Come try my Demi-Glace Beef and Pork Meatballs recipe, a fusion of ground pork and beef crafted into juicy, tender meatballs, and generously coated in a rich, sweet, and subtly tangy Asian-style demi-glace sauce! This recipe brings the flavors of Japanese cuisine right to your dinner table, and it’s not just delicious, but also a healthier and naturally homemade option. Get ready to savor the goodness of these mouthwatering meatballs!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
I adore this recipe for its perfect blend of ground pork and beef, creating an irresistible fusion of flavors! It’s a delightful combination of Japanese and European influences, making it a unique dish that appeals to a wide range of palates. Drawing inspiration from my beloved Japanese-style hamburger patty featured in my Hamburger Steak and Wafu Japanese Hamburger Steak recipe, we’ve transformed it into delightful bite-sized meatballs. These meatballs are juicy, with a sweet and tangy demi-glace sauce that elevates the dining experience!
What sets my recipe apart is its commitment to crafting healthy homemade meatballs, completely free from fillers or additives and only made with hand selected ingredients! And the best part? It’s a breeze to bake in the oven with a set and forget process, making it a convenient and flavorful choice for dinner tonight!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Ground Pork – fat>20% preferred.
- Ground Beef – fat>20% preferred.
- Butter – unsalted butter.
- Onion – yellow or brown onion.
- Garlic – grated.
- Panko – panko bread crumbs.
- Salt – sea salt preferred.
- Black Pepper – ground.
- Egg – medium or large.
- Half and Half – a blend of half heavy cream and half milk. Can be purchased at grocery stores.
- Nutmeg – a ground spice you can purchase in supermarkets.
- Red Wine – any type of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Red Blend).
- Ketchup – regular ketchup.
- Sweetener – use your preferred sweetener.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Worcestershire Sauce packed in a bottle. Found in grocery stores.
🍖 Ground Meat Note
Use a 50/50 blend of Ground Pork and Ground Beef with a minimum fat of 10%. This results in juicy meatballs that avoid drying out during the baking process.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
- Silicon Baking Mat or Parchment Paper
Directions
☑ Before Getting Started
To achieve the best results, use a Large Pan for the sauce to allow for proper reduction.
Step 1 Start by cooking diced onions until browned in butter.
Step 2 Combine cooked onions, grated garlic, ground pork, ground beef, salt, black pepper, egg, half & half, nutmeg, panko, and cooked onions. Make meatballs and bake at 400°F for 18-20 minutes.
🌡 Internal Temperature Check
For safe and juicy consumption, ensure that the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F.
Step 3 Prepare sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat and then add red wine, water, ketchup, sweetener, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer until thickened (6-8 minutes).
Step 4 Drizzle over meatballs or use as a dip.
💡 Meal Prep Pro Tip
For convenient meal prepping, consider preparing extra meatballs, baking them, and then freezing.
Paring Recommendations
To complement your meatballs, consider serving them with steamed vegetables paired with Miso Mayo dipping sauce or a green salad dressed in Caesar Dressing. These sides add a refreshing contrast to the savory meatballs. For a comforting soup option, Japanese Corn Soup is an excellent choice to complete your meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is demi-glace sauce?
Demi-glace sauce is a classic French sauce renowned for its rich and complex flavor. Traditional demi-glace involves ingredients like veal bones, celery, carrots, and a blend of herbs. However, in this particular recipe, we embrace a simplified, Japanese-inspired twist on demi-glace. This version simplifies the sauce, using a combination of butter, red wine, ketchup, sweetener, and Worcestershire sauce.
Is it essential to use red wine in the sauce?
Red wine adds depth of flavor to the sauce, but if you prefer a non-alcoholic option, you can omit it or use a substitute like grape juice.
Do I need to use both ground pork and beef, or can I use just one of them?
While a combination of both pork and beef provides a the best texture, you can use either one if you have a preference.
What's the ideal size for the meatballs?
Aim to make bite-sized meatballs, about the size of a golf ball, to ensure even cooking.
Storage Tips
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They will remain fresh for 3-5 days. When reheating, simply warm them up in the microwave.
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Watch How To Make It
Asian Meatballs with Demi-Glace Sauce
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1/2 lb Ground Pork fat>20% preferred
- 1/2 lb Ground Beef fat>20% preferred
- 1/2 tbsp Butter
- 2 tbsp Onion
- 2 Clove Garlic
- 2 tbsp Panko
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Egg
- 2 tbsp Half & Half
- 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
Demi-Glace Sauce
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 3 tbsp Red Wine
- 3 tbsp Water
- 3 tbsp Ketchup
- 1 tsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
- 3 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Line oven tray with aluminum foil and lightly spray cooking oil or use a silicone baking mat. Preheat oven to 400F.
- Dice onions.
- In a medium sized fry pan, add 1/2 tbsp butter on medium heat. Once butter is melted, add onion, cook until browned and set aside. Should take around 2-3 minute.
- Grate garlic with a grinder or a garlic press and transfer into a mixing bowl.
- Combine ground pork, ground beef, salt, black pepper, egg, half & half, nutmeg, panko, cooked onions from step 4) into the mixing bowl and mix well.
- Take a small amount of the meatball mix and throw from one hand to another while gently cupping the meatball with the palm of hands to form the shape. Meatballs should be bite-size and no bigger than a golf ball. You should end up with right around 18-22 meatballs. Place on the oven tray.
- Place the oven tray in the center of the oven and cook for 18-20 minutes (internal temp with meat thermometer should be 165F).
- Meanwhile, add 1 tbsp butter, red wine, water, ketchup, sweetener and Worcestershire sauce into a fry pan on medium-low heat. Mix and reduce until the sauce thickens, should take around 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat once thickened.
- Transfer meatballs onto serving plate and either drizzle sauce over meatballs serve as a dipping sauce.