Whole 30 Whole30 Asian-Style Meatballs

Total time45 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time25 min

These savory, ginger-forward pork meatballs deliver all the bold, umami-rich flavor you'd expect from your favorite Asian-inspired takeout — without a single ingredient that falls outside the rules. The real trick is the glaze, which swaps soy sauce for coconut aminos and uses arrowroot starch to get that glossy, clingy consistency that coats every meatball beautifully. A quick sear in avocado oil builds a golden crust before the oven finishes the job, so you get texture and juiciness in the same bite. Fresh garlic, grated ginger, and a hit of red pepper flakes go straight into the meat mixture, meaning the flavor is baked in from the start — not just painted on at the end. Rice vinegar and fresh lime juice keep the glaze bright and balanced, cutting through the richness of the pork in exactly the right way. The whole thing comes together in under 30 minutes and serves four, making it just as practical for a weeknight dinner as it is impressive enough to put in front of guests. Finish with sliced scallion tops and a scatter of sesame seeds and it looks like you put in way more effort than you actually did.

About Fig

Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.

Learn more →

Ingredients

4 servings

For the meatballs

1 lb ground pork
Private Selection Natural Duroc Ground Pork Ground Pork Kroger Ground Pork Open Nature Pork Ground Pork 80% Lean 20% Fat - 16 Oz 90% Lean Ground Pork
See all
1 large egg
3 scallions, thinly sliced (white and light green parts for meatballs; dark green tops reserved for garnish)
1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
½ tsp red pepper flakes
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp avocado oil

For the glaze

⅓ cup coconut aminos
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
1 tsp arrowroot starch
1 tsp toasted sesame oil

For serving

1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, egg, white and light green scallion slices, 1 tbsp grated ginger, minced garlic, 1 tsp sesame oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix with your hands until just combined — stop as soon as the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Want the full recipe?

Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!