Asian-Inspired Pork and Rice Meatballs with Apricot Glaze

A little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, these Asian-inspired glazed pork meatballs make a great appetizer that is good warm or at room temperature.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 251 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• ⅓ cup hoisin sauce
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 medium lime, juiced
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
• ⅓ cup minced red onion
• 1 ½ cups apricot preserves
• 1 ¼ pounds ground pork
• 2 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce
• ⅓ cup diced dried apricots

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a 12x18-inch baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Step 2

Combine pork, cooked rice, onion, apricots, vinegar, sesame oil, coriander, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes in a medium mixing bowl; mix until well blended. Form into 24 meatballs, each about 1 1/2 inch in diameter. Place meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 30 to 35 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).

Step 4

Remove meatballs from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.

Step 5

Meanwhile, melt apricot preserves in a small saucepan over medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in hoisin sauce, ginger, chili-garlic sauce, and lime juice.

Step 6

Place meatballs in a serving dish and pour glaze over top. Garnish with cilantro.