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Sweet and Spicy Apricot Glaze for Meatballs & Dipping Sauce

sweet & spicy meatball appetizer garnished with chives and sesame seeds

This Sweet & Spicy Apricot Glaze balances the fruity sweetness of apricot preserves with the heat of Sriracha for a simple, versatile sauce. It’s ideal for tossing with meatballs to serve as an appetizer, or spooned over rice with steamed vegetables for an easy main course. It also makes a tasty dip for chicken strips, fries, or crispy tofu.

The sauce comes together in about five minutes using only five ingredients, and it stores well in the fridge for a few days.

sweet & spicy apricot glaze being served as a sweet & spicy meatball appetizer with toothpicks

How to Make Sweet & Spicy Apricot Glaze

Quick and straightforward—follow these steps:

  • Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk to combine.
  • Place over medium-low heat and bring to a gentle simmer.
  • Cook for about 3 minutes, whisking occasionally, until the glaze is glossy and slightly thickened.
  • Remove from heat. For an extra-smooth texture, blend briefly with an immersion blender.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature.
sweet & spicy apricot glaze being poured over the best baked meatballs

Recipe Notes

  • If you prefer a milder sauce, reduce the Sriracha by half.
  • Blending is optional; use it if your apricot preserves contain large fruit pieces and you want a silky finish.

Serving Suggestions

Toss the glaze with baked meatballs, then garnish with sesame seeds and sliced chives. Serve with toothpicks as a party appetizer, or present the glazed meatballs over steamed rice with a side of vegetables for a satisfying meal.

Vegan Option: The glaze itself is vegan—toss it with crispy baked tofu or roasted vegetables and serve over rice for a plant-based main.

sweet & spicy meatball appetizer garnished with chives and sesame seeds

Enjoy!

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Sweet & Spicy Apricot Glaze

A quick glaze that combines apricot jam with soy sauce, Sriracha, brown sugar, and onion powder. Great for meatballs, as a dipping sauce, or for glazing tofu and vegetables.
4.80 from 20 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes

Equipment

  • Immersion hand blender (optional)

Ingredients

  • ½ cup Apricot jam or preserves
  • 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Sriracha (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon Brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk to combine.
  2. Heat over medium-low until it reaches a gentle simmer.
  3. Simmer for about 3 minutes, whisking occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  4. Remove from heat. Blend with an immersion blender if you prefer a smooth texture.
  5. Serve warm or cool and refrigerate any leftovers.

Notes

For Sweet & Spicy Meatballs: Pour the glaze over cooked meatballs, toss to coat, and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced chives. Serve with toothpicks as an appetizer or over rice as a main.

Vegan Option: Use the glaze on crispy baked tofu or roasted vegetables for a delicious plant-based dish.

Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: vegan option, sauces, quick
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The Sweet & Spicy Apricot Glaze is featured in the “The Best Baked Meatballs” video.

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