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Soy Honey Salmon Meatballs Recipe served over rice in a blue bowl, garnished with fresh herbs and sesame seeds.
Reda

Soy Honey Salmon Meatballs

Juicy salmon meatballs glazed in a sticky-sweet soy honey sauce that turns weeknight dinner into something special.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian-American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1.5 lb salmon fillet, skin removed fresh, finely chopped or pulsed in food processor
  • 0.75 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 3 scallions thinly sliced, white and green parts divided
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger finely grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce for meatball mixture
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
For the Glaze
  • 0.25 cup honey
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar unseasoned
  • 1 tsp sriracha optional, for heat
  • 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water to make slurry
For Serving
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 4 cups cooked rice for serving

Equipment

  • Large Rimmed Baking Sheet
  • Large skillet
  • Microplane or fine grater
  • Mixing Bowls

Method
 

Prep and Mix
  1. Chop the salmon into small pieces, then pulse in a food processor until finely minced but not pureed - you want some texture. Transfer to a large bowl. Add panko, beaten egg, white parts of scallions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Gently mix with your hands until just combined. Do not overwork or the meatballs will be tough.
  2. With damp hands, roll the mixture into 18 to 20 meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Place on a plate and refrigerate for 10 minutes while you preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. This helps them hold their shape.
Bake
  1. Arrange meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet with space between them. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until just firm to the touch and lightly golden on top. They will finish cooking in the sauce, so do not overbake.
Make the Glaze
  1. While meatballs bake, combine honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha in a large skillet over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 minutes until slightly reduced. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1 minute more until the glaze is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Glaze and Serve
  1. Transfer the baked meatballs to the skillet and gently toss to coat in the glaze. Cook over medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally, until the glaze is sticky and clings to the meatballs. Sprinkle with reserved scallion greens and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over rice.

Notes

For the best texture, hand-chop the salmon rather than fully processing it - you want small pieces, not paste. The mixture will feel softer than beef or pork meatballs, so chilling before baking is essential. Make ahead: Form and refrigerate raw meatballs up to 8 hours ahead, or freeze on a baking sheet then transfer to a bag for up to 1 month - bake from frozen, adding 5 minutes.