• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Missing Lokness

Easy Everyday Recipes

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • So-Cal Travel Guide
  • Privacy Policy

Hoisin Pork and Turkey Meatballs with Zucchinis

January 18, 2017 By Lokness 3 Comments

These juicy meatballs are seasoned with hoisin sauce and chili garlic sauce, and topped with a hoisin glaze. A perfect sweet and savory combination with a little kick. 

Remember I said that I would tell you more about our trip last week? We are going to JAPAN and HONG KONG in February! Three years ago, we went to Tokyo and Bryan fell in love with Japan, so we are going back. This time, we are heading to Kyoto, Osaka and Nara. We will be in Japan for 10 days and then, we will go to Hong Kong for 5 days.

In the past month or so, I have been spending a lot time in researching and putting the Japan itinerary together. Matcha, temples, okonomiyaki, and deer… Super exciting! My mind has been filled with everything about Japan these days. Earlier this week, I even dreamt about Kobe beef and matcha parfait (in real dreams). Guys, I think I am seriously going a little overboard! 😛

Ok, enough of Japan for now. Let’s talk about meatballs. This week, I am sharing a recipe from Blue Apron. Few months ago, Bryan and I received a Blue Apron gift from a friend. We tried it out for 2 weeks. We really enjoyed everything. The recipes are easy to follow and the food were delicious. If I am not a food blogger and I don’t need to develop recipes, I will definitely continue with Blue Apron. Let me be clear, this is not a sponsored post. We simply love all the food we tried, especially these meatballs.

What made these meatballs special? It’s all about the hoisin sauce and chili garlic sauce. Little sweetness and little kick. Instead of just using ground turkey, I mixed in ground pork as well, which added more flavors. These little meatballs were moist and packed with flavors. Toss them with the tender zucchini slices and combine everything with a reduced hoisin glaze. Along with hot steamed rice, this is a balance and incredibly delicious meal. Who needs to order take-out when you can make something better at home?

Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Hoisin Pork and Turkey Meatballs with Zucchinis

Course Dinner
Cuisine Asian
Keyword asian, hoisin sauce, meatball, pork, turkey, zucchini
Servings 2 servings
Author Lokness

Ingredients

  • 2 zucchinis (cut lengthwise in half and cut crosswise into ¼-inch thick pieces)
  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce
  • ½ cup water
  • 3 green onions (the green part, cut into ½-inch pieces)
  • black sesame seeds (optional)
  • white sesame seeds (optional)
  • vegetable oil
  • salt
  • ground black pepper

Meatballs:

  • 3 green onions (only the white part, finely chopped)
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon ginger (minced)
  • 5 ounces ground pork
  • 5 ounces ground turkey
  • ¼ cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  • 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Hoisin sauce
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ground black pepper

Instructions

  • In a medium nonstick pan over medium-high heat, heat 2 teapoons vegetable oil. Add the white part of green onions, garlic, and ginger. Cook and stir until softened and fragrant, about 1 – 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let it cool to room temperature.
  • In a large bowl, using your hands, gently mix the ground pork and ground turkey until almost blended. Add panko, chili garlic sauce, Hoisin sauce and the cooled green onion and ginger mixture. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and pinch of ground black pepper. Gently combine everything together. Form the mixture into 14 – 16 meatballs and place on a large plate.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 6 – 7 minutes. Make sure to rotate them for even cooking. Transfer the meatballs to a large plate. Set aside.
  • In the same pan over medium-high heat, add 2 teaspoons vegetable oil. Add zucchinis and cook until lightly browned and slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add ¼ cup hoisin sauce, ½ cup water and meatballs. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the sauce is thickened slightly and the meatballs are cooked through, stirring occasionally. If needed, season with salt and pepper. Transfer meatballs and zucchinis to servings plates. Top with the green part of green onions and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Notes

  1. Hoisin sauce and chili garlic sauce can be bought from Asian supermarkets, some Asian isles in regular supermarkets or Amazon (this and this).
  2. If you like spicy food, add more chili garlic sauce in the meatballs.
(Adapted from Blue Apron)

Filed Under: Cook, Pork, Poultry Tagged With: asian, meatballs, pork, turkey, zucchini

Previous Post: « Ham & Corn Pasta Bake
Next Post: Coconut Red Bean Pudding »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karly says

    January 19, 2017 at 1:10 pm

    I’ve never met a meatball I haven’t liked, and by the looks of this that’s not stopping anytime soon! These look ah-mazing!

    Reply
  2. Cynthia says

    November 10, 2019 at 12:51 pm

    5 stars
    So I just ate…YUMMY!! I didn’t have any chili garlic so I just increased the garlic and hoisin and added a squirt of hot pepper sauce. I also mixed jasmine and brown rice. This is going in the dinner rotation!

    Reply
    • Lokness says

      November 10, 2019 at 1:38 pm

      Thank you for stopping by and letting me know! I’m so happy to know you enjoyed the dish. Love the idea of hot pepper sauce in the meatballs. I may have to steal that idea. 😉

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hello there!

Welcome! I'm Lokness. Currently live in Los Angles. Grew up in Hong Kong. Obsessed with chocolate & ice cream. Cooking is something I love. This is where I share my stories and recipes. Want to know more? Click here.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Popular Posts

  • Hong Kong Style French Toast | This Hong Kong classic is stuffed w/ peanut butter & pan fried until golden brown. It’s sweet & savory. It makes a great breakfast or afternoon tea! #stuffedfrenchtoast #frenchtoast #hongkongrecipe #chachaanteng #hongkongstylecafe #bread #easyrecipe #peanutbutter #goldensyrup #afternoontea #breakfast #breakfastrecipe | The Missing Lokness Hong Kong Style French Toast

  • Brown Sugar Mashed Sweet Potatoes #sweetpotato #mashedsweetpotato #brownsugar #sidedish #dinner #dinnerrecipe #vegetarian #easyrecipe | The Missing Lokness Brown Sugar Mashed Sweet Potatoes

  • Hong Kong Style Macaroni Soup w/ Ham | Light & comforting noodle soup to start the day! Ready in less than 20mins. #macaroni #noodlesoup #pasta #hongkongstylecafe #chachaanteng #breakfast #breakfastrecipe #comfortfood #hongkong | The Missing Lokness Hong Kong Style Macaroni Soup with Ham

  • Mendocino Farms Curried Couscous with Roasted Cauliflower #sidedish #pastasalad #couscous #curry | The Missing Lokness Mendocino Farms Curried Couscous with Roasted Cauliflower

  • Hong Kong Style Borscht Soup #soup #hongkongfood #vegetables #beefbone #borschtsoup | The Missing Lokness Hong Kong Style Borscht Soup

missinglokness

🍩 Recipe Developer & Food Lover (I cook & eat around the city!) 🐹 Animals Lover 🏠 Los Angeles🌴(From HK 🇭🇰)

Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Soup. It may still be 80˚F Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Soup. It may still be 80˚F (29˚C), but I’m already leaning into fall vibes. This soup starts with roasted kabocha squash & thyme, blended w/ onion, garlic, & chicken broth until silky smooth. Topped w/ crispy pancetta, a drizzle of cream, & fresh thyme. It’s layered w/ sweetness, umami, & creaminess. I’ve loved every sip, and I know I’ll be making it again (and again!) once the weather finally cools down. 🎃🍂 

Recipe link in profile ⬆️ #ontheblog #TheMissingLokness

https://www.themissinglokness.com/2025/09/18/creamy-roasted-pumpkin-soup/
S’mores Crispy Rice Cereal Treats. A fun twist o S’mores Crispy Rice Cereal Treats. A fun twist on the classic. Easy, no-bake, & guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser! My favorite part? Toasting the marshmallows w/ a kitchen torch for that perfectly charred, smoky flavor.🤎 These Rice Krispies treats make the best party snacks or a sweet little afternoon pick-me-up!

Recipe link in profile ⬆️ #ontheblog #TheMissingLokness

https://www.themissinglokness.com/2025/08/28/smores-crispy-rice-cereal-treats/
Peach and Cream Crumble Popsicles.🍑 Obsessed is Peach and Cream Crumble Popsicles.🍑 Obsessed is an understatement! Tangy homemade peach jam, smooth cream, & a crunchy crumble topping. Every bite is sweet, tangy, creamy, & crisp all at once. Fun to make, even better to eat! 

Recipe link in profile ⬆️ #ontheblog #TheMissingLokness

https://www.themissinglokness.com/2025/08/14/peach-and-cream-crumble-popsicles/
Next-level beef bowl!🥩🍚 Red Rock is now open Next-level beef bowl!🥩🍚 Red Rock is now opened at The Shops at Santa Anita. It’s a cozy spot w/ only about 14 bar seats, but we’re thrilled they’re now on this side of town. This Japanese restaurant first opened in Torrance in 2017, & we’ve made the trek there a few times. Now? Way more convenient! 

Their claim to fame is the sliced beef don. A rice bowl piled high with tender roasted beef, drizzled w/ sweet soy sauce & creamy yogurt sauce, then crowned with a rich raw egg yolk. In my opinion, the yolk is non-negotiable. It adds extra flavors.

While you’re there, don’t skip the croquette. Perfectly crispy on the outside, with a creamy, savory mashed potato center. Absolute comfort food.

Next time, I’m determined to try their omurice or curry… if I can resist ordering that beef bowl again.😅

🌟 Red Rock The Shops at Santa Anita (2 more locations in SoCal & many in Japan)
📍 400 S Baldwin Ave # M20, Arcadia, CA 91007
❣️ Slice Beef Don, Beef and Potato Croquette
If there is a salad that I can’t stop eating, it If there is a salad that I can’t stop eating, it’s this one, Burrata Salad w/ Marinated Tomato & Thai Basil. Creamy, bright flavors & no cook. I love how well the savory Thai basil pair w/ sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh cucumbers & creamy burrata. Amazing! 

Recipe link in profile ⬆️ #ontheblog #TheMissingLokness

https://www.themissinglokness.com/2025/07/31/burrata-salad-with-marinated-tomato-and-thai-basil/
Cherry Granita w/ Mascarpone Cream. Refreshing Ita Cherry Granita w/ Mascarpone Cream. Refreshing Italian style shaved ice made w/ fresh cherries, & paired w/ a creamy mascarpone topping. It’s sweet, little tart, refreshing & creamy all at once! No shaved ice machine is needed. All you have to do is to scrape the fruit liquid with a fork every once a while. That’ll prevent the liquid turning into a giant black of ice. You’ll get these flavorful tiny ice flakes at the end. 🍒🧊🍧

Recipe link in profile ⬆️ #ontheblog #TheMissingLokness

https://www.themissinglokness.com/2025/06/26/cherry-granita-with-mascarpone-cream/
Favorite Breakfast Burritos. This is my copycat ve Favorite Breakfast Burritos. This is my copycat version of The Rooster’s Rico Suave burrito. Jammy fried eggs, crispy tater tots, smoky bacon, creamy avocado, melty cheddar & salty cotija cheese. And don’t forget the sauces, salsa de molcajete & cilantro crema. It’s hearty, filling & comforting! Yes, this is no doubt our favorite burrito! 

Recipe link in profile ⬆️ #ontheblog #TheMissingLokness

https://www.themissinglokness.com/2025/05/29/favorite-breakfast-burritos/
Happy 17th! ❤️ Happy 17th! ❤️
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 · The Missing Lokness · Privacy Policy

 

Loading Comments...