Teriyaki Ginger Meatballs
Captain’s log, entry #3: Morale is high. The kitchen smells like victory. The meatball marathon surges forward with unrelenting momentum, and today’s flavor crusade is led by none other than Teriyaki Ginger Meatballs. Juicy, tender beef rounds glazed in a sweet-and-savory teriyaki sauce that hits with notes of garlic, ginger, and undeniable swagger. Honestly, this one might just be illegal in a few states.
We’ve paired this glorious meatball crew with roasted broccoli and fluffy jasmine rice for a balanced trifecta that doesn’t just slap—it uppercuts. At 65g of protein per serving, it’s not just a macro-friendly win, it’s a whole blueprint for world domination via bento box. This is the kind of meal prep that has you low-key bragging to coworkers when they spot it in the office fridge.
The Meatball Empire continues to expand, one saucy, spherical victory at a time. If you haven’t joined the movement yet, consider this your official summons. There’s room on this flavor starship for you, brave traveler. Make these meatballs. Glaze them with pride. The meatball empire is thriving. Long may it reign.
Teriyaki Ginger Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 2 lbs ground beef 93% lean
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp ginger minced or grated
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
For the Teriyaki Glaze:
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
For the Roasted Broccoli:
- 1.5 lb broccoli florets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For Serving:
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar optional for flavor
- 1/4 cup green onions chopped, for garnish
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.2 lbs ground beef, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 1 tbsp ginger, 3 cloves garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Roll mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs (approximately 30-32 meatballs) and place on one baking sheet.
- On a separate baking sheet, toss broccoli florets with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly.1.5 lb broccoli florets, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Roast the broccoli and meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, flipping the broccoli halfway through.
- While the meatballs and broccoli bake, cook jasmine rice according to package instructions. Add rice vinegar to the water for extra flavor if desired.1 cup jasmine rice, 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- In a large skillet over medium heat, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Stir and bring to a simmer.1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp grated ginger, 2 cloves garlic
- Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.1 tsp cornstarch
- Add the baked meatballs to the skillet with the glaze. Toss gently to coat evenly.
- Divide cooked rice into meal prep containers or bowls. Top with teriyaki-glazed meatballs and roasted broccoli. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.1/4 cup green onions, 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Nutrition
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Why You’ll Love These Teriyaki Ginger Meatballs
These Teriyaki Ginger Meatballs are the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and high-protein satisfaction. Packed with garlic, ginger, and umami-rich soy sauce, the meatballs are juicy and flavorful on their own—but the real magic happens when you toss them in a thick, sticky homemade teriyaki glaze.
It’s comfort food meets clean fuel. The glaze is made from soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and brown sugar—simmered down into a shiny, caramelized sauce that coats every bite. Paired with roasted broccoli and fluffy jasmine rice, this meal is well-balanced, high in protein, and easy to prep for the whole week.
Whether you’re meal prepping lunches or whipping up a weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers flavor and function. It’s got the macros you need and the flavor you crave.
Ingredient Substitutions & Customizations
Whether you’re adapting for dietary goals or just using what’s in the fridge, this recipe flexes easily.
Make It Leaner
Swap out ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. It’ll lower the fat while still delivering great texture and flavor.
Lower the Carbs
Serve with cauliflower rice, zoodles, or shredded cabbage slaw for a lower-carb option.
Extra Umami
Add 1 tsp of fish sauce or a few drops of Worcestershire to the glaze for deeper flavor.
Gluten-Free?
Use tamari instead of soy sauce and make sure your breadcrumbs are gluten-free.
Want More Heat?
Add 1 tsp of Sriracha, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of chili crisp oil to spice things up.
Expert Tips for Perfect Teriyaki Meatballs
These little details go a long way in making this recipe feel restaurant-quality:
Don’t Overmix
When combining the meatball mixture, stop mixing as soon as everything is incorporated. Overmixing = tough meatballs.
High-Heat Roasting
A hot oven (400–425°F) creates those beautifully browned edges without overcooking the inside.
Let the Sauce Reduce
Give the glaze time to simmer and thicken. A reduced sauce clings better and has a more concentrated flavor.
Gentle Tossing
Toss the meatballs gently in the sauce to keep them juicy and well-coated—don’t mash them around or they’ll lose shape.
Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips
Storage
Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze just the meatballs and glaze (without the rice and broccoli) for longer storage.
Reheating
Microwave in 90-second bursts, stirring between intervals. Add a splash of water or soy sauce if things start to dry out.
Pair It With
- Steamed snap peas or bok choy
- Cucumber salad with rice vinegar
- A quick side of kimchi for some fermented flair
Garnish Ideas
- Chopped green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Lime wedges for a citrusy pop
- A tiny drizzle of honey or chili oil for contrast
FAQs
Are these meatballs spicy?
Nope! The base recipe has no heat. If you want spice, you’ll need to add red pepper flakes, Sriracha, or chili oil. It’s super easy to customize.
Can I use ground pork?
Absolutely. Ground pork works well here and has a naturally juicy texture. It also plays beautifully with the Asian-style flavor profile.
Can I make this low-carb?
Yes—just swap the jasmine rice for cauliflower rice, and be mindful of the glaze. You can reduce or replace the honey/brown sugar with a low-carb sweetener.
Can I make this ahead?
These meatballs are meal prep gold. You can bake the meatballs and broccoli ahead of time, store the glaze separately, and toss it all together before serving.
What if I don’t have fresh ginger?
You can use ½ tsp ground ginger in both the meatballs and glaze if you don’t have fresh. It won’t be quite as punchy, but it’ll still be delish.
6 More High-Protein Beef Recipes to Try Next
If you’re craving bold flavor and big protein, beef delivers every time. These high-protein beef meal prep recipes are perfect for building muscle, fueling heavy training sessions, or just spicing up your weekly macro game with something heartier than chicken.
From sweet and savory meatballs to sizzling steak bowls and high-protein comfort food classics, these beef recipes bring the heat. Every dish is built for macro tracking, reheats like a champ, and makes sticking to your goals feel less like a chore and more like a cheat day. Whether you’re on a clean bulk, cutting phase, or just trying to avoid another bland chicken lunch, this beef lineup hits hard. If you’ve been searching for “macro-friendly beef recipes,” “beef meal prep for bulking,” or “easy high-protein steak bowls,” welcome home.
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And as always, if you made it all the way down here and still haven’t found your perfect macro-packed meal, you can explore my full recipe catalogue—over 60+ free high-protein meal prep recipes—linked right here.
The blueprint to high-protein meal prep
Want to see how I structure high-protein meal prep recipes like this to hit real fitness goals—whether you’re cutting, bulking, or just trying to stay lean? Check out my full meal prep strategy here to learn how I use macro-friendly meals to stay consistent all week long.