Teriyaki Meatballs

These Teriyaki Meatballs are a total crowd-pleaser that work equally well for entertaining and dinner! These juicy meatballs are baked until tender and tossed in a mouthwatering teriyaki glaze. Full of flavor and so easy to make, they’re perfect for game day spreads, holiday parties, or serve over rice for an easy weeknight dinner win.

Love easy appetizer recipes? Make sure to try out these favorites: Jalapeño Popper Bites, Veggie Pizza and these yummy Bacon Crackers!

Teriyaki Meatball Recipe

These Teriyaki Meatballs are one of those recipes that fits just about any occasion. These meatballs are a game day favorite but also double as the perfect easy dinner when served over rice or noodles. What makes these meatballs especially great is how versatile they are. Whether you’re planning a party, prepping an easy dinner, or need a dependable appetizer – this recipe checks all the boxes. They’re easy to prep, quick to bake and always a hit with both kids and adults.

Made with a mouthwatering combination of beef and sausage, the meatballs are loaded with flavor thanks to the garlic, water chestnuts, teriyaki sauce and green onions. These juicy meatballs are baked until tender and tossed in a mouthwatering teriyaki glaze. Top with a thinly sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a crowd-pleasing finish the whole family will love. Serve with toothpicks for easy entertaining or pair with your favorite side salad and rice for a simple, satisfying meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Teriyaki Meatballs are the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again. They’re simple to make, full of flavor and flexible enough to work for both entertaining and dinner. Here’s why we love them so much:

• Versatile: Serve these meatballs with toothpicks for parties or over rice for a complete meal.
• Quick and Easy: These meatballs come together quickly and are baked until juicy and tender. Tossed in store bought or homemade teriyaki sauce and served!
• Tender and Juicy: A blend of beef and pork creates meatballs that stay moist and flavorful.

What You’ll Need

There’s not a whole lot of ingredients here and I used a store-bought teriyaki sauce to make things easier  You can make your own or use your favorite brand – your call.

You’ll find a lot of the typical meatball ingredients here as well as some with a definite Asian twist like Panko breadcrumbs, water chestnuts and sesame seeds. I made my meatballs appetizer size but you could make them slightly larger and just add a few minutes to the cooking time.

How To Make Teriyaki Meatballs

These Teriyaki Meatballs are a weeknight win with big flavor and minimal effort. Juicy beef and pork meatballs are baked until tender, then tossed in a sweet-savory teriyaki glaze that makes them perfect for dinner, meal prep or easy entertaining. Serve them over rice, tuck them into sliders, or enjoy them straight from the pan – they’re always a hit!

Let’s take a quick look at how to make this teriyaki meatball recipe and as always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.

1. Add meatball ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
2. Gently stir together meatball ingredients (using hands if necessary).
3. Form into 1 to 1 1/2 inch meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.
4. Toss meatballs in teriyaki sauce, green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately with toothpicks or over rice.

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

Store bought teriyaki sauce works perfectly in this recipe and saves time when making this recipe but, it’s super easy to make if you have a few minutes. Here’s a quick and easy recipe for Teriyaki sauce:

• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup tamari or low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste or 1 ½ fresh minced ginger
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons mirin

Whisk water and cornstarch together in a small saucepan. Add remaining ingredients and whisk to combine. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 4 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool completely before transferring to an airtight container and storing for up to 1 week.

Storage Information

• Make Ahead: These meatballs can be formed up to 24 hours in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bake as directed.
• Refrigerator: Store cooked and cooled meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze baked meatballs (without sauce) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm with teriyaki sauce before serving. To freeze unbaked meatballs, form meatballs, place on parchment-lined baking sheet and flash freeze for 30 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a freezer safe, ziploc bag. Bake from frozen (meatballs will take additional time).
• Reheating: Reheat gently in the oven or on the stovetop with extra sauce to keep them moist.

Variations To Try

As delicious as this teriyaki meatball recipe is, here are some tasty variations to consider:

• Add a splash of sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the teriyaki glaze for a bit of heat.
• Swap in ground turkey for a lighter option, keeping the pork for moisture if desired.
• Bake the meatballs, then transfer to a slow cooker with the sauce to keep warm for parties.
• Stir crushed pineapple or pineapple tidbits into the sauce for a tropical twist.

Whether you’re making them for your next potluck, or serving them to your family, I guarantee these Teriyaki meatballs will be enjoyed by all!

Can these teriyaki meatballs be made ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep the meatballs in advance or bake them fully and reheat when ready to serve.

Is store-bought teriyaki sauce okay to use in this recipe?

Absolutely. Use your favorite brand for convenience, or homemade if you prefer.

Can I make these meatballs in the air fryer?

Sure can and it’s so easy to do!

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F and lightly spray the basket (if using) with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. In a large bowl, gently combine the meatball ingredients just until combined. Roll into 1 to 1½-inch meatballs and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket or turning the meatballs halfway through, until fully cooked. Transfer the meatballs to a bowl, toss with warm teriyaki sauce, and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Trish’s Tips

• Mix the meatball ingredients gently to keep the texture tender and ensure the meatballs aren’t tough.
• Use a cookie scoop to make evenly sized meatballs that cook at the same rate.
• Warm the teriyaki sauce before tossing so it coats the meatballs evenly.
• If serving for a party, keep the meatballs warm in a slow cooker on low with extra sauce.

More Appetizers That Wow

1. Baked Bacon Cheese Dip
2. Olive Dip
3. Crockpot Kielbasa Bites
4. Stuffed Mushrooms
5. Bacon Wrapped Chicken Teriyaki Bites

 Originally published September 27, 2014.