Oven-Baked General Tso’s Meatballs

These General Tso’s Meatballs are sticky, saucy and one of our favorite dinner recipes to make. These sweet and tangy meatballs are perfect for an easy meal and made with all gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients.

Growing up I used to beg my mom to order Chinese takeout anytime my dad was away. He wasn’t the biggest fan of Chinese food. And my mom and my brother and I had our orders down pat. We always got General Tso’s Chicken. Along with pork fried rice, egg rolls, spare ribs, pork lo main and some chicken with broccoli if we wanted something lighter.

I am obsessed with General Tso’s sauce and it is so easy to make a healthier version right at home. These meatballs are a fun and delicious twist on the takeout staple. And they are made with just a few ingredients. I do typically switch up the ground meat in them but most often I find myself using beef. So juicy, tender and insanely flavorful.

Typically General Tso’s Chicken is made with fried chicken and tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce. But this recipe instead using meatballs and it’s not fried. Making it a lighter way to satisfy your craving.

I cannot wait to hear what you guys think of this recipe! Let me know if you try it. I usually serve it with some rice and broccoli!

What ingredients you need to make these meatballs:

• Ground beef – or you can use ground turkey or chicken to make these
• Egg – I haven’t tried an egg sub but you can use one if you want
• Almond flour – or use almond meal
• Garlic powder and ground ginger – love this simple spice blend with salt and pepper for the meatballs
• Sesame oil – I use toasted sesame oil for this for flavor but you can use avocado oil too if you prefer
• Rice vinegar – I have also used apple cider vinegar
• Coconut aminos – or use soy sauce if not gluten-free
• Filtered water – needed for the sauce
• Arrowroot flour – or use tapioca flour or corn starch if you prefer
• Green onions – I use the green parts for this and add to the sauce
• Maple syrup – or use honey if you prefer

How to make healthier General Tso’s meatballs:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with oven-safe cooling rack or foil and spray
2. Add meatball ingredients into a large bowl and mix together to form about 12 medium-sized meatballs or 16 smaller meatballs (I use meat handling gloves)
3. Place meatballs on the baking sheet and bake in oven for 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F
4. While meatballs cook, whisk together sauce ingredients in a saucepan until combined
5. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and stir in green onion
6. Allow the sauce to thicken about 5 minutes and remove from heat
7. Serve meatballs with rice or desired base then glaze with sauce and enjoy!

FAQs and tips on making these General Tso’s Meatballs:

• How do I know when the meatballs are done? Once internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
• Can I cook the meatballs in a skillet over the stovetop instead? Absolutely! The cook time may vary in this case but you can. Grease/oil a skillet well then cook over medium heat, turning as needed.
• Do I have to use egg in these? it helps to bind them so the meatballs stick together and stay in meatball form.
• Can I use another flour? Gf breadcrumbs or almond meal can work too.
• How do I store these? In the fridge for 5 days or freezer for 2 months. Defrost/thaw in fridge overnight then reheat in microwave or in skillet

A few other delicious weeknight dinner recipes to try:

30-minute Kung Pao Meatballs (gluten-free)

The BEST One Pot Pad Thai Noodles

Turkey Meatballs with Feta and Spinach (gluten-free)

DELISH One-pot Enchilada Meatballs (gluten-free)