Juicy Pan-Fried Meatballs

Name: Juicy Pan-Fried Meatballs
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 people
Ingredients: 10.5 oz Minced Meat; 1.5 oz Crackers; 2 tbsp Milk; 1 count Egg; 1 tsp Garlic Powder; 1 tsp Onion Powder; 1 tsp Meat Spice; 0.5 tsp Salt; 0.5 tsp Black Pepper; 1 tbsp Olive Oil

Under 30 MinsHigh ProteinStovetop • Meal Prep FriendlyDinnerComfort FoodAmerican

Easy

20min

430kcal

2people

MACROS

per serving

※gProtein

◆gFat

▣gCarbs

◎gSugar

◇gFiber

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Tender, perfectly seasoned homemade meatballs that are crispy on the outside and incredibly juicy on the inside.

If you have ever wondered how to make the perfect homemade meatballs, look no further than these Juicy Pan-Fried Meatballs. Making meatballs from scratch is incredibly rewarding, and this recipe uses a brilliant culinary trick to ensure they stay incredibly tender: the panade. Instead of standard breadcrumbs, we are crushing up some of your everyday crackers and soaking them briefly in a splash of milk. This secret step traps moisture inside the Juicy Pan-Fried Meatballs, preventing the minced meat from drying out as it sears in the hot pan. The flavor profile relies on your pantry staples, utilizing savory meat spice, fragrant garlic powder, and onion powder to pack a punch into every single bite. These Juicy Pan-Fried Meatballs are incredibly versatile. You can serve them straight out of the skillet with a side of instant mashed potatoes, toss them in a simple BBQ sauce glaze, or nestle them into a bowl of your favorite pasta. When forming the balls, remember the golden rule of ground meat: handle it gently! Overworking the minced meat will result in dense, heavy meatballs. Just mix the egg, soaked crackers, and spices until barely combined, then roll them softly. Cooking them in a splash of olive oil over medium heat creates a beautifully caramelized, crispy exterior while keeping the center melt-in-your-mouth soft. Whether it is a quick weeknight dinner or part of a weekend meal prep, these are guaranteed to become a household favorite.

Ingredients

300 g Minced Meat (about 2/3 lb)
40 g Crackers (about 10-12 crackers)
2 tbsp Milk
1 count Egg
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Meat Spice
0.5 tsp Salt
0.5 tsp Black Pepper
1 tbsp Olive Oil

Instructions

1
Crush the crackers finely into a large bowl, then stir in the milk to create a thick paste. Let it sit for a minute to soften.
2
Add the minced meat, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, meat spice, salt, and black pepper to the bowl.
3
Mix everything gently with your hands just until combined. Avoid overmixing so the meatballs stay tender.
4
Roll the mixture into small, golf ball-sized portions.
5
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
6
Add the formed meatballs to the skillet and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally until they are deeply browned on all sides and cooked completely through.

Chef's Tips

•If the mixture feels a bit too wet to roll easily, let it rest in the fridge for 10 minutes before shaping.
•Wet your hands slightly with water before rolling the meat to prevent it from sticking to your palms.
•For extra flavor, toss the finished meatballs in a couple of tablespoons of BBQ sauce right at the end of cooking.

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Recipe By

Kitchen Buddy Chef