Meatballs Oriental
Oriental-style meatballs with a savory soy sauce glaze, complemented by vegetables and served over rice, making a flavorful and hearty meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground chuck ⓘ
- 1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs ⓘ
- 1/2 cup minced onion ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt and pepper ⓘ
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup diagonally sliced celery ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, cut in strips ⓘ
- 1 (1 lb. 3 oz.) can bean sprouts ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz.) can sliced mushrooms ⓘ
- 1/4 cup cornstarch ⓘ
- 3 to 4 tablespoons soy sauce ⓘ
- 2 medium onions ⓘ
- 4 cups cooked rice ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix ground chuck, bread crumbs, minced onion, salt, pepper, and evaporated milk lightly but thoroughly.
- Shape the mixture into 12 meatballs.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add meatballs and brown on all sides.
- Push the meatballs to one side of the skillet and add sliced celery and green pepper.
- Remove the skillet from heat.
- Drain bean sprouts and sliced mushrooms, reserving the liquids.
- Add water to the reserved liquids to measure 1 1/2 cups.
- Blend cornstarch with a little of the liquid mixture to make a smooth paste, then blend with the remaining liquid.
- Stir in soy sauce, then pour the mixture over the meatballs in the skillet.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Cover and simmer until the sauce is thickened and clear, about 20 minutes.
- Add bean sprouts, sliced mushrooms, and sliced onions, then cover and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve the meatballs and vegetables over hot cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, you can substitute ground turkey for ground chuck. If you prefer a spicier kick, add a dash of chili sauce to the sauce mixture. Use gluten-free soy sauce if you're looking for a gluten-free option. When shaping the meatballs, wet your hands to prevent sticking. This recipe pairs beautifully with Cold Noodles With Sesame Sauce for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the meatballs and sauce over a bed of hot cooked rice for a hearty meal. Consider adding a side of steamed vegetables or a simple salad for freshness. This dish can also be topped with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture. Pair it with Czech Bread Dumplings for a delightful combination.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the meatballs and sauce in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also microwave them in short intervals, ensuring they don't dry out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Meatballs Oriental contains roughly 720 calories, with 18g protein, 112g carbohydrates, and 22g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (37% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (34% of the Daily Value), and iron (30% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze the meatballs?
Yes, you can freeze the uncooked meatballs before browning. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They can be cooked from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
What can I use instead of evaporated milk?
You can substitute evaporated milk with a mixture of regular milk and heavy cream in equal parts. Alternatively, use unsweetened almond milk or soy milk for a dairy-free option, though it may slightly alter the flavor.
Can I add other vegetables to the dish?
Absolutely! You can add vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or snap peas for more color and nutrition. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time so that all vegetables are tender yet crisp.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).