These Sticky Thai Meatballs with Peanut Sauce are a flavor-packed solution for weeknight dinner dilemmas. Made with juicy ground chicken and seasoned with garlic, ginger, and soy, they’re baked until golden and then tossed in a luscious, homemade peanut sauce that’s equal parts creamy, savory, and just the right hint of heat.
Serve them over jasmine rice, noodles, or even tucked into lettuce wraps for a fresh twist. They’re kid-friendly, meal-prep approved, and come together in just 35 minutes. Whether you’re looking to spice up your dinner routine or impress guests with something bold and delicious, these Thai-style meatballs will not disappoint.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 lb ground chicken or turkey
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1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
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1 egg
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
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2 tablespoons soy sauce
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1 tablespoon sesame oil
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1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
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2 green onions, finely chopped
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Salt & pepper to taste
For the Peanut Sauce:
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1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
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2 tablespoons soy sauce
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1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
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1 tablespoon rice vinegar
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1 tablespoon honey
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1 teaspoon sriracha
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1/4 cup warm water (to thin sauce)
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili flakes, green onions, salt, and pepper.
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Mix until just combined and form into 1-inch meatballs. Place them evenly spaced on the baking sheet.
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Bake for 18–20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
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While the meatballs bake, prepare the peanut sauce by whisking together peanut butter, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sriracha, and warm water until smooth and pourable.
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Once meatballs are done, transfer to a skillet over medium heat. Pour in the peanut sauce and toss to coat until warmed through, about 2–3 minutes.
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Garnish with extra green onions, sesame seeds, or crushed peanuts. Serve over jasmine rice or noodles.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: 310 kcal per serving | Servings: 4 servings
Why You’ll Love These Sticky Thai Meatballs with Peanut Sauce
Sticky Thai Meatballs with Peanut Sauce are more than just a quick, easy meal, they’re a vibrant, flavor-packed fusion of sweet, savory, spicy, and umami notes that make each bite addictive. Inspired by the rich flavors of Thai street food, these meatballs are juicy and tender, while the glossy peanut sauce clings to them like velvet. Whether you’re looking to spice up your weekly meal rotation, host a casual dinner party, or prep meals for the week, this dish is a certified crowd-pleaser.
Combining comfort-food vibes with bold Asian-inspired flavor, these meatballs can be enjoyed in many ways, from rice bowls and noodle dishes to appetizers and lettuce wraps. Plus, they’re baked instead of fried, which makes them lighter without sacrificing taste or texture. The creamy peanut sauce pulls everything together with depth and balance, and it’s just spicy enough to keep things interesting.
The Thai-Inspired Flavors Behind the Dish
Thailand is known for its masterful balance of flavors: sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and bitter. This dish leans into that tradition with ingredients like soy sauce (for saltiness and umami), honey (for sweetness), rice vinegar (for acidity), sriracha or chili flakes (for heat), and of course, peanut butter for richness and body.
The meatballs themselves are lightly seasoned with ginger, garlic, green onions, and sesame oil, simple but impactful aromatics that provide warmth and depth. Baking them keeps things convenient and hands-off, while also avoiding the mess of pan-frying.
Peanut sauce is a common component of Thai cuisine, often served with satay or noodles. Here, it becomes the luxurious finishing touch that elevates simple meatballs into something crave-worthy. The sauce is incredibly easy to make and can be adjusted to your taste, add more heat, sweetness, or acidity depending on your preference.
Ingredient Deep Dive
Let’s look at what makes each part of this dish shine:
Ground Chicken or Turkey
These lean proteins are perfect for soaking up the seasoning. They’re light, mild in flavor, and form tender meatballs that stay juicy when baked.
Breadcrumbs & Egg
Act as binders to hold everything together. Panko is preferred for its light texture, but regular breadcrumbs also work.
Garlic & Ginger
Classic aromatics that bring warmth and a touch of heat to the meatballs. Fresh is always best, but ground versions can work in a pinch.
Soy Sauce & Sesame Oil
Add umami depth and a slight nuttiness. Low-sodium soy sauce helps you control the salt level of the entire dish.
Green Onions
They brighten the meatballs with a fresh, herbaceous bite.
Peanut Butter
The base of the sauce. Creamy peanut butter offers a luxurious mouthfeel and classic Thai flavor.
Hoisin Sauce
Adds a savory-sweet profile and slight tang, enhancing the peanut sauce’s complexity.
Rice Vinegar & Sriracha
Provide acidity and heat. Adjust these to match your flavor tolerance.
Honey
Balances the savoriness of the sauce with a touch of sweetness.
Water
Thins the sauce to a perfect pourable consistency.
Serving Suggestions
One of the best things about these Thai meatballs is how versatile they are. Here are several ways to serve them:
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With Jasmine or Basmati Rice: A fluffy bed of white rice is the perfect canvas to soak up that glossy peanut sauce.
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Over Noodles: Rice noodles or soba noodles work great for a hearty, comforting bowl.
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In Lettuce Wraps: Make them low-carb by wrapping them in butter lettuce leaves. Add sliced carrots and cucumber for crunch.
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As Appetizers: Skewer them with toothpicks and serve on a platter drizzled with extra sauce.
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In Meal Prep Containers: Pair with brown rice and steamed broccoli for a nutrient-packed, make-ahead lunch.
Optional Garnishes
To elevate presentation and add texture, try these finishing touches:
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Crushed peanuts for crunch
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Sliced red chili for heat and color
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Fresh cilantro or Thai basil
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A wedge of lime for brightness
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Toasted sesame seeds
Customization Ideas
Want to make this recipe your own? Here are some easy variations:
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Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and certified GF breadcrumbs.
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Go Spicy: Double the sriracha or add Thai red curry paste to the sauce.
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Make it Sweeter: Add more honey or a splash of coconut milk for creaminess.
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Use Pork or Beef: You can substitute ground pork or lean beef, but keep in mind they’ll have more fat.
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Make it Vegan: Substitute meatballs with baked tofu cubes or plant-based meat alternatives and use a flax egg as a binder.
Storage and Reheating
These meatballs store incredibly well, making them ideal for meal prep.
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Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
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Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs and sauce separately for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave.
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Reheat: Microwave in 30-second intervals or warm in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Why This Dish Is a Great Choice for Families
Kids love anything bite-sized, and the slightly sweet, nutty flavor of the peanut sauce is generally very kid-friendly. Plus, it’s easy to sneak in grated veggies like carrots or zucchini into the meatball mix if you want to up the nutrition without changing the flavor profile too much.
For busy parents, it’s a win because the entire dish comes together in under 40 minutes, most of which is hands-off baking time. You can even make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge, so it’s ready to go whenever you are.
Healthier Than Takeout
This dish gives you full control over the ingredients and allows you to avoid unnecessary additives, preservatives, and excess sodium often found in takeout versions. By baking instead of frying and using lean meat, you can enjoy a rich and flavorful Thai-inspired dish without the guilt.
If you’re watching your sugar or sodium intake, you can modify the sauce by reducing hoisin and soy sauce and replacing honey with a touch of monk fruit sweetener or coconut sugar.
Hosting Tip: Turn It Into a Party Platter
Hosting a dinner or party? Serve these meatballs buffet-style with rice, fresh herbs, pickled veggies, lime wedges, and extra sauce. Let guests build their own bowls or wraps. Add a Thai cucumber salad on the side and maybe some Thai iced tea for a fully immersive experience!
Conclusion
Sticky Thai Meatballs with Peanut Sauce strike the perfect balance between ease, flavor, and versatility. Whether you’re cooking for one, feeding a family, or prepping meals ahead of a busy week, this recipe has everything you need: bold Thai-inspired taste, juicy protein, and a sauce that people will be licking off their plates.
From casual weeknight meals to elegant appetizers for guests, this dish can be dressed up or down and is always a hit. With just a few pantry staples and fresh ingredients, you can create a restaurant-worthy meal at home in under 40 minutes.
So, preheat that oven, mix up that peanut sauce, and get ready for some serious flavor. You’re about to fall in love with meatballs all over again, Thai style.