Name: Firecracker Meatballs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or olive/avocado oil); 2 tablespoons sesame seeds; 1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed and drained; 1 cup full-fat coconut milk; 3/4 cup water; Salt, to taste; 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed); 1/4 cup milk (any kind); 1 lb ground beef (85% lean); 4 scallions, sliced (whites and greens separated); 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger (or 1 tsp ground ginger); 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed; 1/4 cup mayonnaise (Primal Kitchen or preferred brand); 1/4 cup sour cream (dairy-free if needed); 2 tablespoons sriracha or buffalo sauce (adjust to taste); 3 tablespoons coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 teaspoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar; Red chili flakes or Korean chili crunch, to taste

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These Firecracker Meatballs are juicy, Asian-inspired meatballs coated in a creamy, sweet-and-spicy sauce, served with coconut rice and roasted green beans for a flavorful, family-friendly meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bursting with flavor: A delightful blend of savory meat, zippy ginger-garlic notes, and a luscious firecracker sauce. reddit.com+9hellofresh.com+9hellofresh.com+9
Quick and easy: Ready in about 40 minutes—10 minutes prep and 30 minutes cooking—from start to finish. frontrangefed.com+5hellofresh.com+5hellofresh.com+5
Versatile: Works with ground beef, pork, turkey, or chicken—plus suits multiple serving styles like bowls, wraps, or appetizers. frontrangefed.com

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

Coconut Rice

1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 cup jasmine rice (rinsed and drained)
1 cup full-fat coconut milk
3/4 cup water
Salt, to taste

Firecracker Meatballs & Green Beans

1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup milk (optional)
1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
4 scallions, sliced (whites & greens separated)
2 tsp freshly grated ginger (or 1 tsp ground)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed

Firecracker Sauce

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons sriracha or buffalo sauce
3 tablespoons coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
Red chili flakes or Korean chili crunch, to taste

Directions

Prep: Preheat oven to 425 °F (220 °C). Arrange racks (top for meatballs/green beans). Wash and dry produce; separate scallion whites and greens; mince garlic and ginger. savorybitesrecipes.com+9hellofresh.com+9coloradokelly.com+9 hellofresh.com+1reddit.com+1 frontrangefed.com iheartnaptime.net
Make sauce: In a bowl, blend mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, vinegar, sriracha, and coconut aminos/soy until smooth; set aside. coloradokelly.com+7hellofresh.com+7hellofresh.com+7
Cook rice: Toast half the sesame seeds in sesame oil until lightly browned. Add rice, coconut milk, water, and salt. Simmer covered for 15–18 min, then let rest off heat. hellofresh.com
Form meatballs: In a large bowl, mix beef, panko, ginger, garlic, scallion whites, salt, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Shape into 10–12, 1½″ meatballs. frontrangefed.com+3hellofresh.com+3hellofresh.com+3
Roast: On a lightly oiled baking sheet, arrange meatballs on one side; toss green beans with oil, salt, and pepper on the other. Roast for 14–16 min (top rack for meatballs). hellofresh.com+2hellofresh.com+2hellofresh.com+2
Finish: Toss meatballs in firecracker sauce until evenly coated. Fluff rice with fork and season. Serve meatballs and sauce atop coconut rice with green beans on the side, garnished with scallion greens, sesame seeds, and chili flakes. thebigmansworld.com+8hellofresh.com+8hellofresh.com+8

Servings and Timing

Makes 2 servings (scale up to 4 servings with adjusted quantities).
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: ~30 minutes (15–18 min for rice, 14–16 min roast)
Total time: ~40 minutes hellofresh.com+1hellofresh.com+1

Variations

Protein swaps: Try ground pork, turkey, or chicken. Many prefer pork for extra juiciness. frontrangefed.com
Heat level: Add extra sriracha, chili flakes, or Korean chili crunch for more spice. reddit.com
Alternate sauces: Swap for peanut sauce or buffalo sauce for a different flavor profile.

Storage/Reheating

Fridge: Store leftovers in airtight container—meatballs + sauce up to 3 days; rice & beans similarly.
Freeze: Meatballs (without sauce) freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat.
Reheat: Microwave or reheat in skillet (gently to retain texture). Sauce can be microwaved briefly before tossing.

FAQs

### Can I freeze these meatballs?

Yes—freeze baked meatballs (before saucing) in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating and adding sauce.

### Can I cook them on the stovetop?

Absolutely. Brown meatballs in a skillet over medium-high heat, then simmer briefly until cooked through, about 7–10 minutes. hellofresh.com+6iheartnaptime.net+6coloradokelly.com+6

### What about air-fryer cooking?

Yes—air fry at 400 °F for ~10–12 minutes until cooked through.

### How should I store leftovers?

Keep in an airtight container in the fridge. Meatballs and sides stay good for up to 3 days.

### Can I prep ahead?

Yes—prepare the meatball mixture and refrigerate up to 1–2 days before baking. Or bake ahead and refrigerate before saucing.

### Can I use half pork, half beef?

Certainly. Many find a pork-beef combo juicier and equally tasty.

### My sauce thickens—what should I do?

It may thicken as it cools. Stir in a splash of water, vinegar, or coconut milk to adjust consistency.

### What internal temperature is safe for beef meatballs?

Beef meatballs are done at an internal temperature of 160 °F (71 °C).

### Can I skip the coconut rice?

Yes, you can serve with jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, noodles, or even pita for variation. frontrangefed.com

### Can I make it vegetarian?

Sub meatballs with veggie or plant-based meat alternatives and skip eggs if needed. Sauce works just the same.

Conclusion

This Firecracker Meatballs recipe delivers a quick, flavorful, and flexible weeknight dinner packed with sweet-spicy, creamy goodness. With options to prep ahead, customize proteins, or adjust heat levels, it’s a crowd-pleaser that fits into your routine easily. Enjoy the harmony of tender meatballs, zingy sauce, creamy coconut rice, and crisp green beans.

Firecracker Meatballs

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These Firecracker Meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and topped with a spicy, creamy sauce that packs a punch! Served with coconut rice and roasted green beans, this Hello Fresh copycat recipe is a quick and easy family-friendly dinner bursting with Asian-inspired flavors.

Author: Asma
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 5 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Sheet Pan, Baked
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Fusion
Diet: Gluten Free

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly oil or line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Place oven rack at the top position.
Make coconut rice: In a skillet, heat sesame oil and toast sesame seeds for 1–2 minutes. Add jasmine rice, coconut milk, water, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low and simmer for 15–18 minutes until fluffy.
Prepare meatballs: In a bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes. Add beef, scallion whites, garlic, ginger, salt, and red pepper flakes. Mix well and form into 1½-inch balls (20–22 meatballs).
Sheet pan bake: Arrange meatballs on one side of the sheet pan. Add green beans to the other side, toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and season with salt. Drizzle remaining oil over meatballs. Bake for 14–16 minutes until meatballs reach 165°F and green beans are tender.
Make sauce: In a bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth.

Assemble: Fluff rice and divide into bowls. Top with meatballs and green beans. Drizzle with firecracker sauce and garnish with scallion greens, extra sesame seeds, or chili crunch.

Notes

Substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef if preferred.
Adjust spice level by adding more or less sriracha/chili flakes.
Sauce and meatballs can be made ahead for meal prep.