Mongolian Meatballs & Broccoli Stir-Fry
This Mongolian Meatballs & Broccoli Stir-Fry is a quick, flavorful dish combining juicy meatballs simmered in a rich Mongolian-inspired sauce with crisp-tender broccoli. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners, it offers a balanced and satisfying meal with authentic Asian flavors, all prepared in one pan for minimal cleanup.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian, Mongolian
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using tamari and gluten-free cornstarch)
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or pork
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Stir-Fry Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- Green onions and toasted sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef or pork with minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped green onions, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Mix gently but thoroughly, just until everything is incorporated to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form and Cook the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small, even-sized meatballs for uniform cooking. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the meatballs until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Stir-Fry the Broccoli: In the same skillet, toss in the broccoli florets with a splash of water and stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. This step keeps broccoli texture intact and adds a fresh crunch.
- Make the Sauce and Combine: Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl. Pour the sauce over the broccoli in the skillet, then return the meatballs to the pan. Stir everything together gently to coat the meatballs and broccoli evenly in the rich Mongolian sauce. Cook for another couple of minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Finish with Sesame Oil: Drizzle toasted sesame oil over the stir-fry right before serving, adding a wonderful nutty aroma and depth to the dish.
Notes
- Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion meatballs evenly for consistent cooking.
- Cook meatballs in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding and ensure even browning.
- Choose firm, bright green broccoli for best texture and flavor.
- Taste the sauce and adjust sugar or soy sauce as desired before combining.
- Use high heat for stir-frying to keep vegetables crisp and meatballs nicely seared.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Mongolian meatballs, broccoli stir-fry, quick dinner, Asian flavors, easy recipe, gluten-free option