This recipe for General Tso Meatballs combines the simplicity and ease of tasty, tender meatballs with a sweet, a bit spicy and savory homemade sauce.
You will love this Chinese-inspired recipe is a quick dinner, and comes together in about 30 minutes, is perfect for the whole family. The best part of this dish is a rich sauce which you can customize to your preferences. You can meal prep this recipe by making the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them so they will be ready to go when you are.
What is General Tso Sauce?
Homemade General Tso's sauce has a unique and distinct flavor with a perfect balance that's both savory and slightly sweet, with some spicy flavors and a noticeable kick of heat. It usually combines soy sauce, vinegar, some type of sweetener and chili peppers or chili sauce which gives it a balance of tanginess and sweetness. The sauce also includes garlic and ginger, and is popular in Chinese-American cuisine. You will want to try my General Tso Shrimp and General Tso Beef recipes as well.
Recipe Ingredients
(not shown chili paste, vegetable oil)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Ground beef - I prefer an 80/20 mix. It has enough fat to hold the meatballs together. You can use 85/15 but I wouldn't recommend using a mix with less than that.
- Brown sugar - If you want to lower the carbs, use a brown sugar substitute. I use Keystone brand from Amazon but there are plenty of options in the grocery stores.
- Cornstarch - I also like to use Arrowroot powder for a thickener. You can use flour, just stir it a bit more since it is clumpier than cornstarch.
- Rice wine vinegar - Sub with white wine vinegar if needed.
- Panko breadcrums- or regular breadcrumbs
- Sweet chili sauce - Sub with chili sauce, red pepper flakes, chili oil or chili powder. Taste the sauce as you make these substitutions.
- Garlic & Ginger paste- I love the ease of these refrigerated concentrated pastes. You can certainly use ground garlic powder or ginger. Again taste sauce for difference strength. Adjust as needed!
- Optional garnish- chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
How to make General Tso Meatballs
Step 1: Combine meatball ingredients in a large mixing bowl and form into approximately 1 ½ inch meatballs.
Step 2: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook 5-6 minutes per side. Remove them and drain on paper towels.
Step 3: Stir together the sauce ingredients. Cook on medium heat and bring to a low simmer for 2 minutes, stirring well.
Step 4: Add cooked meatballs back to frying pan heat on low for 1 minute, coat meatballs with sauce.
Recipe Tips for Success
- Make sure to cook meatballs over medium heat. Too low heat won't brown them and too high can burn. Turn to low-medium if getting overly brown. And don't crowd the pan so that all meatballs can be turned easily. Make two batches if needed.
- The General Tso sauce is the best part! Taste for desired flavor. Adjust as needed but try to balance the flavor. There is sweet, savory and spicy in the recipe, everyone's taste is different. The sauce's flavor will be even better when simmered and thickened.
- If you prefer to bake the meatballs, line a large baking sheet with parchment or aluminum foil, spray lightly with baking spray. Cook in a 375°F oven for about 25-30 minutes, turning halfway. They should register about 160°F when done.
What to serve with meatballs?
Since this is a quick stovetop recipe, I usually like to keep the side simple and will cook around the same time as the meatballs. Here are some green vegetable choices that are easy to make and delicious: Charred Broccoli, Pan Seared Asparagus, Blackened Green Beans, Sweet and Spicy Brussels Sprouts.
What to do with leftover meatballs?
Here are some ideas:
- Make a stir fry: Break up the meatballs into chunks and add some veggies: broccoli, mushrooms, snow peas, bean sprouts or your favorites. Add the sauce and reheat it all together. Taste and add more seasoning or broth to increase the sauce.
- You can use the meatballs in a soup. Heat some chicken or beef broth and add cabbage, scallions or other veggies. Add the meatballs and more soy sauce, garlic and ginger to taste.
MORE incredible Asian-inspired recipes to try!
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*Nutrition information is an estimate from Nutrifox.com.
General Tsos Meatballs
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Asian/American
Description
This recipe for General Tsos Meatballs combines the simplicity and ease of tasty, tender meatballs with a delicious sweet, a bit spicy and savory sauce.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef, (85%/15 % mix of lean to fat)
- ¾ cup Panko or regular breadcrumbs
- 1 XL or 2 large eggs
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
General Tso Sauce
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 cup beef broth, low sodium
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili paste or chili oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic paste or 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste or ground
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or Arrowroot powder or flour
- Sesame seeds, chopped green onion for garnish, optional.
Instructions
- Combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.
- Form meatballs into about 1 ½ inch meatballs. (about 20)
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.
- Brown meatballs about 5-6 minutes per side. Internal temperature should be 160°F. Remove meatballs and drain on paper towels.
- Stir together the sauce ingredients, whisking well. Taste for seasoning, spiciness and sweetness. Adjust as preferred. Add to the skillet and bring to a low simmer over medium heat. Cook and stir for 2 minutes until thickened.
- Place meatballs back in skillet and coat with sauce, heat for 1 minute.
- Serve over white rice, brown rice or rice noodles.
- Garnish with chopped green onion or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
*Taste the sauce and adjust for sweet or spicy flavors.
*If you prefer to bake the meatballs, line a large baking sheet with parchment or aluminum foil, spray lightly with baking spray. Cook in a 375°F oven for about 25-30 minutes, turning halfway. They should register about 160°F when done.
*Refrigerate leftover meatballs and sauce in container for 3 days. The sauce is even better the next day. Reheat in microwave or in skillet on low until heated through.
Freeze in airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in refrigerator and reheat as above.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 411
- Sugar: 5g
- Fat: 12.9g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 46g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Ellie says
My family loved this. I had frozen meatballs and the sauce was so good. Will make more next time