UntrainedChef
Honey-Fried Meatballs with Couscous - pork, dinner recipe

Honey-Fried Meatballs with Couscous

20 min
2 portions

Honey, dried fruit, and cinnamon give these pork meatballs a warm, slightly exotic twist. Ready in under 20 minutes on a weeknight.

Instructions

  1. 1

    Roll the mince into small round balls — a spoon helps here. Fry them in a hot pan with the margarine until cooked through, about 6 minutes, turning so they brown evenly.

  2. 2

    Meanwhile, bring the water, stock cube, butter, dried fruit, and cinnamon stick to a boil in a saucepan. Take it off the heat, stir in the couscous, put the lid on, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Fish out the cinnamon stick and fluff it up with a fork.

  3. 3

    Add the honey to the pan with the meatballs and fry for another 2 minutes until they're nicely glazed.

Per average serving

1.0k
Calories
kcal
33.4
Protein
g
98.9
Carbs
g
59.4
Fat
g
18.8g
Fiber
32g
Sugar
7319mg
Sodium

Tips from the kitchen

  • Wet your hands or the spoon before rolling the mince. Pork sausage mince is sticky, and damp hands keep it from gumming up so the balls stay round.
  • Keep the meatballs small. They cook through in about 6 minutes, and small ones brown more evenly when you turn them in the pan.
  • Wait until the meatballs are nearly cooked before adding the honey. It scorches fast, so the last 2 minutes is all you need to get that glaze without burning it.
  • Don't lift the lid while the couscous sits. Those 5 minutes off the heat are what cook it, so leave it alone and fluff with a fork after.
  • Pull the cinnamon stick out before serving. It does its job in the hot water but you don't want anyone biting into it.

Ways to vary it

  • Swap the dried fruit to suit what you have. Chopped apricots, raisins, or dates all work, and a mix is nice if your bag has odds and ends.
  • If you like a bit of warmth, a pinch of chili in the pan with the meatballs plays well against the honey and cinnamon.
  • Toasted almonds or pine nuts stirred through the couscous add some crunch if you want it.

Storage & leftovers

Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container. The meatballs freeze fine, but couscous goes a little mushy once thawed, so freeze them separately if you can. Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water so the glaze doesn't dry out and the couscous loosens back up.

What to serve with it

A simple green salad or some yogurt with a squeeze of lemon cuts through the honey nicely. Flatbread on the side if you want to mop up the pan.

UC
By Untrained ChefPublished 13 May 2026 · Updated 11 July 2026

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