Zesty Meatballs
Get ready to elevate your dinner game with these irresistible Zesty Meatballs, a vibrant twist on a classic comfort food! This recipe combines the rich flavors of ground beef and pork with a zesty citrus kick from fresh lemon zest and a luscious orange-honey glaze. Enhanced with aromatic garlic, fresh parsley, and just the right amount of heat from red chili flakes, these meatballs are seared to golden perfection before being bathed in a sweet and tangy glaze. Quick and easy to prepare in under an hour, these juicy meatballs are perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a hearty main dish served over pasta, rice, or fresh greens. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply looking for a flavorful weeknight meal, these Zesty Meatballs are sure to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams ground beef
- 250 grams ground pork
- 100 grams breadcrumbs
- 50 grams parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 whole zest of a lemon
- 15 grams parsley, chopped
- 0.5 teaspoons red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 50 milliliters orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, lemon zest, chopped parsley, red chili flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well incorporated. Avoid overmixing as it can make the meatballs dense.
Using your hands, form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should end up with about 18-20 meatballs.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
Sear the meatballs for about 4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown. Remove them from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to low and add the freshly squeezed orange juice and honey. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer for 1-2 minutes to create a light glaze.
Return the meatballs to the skillet and gently toss them in the orange-honey glaze, ensuring they're fully coated.
Cover the skillet and let the meatballs cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until they are fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
Serve the zesty meatballs warm, garnished with extra parsley if desired. Enjoy as an appetizer or pair with rice, pasta, or salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
712 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 51.0 g | 65% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.4 g | 92% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 187 mg | 62% | |
| Sodium | 1010 mg | 44% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 22.2 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.6 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.5 g | ||
| Protein | 41.7 g | 83% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 203 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 4.5 mg | 25% | |
| Potassium | 531 mg | 11% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
