5.0 from 12 votes
Indonesian Beef Meatballs
These Easy Indonesian Beef Meatballs with classic sweet, spicy and umami Nasi Goreng flavors are served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce. Great as a party appetizer.EASY - This is an easy appetizer with lots of bold flavors. You can make the meatballs the day before and cook them before serving them as well. US based cup, teaspoon, tablespoon measurements. Common Measurement Conversions. Weight measurements are recommended for accurate results. Please note that there is an optional overnight chilling step in this recipe.
Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 45 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
3 hrs
Servings: 26 meatballs
Calories: 75 kcal
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
Asian , Indonesian
Ingredients
Beef Meatballs
- 500 g ground beef with at least 15% fat
- 2 tbsp sambal oelek Indonesian hot chili sauce
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper less if you prefer it to be less spicy
- 1 tsp garlic powder or 3-4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- ½ medium yellow onion about 120 g, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ketjap manis Indonesian sweet soy sauce
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- ¼ tsp Turmeric
- Generous pinch of nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tbsp dark brown sugar or palm sugar
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Dipping Sauce
- 1 yellow onion about 200 g, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp sambal oelek
- 1 tbsp chili flakes/crushed red pepper use less if you prefer it to be less spicy
- ¼ tsp minced ginger
- 1 tbsp palm sugar or 1 tbsp packed dark brown/light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp ketjap manis
- ½ tsp fish sauce
- water to thin out the sauce
Instructions
Beef Meatballs
- Place finely chopped onions on a clean serviette or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much of the moisture from them. Then add the onions into a big bowl.
- Add all the ingredients of the spice mix, the breadcrumbs and beef, and mix to combine.
- Using a 2 inch cookie scooper, scoop out the meatball mix and roll it into balls. You should get about 24 - 28 meatballs, depending on the size.
- Let the meatballs rest for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours in the fridge (covered).
- Pan frying - heat a couple of tbsp of oil in a non-stick pan. Place a few meatballs in the pan (must be cooked in batches) and cook for 5 - 6 minutes, turning them every few minutes for even browning.
- Oven - preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place the meatballs about 1 - 1 ½ inches apart and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 - 30 minutes, flipping them over once halfway through.
- Let the meatballs rest for a few minutes and serve warm or at room temperature.
- These can be stored in the fridge, but leave them out at room temperature before you serve them.
Cup of Yum
Dipping Sauce
- Heat a non-stick pan with 2 - 3 tbsp oil. Heat over medium heat. Place the onions in the pan and cook on medium heat for 30 minutes while stirring until the onions reduce and caramelize. Add the sambal oelek, chili flakes/crushed red pepper, sugar and ginger, and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add the soy sauce, ketjap manis and fish sauce, and mix well and let it come to a simmer. The sweet and spicy dipping sauce should be thick in consistency.
- Add extra water to thin it out if needed. Serve the dipping sauce warm.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1meatball + dipping sauce
Calories
75kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
6g
(2%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
14mg
(5%)
Sodium
174mg
(7%)
Potassium
83mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
21IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
11mg
(1%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 26meatballs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 75
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1meatball + dipping sauce | |
| Calories | 75kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 14mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 174mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 83mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 21IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 11mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.