Easy & Delicious Kung Pao Beef Meatball Recipe

This easy Kung Pao Beef Meatballs recipe is an awesome combination of tender beef meatballs and a slightly spicy sauce. It’s a delicious version of a takeout favorite and a nice change of pace from a more traditional stir fry.

overhead view of a skillet filled with kung pao beef meatballs alongside small bowls of white rice, crushed peanuts, sliced green onions, and diced red pepper with text overlay "best ever beef kung pao meatballs"

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Kung Pao Meatballs are a favorite among my teenagers. This recipe works as easily for a weeknight dinner as it does for a hearty appetizer snack when they have friends over.

What You’ll Need To Make Quick & Easy Kung Pao Beef Meatballs

side view of a skillet filled with kung pao beef meatballs

For the Kung Pao Beef

  • 2 pounds of ground beef
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce

Kung Pao Sauce Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup water

Optional:

  • Sliced green onions, crushed roasted peanuts, diced red bell peppers, or sesame seeds for garnish
overhead view of a skillet filled with kung pao beef meatballs

How to Make Kung Pao Beef Meatballs

Make the Meatballs

First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.

Next, combine the ground beef, panko, egg, and chili garlic sauce in a large bowl. Roll the beef mixture into small meatballs. Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and place the meatballs slightly spaced out in a single layer on the pan.

Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.

Make the Kung Pao Sauce

Combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, and chili garlic sauce in a small bowl. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the sauce ingredients to the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally.

In a glass jar, mix the cornstarch and water until combined. Slowly pour the slurry into the sauce mixture, stirring it in as you pour.

Add the Meatballs

Add the meatballs to the pan, stirring to ensure they are coated in the savory sauce. Serve with your desired toppings and side dishes.

What To Serve With Kung Pao Beef Recipe

  • Lo Mein Noodles
  • White Rice
  • Cauliflower Rice
  • Brown Rice
  • Green Beans
  • Sesame Snow Peas
  • Spring vegetable mixture
  • Side salad with a variety of crunchy vegetables
close up overhead view of a skillet filled with kung pao beef meatballs alongside small bowls of white rice, crushed peanuts, sliced green onions, and diced red pepper

More Local Chinese Restaurant Inspired Recipes You’ll Want to Try

overhead view of a skillet filled with kung pao beef meatballs alongside small bowls of white rice, crushed peanuts, sliced green onions, and diced red pepper

Easy & Delicious Kung Pao Beef Meatball Recipe

Print Recipe
This easy Kung Pao Beef Meatballs recipe is an awesome combination of tender beef meatballs and a slightly spicy sauce. It’s a delicious version of a takeout favorite and a nice change of pace from a more traditional stir fry.
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:17 minutes

Ingredients

For the Kung Pao Beef

  • 2 pounds of ground beef
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce

Kung Pao Sauce Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup water

Optional:

  • Sliced green onions crushed roasted peanuts, or sesame seeds for garnish
  • Add in diced red bell peppers or green bell peppers for more bulk and extra crunch in this Kung Pao beef dish

Instructions

Make the Meatballs

  • First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Next, combine the ground beef, panko, egg, and chili garlic sauce in a large bowl. Roll the beef mixture into small meatballs. Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and place the meatballs slightly spaced out in a single layer on the pan.
  • Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.

Make the Kung Pao Sauce

  • Combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, and chili garlic sauce in a small bowl. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the sauce ingredients to the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
  • In a glass jar, mix the cornstarch and water until combined. Slowly pour the slurry into the sauce mixture, stirring it in as you pour.

Add the Meatballs

  • Add the meatballs to the pan, stirring to ensure they are coated in the savory sauce. Serve with your desired toppings and side dishes.
Course: Beef Dinner
Servings: 6
Author: Snug and Cozy Life

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