happens in the oven, so you can set it and focus on getting the rest of dinner ready.
  • The sweet and spicy sauce is bold enough to feel like takeout but made with ingredients you already have in your pantry.
  • Easy to scale up for meal prep or double the batch so you have leftovers for lunch the next day.
  • Flexible with whatever ground meat you have on hand, making it a practical recipe for busy weeks when your schedule changes last minute.
  • Simple enough for weeknight cooking but impressive enough to serve when friends come over.
Honey sriracha meatballs close-up – glossy high-protein meatballs with sweet and spicy glaze
Flexible Feasts – Honey Sriracha Meatballs: High-Protein Close-Up with Glaze

What To Serve This Recipe With

  • Steamed Jasmine Rice
  • Stir-Fried Broccoli and Bell Peppers
  • Cauliflower Rice for a lower-carb option
  • Edamame Salad with Sesame Dressing
  • Cucumber Noodle Salad with Rice Vinegar. Or if you want to switch things up entirely, the Asian Lettuce Wrap and Sweet Potato BBQ Shepherd’s Pie are both great options for pairing with these meatballs.

Recipe Variations

  • Ground Chicken or Beef. Swap turkey for lean ground chicken or beef depending on what your grocery store has on sale.
  • Spicier Version. Double the sriracha in the sauce or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mix if you like more heat.
  • Sweeter Glaze. Add a tablespoon of brown sugar to the sauce for a stickier, caramelized finish that mimics restaurant-style meatballs.
  • More Ginger and Garlic. Ramp up both to two teaspoons each for a more aromatic, bold flavor profile.
  • Hoisin Twist. Stir a tablespoon of hoisin sauce into the mixture for a deeper, slightly smoky sweetness. If you want another meatball option, check out the Keto Turkey Meatballs or the Air Fryer Parmesan-crusted Meatballs.
Honey sriracha meatballs plated – high-protein sweet and spicy dinner with glossy sauce from Flexible Feasts
Flexible Feasts – Honey Sriracha Meatballs: High-Protein Dinner Plated Presentation

Tips

  • Baking Sheet Prep
    Line your baking sheets with foil for easy cleanup. It also helps the meatballs develop a light crust on the bottom while they bake.
  • Uniform Size Matters
    Keep your meatballs around 3/4 ounce each so they bake evenly. A cookie scoop makes this quick and consistent.
  • Don’t Skip the Internal Temp Check
    Ground poultry needs to reach 165 F. Use a meat thermometer to make sure they’re fully cooked through before saucing.
  • Sauce Consistency
    Heat the sauce on medium-low and stir often while it thickens. If it gets too thick, add a teaspoon of water to loosen it up.
  • Meal Prep Friendly
    These store well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through. If you want a different meal prep angle, the Southwest Chicken Salad Meal Prep is another solid option for batch cooking during busy weeks.

FAQs

  • Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey for these meatballs?
    Yes, ground chicken works just as well. Keep in mind that ground turkey tends to be slightly leaner, so if you’re using extra-lean chicken breast the meatballs might come out a touch drier. Ground thigh meat keeps them juicier.
  • How do I store leftover Honey Sriracha Meatballs?
    Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave with a splash of water to keep them from drying out, or warm them in a 350 F oven for about 10 minutes.
  • Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?
    Absolutely. Form the raw meatballs, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Bake them straight from frozen at 375 F, adding about 5 extra minutes to the bake time.
  • Is this recipe similar to takeout Honey Sriracha Meatballs?
    It’s close, and the flavor profile is definitely in that neighborhood. The main difference is you control the sugar level and can use leaner meat, so they’re a bit lighter than what you’d get from a restaurant while still hitting that same sweet and spicy spot.
  • Can I make these in an air fryer instead of the oven?
    Yes, an air fryer works great for these. Cook at 375 F for about 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. They’ll come out slightly crispier than the oven version.

Equipment Needed

Recipe

Honey sriracha meatballs recipe card – high-protein sweet and spicy dinner from Flexible Feasts

Honey Sriracha Meatballs

These Honey Sriracha Meatballs deliver a perfect sweet and spicy kick with lean ground turkey or chicken, coated in a sticky sriracha-honey glaze for a high-protein meal that’s quick enough for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Rest Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: Other world cuisine
Calories: 75

Ingredients
  

Meatballs
  • 1 pound 93/7 ground turkey/beef
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha
  • 2 teaspoons onion power
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seed oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 2 teaspoons water
  • 1 teaspoon corn starch
Garnish
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Green onions

Directions
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, scallion, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Mix until fully incorporated, but do not overmix.Form into uniformly sized balls, about 1-inch in diameter or 3/4 ounce each. Place the meatballs onto two foil-lined baking sheets. It should make about 20 meatballs.
  4. Bake on 375F for 20 to 25 minutes, until cooked through (internal temperature of 165 F).
  5. In a bowl, combine the Sriracha sauce, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.
  6. Add to a sauce pan and heat it up on medium low heat while stirring occasionally.
  7. Add your cooked meatballs into the sauce and coat them fully in the sauce. Leave the meatball in the pan and repeat the process until all of your meatballs are in the pan.
  8. Cook for about 5-10 minutes with a lid.
  9. Finish by garnishing with sesame seeds.

Video

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to keep them moist.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: 1 meatball
Amount of servings per recipe: 12
Calories: 75
Fat: 3 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 16 mg
Sodium: 53 mg
Carbohydrates: 5 g
Fiber: 0 g
Sugars: 3 g
Protein: 6 g

*The numbers above are approximations. Actual calories and macronutrient amounts will vary depending on the ingredients used along with the serving size.

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