Sweet and sour meatballs are delightful and perfect for family dinners, parties, or potlucks. They combine the savory flavor of juicy meatballs with a tangy and slightly sweet sauce that’s sure to please various taste buds. This recipe is easy to follow and can be prepared in under an hour.
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef or ground pork (or a mix of both)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice (optional but recommended for a fruity twist)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
Optional Garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or lightly grease it.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Mix thoroughly but gently to avoid overworking the meat, which can make the meatballs tough.
- Roll the mixture into balls about 1 inch in diameter and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and slightly browned.
Step 2: Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice (if using).
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar and combine the flavors.
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan and continue stirring until the sauce thickens. This usually takes 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: Combine and Cook
- Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to the saucepan with the sweet and sour sauce. Gently stir to coat the meatballs evenly.
- Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 4: Serve
- Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a pop of flavor and color.
- Serve warm over steamed rice, or noodles, or as an appetizer with toothpicks for easy handling.
Tips and Variations:
- Make it Spicy: Add a dash of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a bit of heat.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace meat with plant-based ground meat or cooked lentils and shredded zucchini for a vegetarian version.
- Pan-Fry Instead of Bake: For a richer flavor, pan-fry the meatballs in a bit of oil until browned before adding them to the sauce.
- Make Ahead: The meatballs and sauce can be prepared a day in advance. Simply reheat them together on the stove before serving.
- Freezing: Both cooked meatballs and sauce freeze well. Store them separately or combined in an airtight container for up to three months.
Why This Recipe Works:
This recipe combines tender, flavorful meatballs with a perfectly balanced sweet and sour sauce, making it a crowd-pleaser. Baking the meatballs ensures they’re cooked evenly and stay juicy, while the sauce’s simplicity allows the dish to come together quickly without sacrificing taste. Whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining guests, sweet and sour meatballs are a versatile and reliable dish.
Enjoy the warm, tangy, and savory goodness of these sweet and sour meatballs—a recipe that’s as comforting as it is delicious!
Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Sweet and sour meatballs are a delightful dish, perfect for family dinners, parties, or potlucks.
Ingredients
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound 450g ground beef or ground pork (or a mix of both)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice optional but recommended for a fruity twist
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water slurry
- Optional Garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Mix thoroughly but gently to avoid overworking the meat, which can make the meatballs tough.
- Roll the mixture into evenly sized balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and slightly browned.
- Step 2: Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice (if using).
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar and combine the flavors.
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan and continue stirring until the sauce thickens. This usually takes 2-3 minutes.
- Step 3: Combine and Cook
- Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to the saucepan with the sweet and sour sauce. Gently stir to coat the meatballs evenly.
- Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Step 4: Serve
- Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a pop of flavor and color.
- Serve warm over steamed rice, noodles, or as an appetizer with toothpicks for easy handling.