Blackberry Jam Meatballs: A Sweet & Savory Appetizer Recipe
Get ready to experience a flavor explosion with these incredible Blackberry Jam Meatballs! These aren’t your average meatballs. We’re talking juicy, mini pork meatballs bathed in a simple yet unforgettable glaze that’s sweet, tangy, and downright addictive. Seriously, you’ll be licking the spatula clean! Whether you’re looking to impress guests with unique cocktail meatballs at your next party or searching for a delicious and easy main course served over fluffy steamed coconut rice, these little bites of heaven are guaranteed to be a hit.
I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve made this recipe twice in the last five days. Yes, it’s that good! The combination of hoisin sauce and blackberry jam is my new favorite glazing secret. And here’s another little trick I discovered: Mini-muffin pans are the ultimate meatball-baking vessels. The individual compartments work wonders, creating a beautifully golden brown crust while keeping the insides extra juicy. Trust me, it’s a game changer!
One of the best things about these blackberry jam meatballs is their incredible versatility. They’re perfect as appetizers, served on skewers or in small bowls. But don’t underestimate their potential as a main course! Paired with steamed rice and vibrant vegetables like snow peas, bok choy, or Chinese green beans, they transform into a complete and satisfying meal.
Let’s not forget the magic of Chinese five-spice powder! This is one of my absolute favorite seasoning blends. It’s my secret weapon for hoisin glazed chicken wings, and it adds a delightful kick to my Asian-inspired shrimp tacos. This versatile Chinese spice is a harmonious blend of star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. It’s a symphony of sweet, savory, and spicy notes that elevates any dish it touches.
Why You’ll Love These Pork Meatballs
- Unforgettable Flavor: The Chinese five-spice powder adds a unique depth of flavor you won’t find in ordinary meatballs.
- Party Perfect: Serve these as cocktail meatballs and watch them steal the show at your next gathering. Guests will be begging for the recipe!
- Amazingly Moist: These meatballs are incredibly juicy and tender, thanks to the combination of ingredients and the baking method.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in 35 minutes or less, these meatballs are perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute get-togethers.
- Simple Glaze: The sweet and savory glaze is made with just two ingredients, making it a breeze to prepare.
Ingredients for Blackberry Jam Meatballs
- Milk: Opt for whole milk to add a richer flavor to the meatballs. Ensure it’s at room temperature for better incorporation with the other ingredients.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: These act as a fantastic binding agent for the meatball mixture, helping them hold their shape.
- Ground Pork: I love using ground pork for its flavor, but feel free to substitute with your favorite ground meat, such as ground chicken, turkey, or beef.
- Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic is essential for the best flavor. Finely mince it to ensure even distribution throughout the meatball mixture.
- Chinese Five-Spice Powder: This brings a warm and complex spice blend to the meatballs, adding a unique depth of flavor. Adjust the quantity based on your personal preference, as this spice blend can be quite intense. Start small and add more to taste!
- Scallions: These add a mild onion flavor and a hint of freshness to the meatballs. Reserve some chopped scallions for garnish to add a pop of color and vibrancy to the finished dish.
- Egg: The egg acts as a crucial binding agent, holding the meatball mixture together and preventing them from falling apart during cooking.
- Soy Sauce: This infuses a savory, umami flavor into the meatball mixture, enhancing the overall taste. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the salt content.
- Sesame Oil: This infuses a subtle nutty flavor into the meatballs. Look for toasted or Asian sesame oil, as it has a more robust and pronounced flavor. A little goes a long way!
- Hoisin Sauce: This sweet and tangy sauce adds depth and richness to the glaze, creating a complex and irresistible flavor profile.
- Blackberry Jam: This adds a delightful sweet and fruity element to the glaze, complementing the savory flavors of the meatballs and hoisin sauce. If needed, grape jelly or blueberry jam can serve as substitutes, although the flavor will be slightly different.
- Snow Peas: These are optional, but they add a perfect crunchy contrast to each bite.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Blackberry Jam Meatballs
Let me walk you through the easy process of making these flavorful bites. While I prefer to use a mini muffin pan for that perfect golden crust, don’t worry if you don’t have one! Simply coat a baking dish with cooking spray, and arrange the meatballs in rows, ensuring they have enough space to cook evenly.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, stir together the milk and Panko breadcrumbs. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the milk, creating a more tender meatball. Then, add the ground pork, minced garlic, Chinese five-spice powder, chopped scallions, beaten egg, soy sauce, and sesame oil to the bowl.
- Shape and Cook the Meatballs: Use your hands to thoroughly combine the meat mixture, ensuring all the ingredients are evenly distributed. Shape the mixture into balls, using about 3 tablespoons of meat per meatball. Place the shaped meatballs into a greased mini muffin pan or baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes in a preheated 500ºF (260ºC) oven, or until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown.
- Make the Blackberry Glaze: While the meatballs are baking, whisk together the hoisin sauce and blackberry jam in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the jam is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Glaze the Meatballs: Remove the meatballs from the oven and either transfer them in batches into the glaze, tossing to coat each meatball evenly, or brush the meatballs generously with the glaze.
Meal Prep Tip: The meatball mixture can be made a day in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator until ready to use. This is a great way to save time when preparing for a party or a busy weeknight meal.
Essential Recipe Tips for Perfect Meatballs
- Don’t Overmix: When you’re combining the ingredients, mix just until they’re incorporated. Overmixing can result in dense and tough meatballs. A gentle touch is key to achieving a tender and juicy texture.
- Use a Scoop: For uniform meatballs, use a small cookie scoop to shape them. This ensures that every meatball is the same size, resulting in even cooking and a more aesthetically pleasing presentation. It also speeds up the shaping process considerably!
- Grease Your Pan: Whether you’re using a mini muffin pan or a baking dish, don’t forget to grease it generously! Otherwise, the meatballs will stick, making them difficult to remove and potentially ruining their shape.
- Chinese Five-Spice Powder: Embrace the complexity of this unique spice blend, but start with a modest amount if it’s your first time using it. You can always adjust to your taste in future batches. The flavor can be quite intense, so start with a teaspoon and add more gradually until you reach your desired level of spiciness.
- Test for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure your meatballs are cooked through completely. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Frequently Asked Questions About Blackberry Jam Meatballs
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs up to a day in advance. Simply cover them tightly and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. This is a great time-saving option for busy days when you want to get a head start on meal preparation.
Yes, you can! Freezing the unglazed meatballs is a convenient way to have them on hand for quick meals. After baking and allowing them to cool completely, arrange the unglazed meatballs on a baking tray, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Flash freeze them until firm, then transfer them to ziptop freezer bags or airtight containers, making sure to remove excess air. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, you can reheat them in the oven or microwave and glaze them before serving.
If you don’t have blackberry jam, raspberry, grape, or blueberry jam make excellent substitutes. These alternatives will offer a similar sweet and tangy profile to complement the savory flavors of the meatballs.
While the Chinese five-spice powder adds a unique depth of flavor, you can still make delicious meatballs without it. The flavor profile will be slightly different, but the meatballs will still be tasty. If you’d like, you can try substituting with a blend of cinnamon, cloves, and ginger for a similar warming spice flavor.
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different glazes to create a variety of flavor profiles. Try my teriyaki sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or orange sauce instead. The possibilities are endless!
Explore More Asian-Inspired Recipes
- Quick Chicken Chow Mein
- 30-Minute Mongolian Beef
- Orange Chicken and Broccoli
- Easy Chicken Potstickers
- Chicken Lo Mein
- Quick Korean Beef Bowls
- Spicy Chicken Wontons
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