Description
Spicy Jerk Meatballs in Creamy Coconut Curry Sauce – Flavorful and comforting dish featuring juicy meatballs in a spicy curry sauce. Perfect for a crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454g) ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
- ½ lb (227g) ground pork
- ¼ cup (25g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning paste
- 3 green onions, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 can (13.5 oz/400ml) full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 Scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, jerk seasoning, green onions, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Gently mix with your hands until just combined – avoid overmixing. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and make the mixture easier to handle. Once chilled, form into approximately 20 meatballs (about 1½ inches in diameter), setting them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 2: Brown the Meatballs Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid crowding, sear the meatballs on all sides until nicely browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. They don’t need to be fully cooked through at this stage. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate and set aside.
- Step 3: Create the Curry Base In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add onions and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add ginger and garlic, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in the curry powder and allspice, stirring constantly for 30 seconds to toast the spices without burning.
- Step 4: Develop the Coconut Curry Sauce Pour in the coconut milk and chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – these contain tremendous flavor! Add brown sugar and minced hot pepper (if using). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly and flavors to intensify.
- Step 5: Combine and Finish Carefully return the meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and have absorbed some of the sauce flavors. Stir in lime juice, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over individual portions.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 meatballs
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 135mg