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Gluten Free Sticky General Tso’s Pork Meatballs

Skip the takeout! These sweet, sticky, spicy, and saucy meatballs will have you licking the sauce from your chopsticks. Gluten Free Sticky General Tso’s Pork Meatballs are easy enough to make any day of the week but perfect to entertain with.

Gluten Free Sticky General Tso's Pork Meatballs

Meatballs are always a favorite. Whether they’re floating in a comforting bowl of soup like Gluten Free Italian Wedding Soup with Kale, or this Asian-inspired recipe, they never last long.

Ingredients

Gluten Free Sticky General Tso’s Pork Meatballs combines the rich and beautiful canvas of ground pork with pantry staples that pack sweet and savory flavor. While the list might seem a little long, it’s all easily accessible ingredients, most of which you probably have.

  • Ground Pork – This recipe was made with Niman Ranch ground pork. Niman Ranch supports the largest network of US family farmers. They believe in sustainability and humane animal care while also producing the finest tasting meat.
  • Egg
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Fresh Ginger Adds depth to these meatballs and a hint of warmth.
  • Garlic – Brings savory flavor to both the meatballs and also the General Tso’s sauce.
  • Gluten Free Panko – Helps bind the meatballs together and keep them tender.
  • Dairy Free Milk – Softens the panko. Use your favorite such as oatmilk.
  • Tomato Paste – Gives umami and sweetness to both the meatballs and also the sauce.
  • Chili Paste – Gives a hint of garlicky spice to the meatballs that balances the sweetness in the sauce.
  • Scallions – Provides a fresh delicate hint of onion.
  • Chicken Stock – The base for the sauce.
  • Cornstarch – Helps thicken the sauce and give it that glossy finish.
  • Pineapple Juice – Gives both sweetness and tang to the sauce.
  • Ground Red Pepper – Just a pinch provides a hint of spice. Like it spicy? Add a little more!
  • Rice Wine Vinegar – Gives tang to the sauce while balancing the sweetness. Rice wine vinegar is a little more mild and less acidic than other varieties of vinegar.
  • Sesame Oil – Provides a nutty back note to this General Tso’s sauce while giving it depth.
  • Brown Sugar – Balances the tangy flavors in the sauce and provides sweetness. Helps make this sauce a little sticky.
  • Gluten Free Soy Sauce – Balances the sweet flavors with its salty umami.

How to Make Gluten Free Sticky General Tso’s Pork Meatballs

Skip ordering takeout! These saucy and sassy meatballs will be on the table in less time than delivery. The best part you have complete control over all of the ingredients, the quality, and flavor.

Time needed: 35 minutes

Savory pork meatballs are hugged in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy sticky Asian inspired sauce.

  1. Mix

    Add all of your ingredients for the meatballs to a bowl. Mix until they are just combined, being careful not to over mix. Use a scoop to make 1 1/2″ to 2″ meatballs.

  2. Brown

    Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add vegetable oil. Allow the oil to heat through before adding your meatballs, careful not to crowd. Let them brown on all sides. Cook them till they have an internal temperature of 165. Remove and allow them to drain on a paper towel lined plate.

  3. Slurry

    Whisk together the cornstarch and chicken stock. Add the slurry to a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until it begins to thicken.

  4. Saucy

    Add the remaining ingredients and stir until the sauce has completely thickened.

  5. Finishing Touch

    Add the meatballs into the sauce and toss to fully coat them. You can serve them as an appetizer, or with rice as a main course.

Variations

This recipe is completely Gluten Free and Dairy Free. However, the same recipe can be made with regular milk and also regular panko breadcrumbs.

Like things spicy? Add Thai peppers to your sauce or finish with a few fresh slices of jalapeno.

How to Serve General Tso’s Meatballs

Have fun garnishing your meatballs! A sprinkle of sesame seeds will echo the nutty flavor of the sesame oil in the sauce while giving texture. Cilantro or green onions will add a pop of freshness.

These Asian meatballs can be served on their own as an appetizer perfect for gameday. They can also be served over Gluten Free rice noodles or as part of a rice bowl. Have fun making them your own!

Storage

These meatballs are perfect for meal prep and reheat easily either on the stove or in the microwave. Keep them stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and they will keep for up to a week.

Top Tip for Gluten Free Sticky General Tso’s Pork Meatballs

Besides the sweet and savory sauce, these pork meatballs are all about the texture. To make sure that your meatballs remain tender and airy and never dense, don’t over work your meat mixture. Always mix them until they are just combined.

Gluten Free Sticky General Tso's Pork Meatballs

Gluten Free Sticky General Tso’s Pork Meatballs

Tender pork meatballs are combined with a sweet and savory General Tso's inspired sticky sauce.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Servings: 12 meatballs

Equipment

  • 1 Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Skillet
  • 1 saucepan

Ingredients

Pork Meatballs

  • 1 lbs ground pork
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp fresh ground ginger
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 3/4 cup Glute Free panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/8 cup Dairy Free milk
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp chili paste
  • 3 tbsp scallions, chopped

General Tso's Sauce

  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • pinch of ground red pepper
  • 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 5 tbsp Gluten Free soy sauce

Instructions

Pork Meatballs

  • Add all of the ingredients for the meatballs to a bowl. Mix until they are just combined, careful not to over mix.
  • Use a 1 1/2" to 2" scoop to form even sized meatballs.
  • Heat a skillet over medium heat with 1/8 cup olive oil. Add the meatballs, careful not to overcrowd. You can work in batches.
  • Fry the meatballs on all sides, allowing them to brown. Cook them until the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
  • Transfer the cooked meatballs to a paper towel lined plate to drain.

General Tso's Sauce

  • Whisk together the cornstarch and chicken stock.
  • Add the slurry to a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until slightly thickened.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and stir until completely thickened.
  • Add the meatballs into the sauce and toss to coat.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired. Enjoy!

Video

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