Sweet & Savory Braised Meatballs: A Kid-Friendly Side Dish Recipe
Simple and Delicious Braised Meatballs
Here’s a simple recipe for delicious braised meatballs that are perfect as a side dish for kids! We’ve used store-bought frozen meatballs and a simple sauce base of ketchup and tonkatsu sauce, creating a dish that’s both flavorful and easy to make. The tender meatballs and crisp vegetables make this a hit with the whole family. It’s quick enough for busy weeknights and makes a wonderful addition to lunchboxes too.
Main Ingredients- 20 store-bought frozen meatballs
- 1/3 carrot (approx. 50g)
- 1/2 onion (approx. 100g)
- 2 shiitake mushrooms (optional)
Braising Sauce- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 Tbsp tonkatsu sauce
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (adjust sweetness to taste)
- 100ml water
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 Tbsp tonkatsu sauce
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (adjust sweetness to taste)
- 100ml water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your frozen meatballs. Although they are pre-cooked, searing them will enhance their flavor and texture. Lightly oil a pan and over medium-low heat, gently roll the meatballs around until they are lightly browned on all sides. This step adds a wonderful depth of flavor.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables and mushrooms that will add color and texture. Dice the carrot and onion into bite-sized pieces, about 0.5 cm thick, so they are easy for children to eat. Slice the shiitake mushrooms to a similar size. If shiitake mushrooms are unavailable, you can omit them.
Step 3
It’s time to make the delicious braising sauce. Pour 100ml of water (about half a standard Korean paper cup) into a pan. Add 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of tonkatsu sauce, and 1 tablespoon of corn syrup. If you prefer it sweeter or less sweet, feel free to adjust the amount of corn syrup. Stir everything together over medium heat until the sauce begins to simmer.
Step 4
Once the sauce is simmering, add the seared meatballs to the pan. Gently stir the meatballs to coat them evenly with the sauce and let them braise for about 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Step 5
When the meatballs have absorbed some of the sauce, add the diced carrots, onions, and shiitake mushrooms. Continue to simmer for about 5 more minutes, adjusting the heat between medium and low to prevent burning and to allow the vegetables to cook until tender-crisp. The goal is to have them cooked through but still retain a slight bite.
Step 6
Your delicious, sweet, and savory braised meatballs are ready! This dish is incredibly simple to make but delivers fantastic flavor. Serve it over warm rice for a delightful meal that kids will absolutely love. This is a versatile dish that will be a welcome addition to your meal rotation!
