Teriyaki Meatball Bowls (Printable)

Savory glazed meatballs over fluffy rice, topped with fresh cucumber and sesame seeds.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meatballs

01 - 1.1 lb ground beef or chicken
02 - 1 large egg
03 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
06 - 2 spring onions, finely chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
08 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Teriyaki Sauce

11 - 1/2 cup soy sauce
12 - 1/4 cup mirin
13 - 1/4 cup water
14 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
15 - 1 tablespoon honey
16 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
17 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water (slurry)

→ Bowls

18 - 1 1/4 cups uncooked jasmine or sushi rice
19 - 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
20 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
21 - 2 spring onions, sliced for garnish

# How to Make:

01 - Cook jasmine or sushi rice according to package instructions. Set aside and keep warm.
02 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, egg, panko breadcrumbs, minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped spring onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
04 - Shape the mixture into 20 to 24 small meatballs and arrange evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Bake meatballs for 15 to 18 minutes until cooked through and golden brown.
06 - In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, water, brown sugar, honey, and rice vinegar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
07 - Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat.
08 - Toss the baked meatballs in the teriyaki sauce until fully coated.
09 - Divide cooked rice among four bowls. Top with glazed meatballs, sliced cucumber, toasted sesame seeds, and sliced spring onions.
10 - Serve immediately for optimal freshness and flavor.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Homemade tastes infinitely better than frozen, and these come together faster than you'd think.
  • The teriyaki sauce gets this gorgeous glossy finish that makes the whole bowl feel special, not rushed.
  • You can prep everything ahead and just bake and sauce when hunger hits.
02 -
  • Don't skip mixing the cornstarch slurry into cold water first—adding dry cornstarch directly to hot sauce creates lumps.
  • Gentle mixing is everything with meatballs; you want them tender, not compressed like hockey pucks.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for a minute before sprinkling—it deepens their nuttiness and makes the bowl taste intentional.
  • Keep your teriyaki sauce slightly looser than you think you need it; it will continue thickening a little as it cools and clings to the meatballs.
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