Sweet and Sour Meatballs: A Zesty Homemade Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that satisfy everyone at the table.

These irresistible sweet and sour meatballs combine tangy and savory flavors in a mouthwatering dish.

Tender beef meatballs simmered in a glossy, vibrant sauce create an instant crowd-pleaser.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of zesty and sweet notes that dance across your palate.

The recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy households.

Minimal ingredients and simple preparation ensure you can whip up this crowd-favorite meal with ease.

Serve these delectable meatballs over rice or alongside your favorite vegetables for a complete and satisfying dinner.

Sweet & Sour Meatballs: What Sets Them Apart

• This recipe offers a speedy solution for busy weeknight dinners, requiring minimal prep and cooking steps that anyone can master.
• Sweet and tangy sauce combined with juicy meatballs creates an irresistible taste that appeals to both kids and adults, making it a guaranteed family favorite.
• Perfect for serving over rice, as an appetizer, or alongside your favorite side dishes, these meatballs adapt to multiple dining scenarios from casual gatherings to potluck parties.
• Using common pantry staples and basic ground beef, this recipe proves you can create restaurant-quality meals without complicated or expensive ingredients.

What Goes Into Sweet & Sour Meatballs

• Ground Beef: A protein-rich foundation that provides hearty flavor and substance for the meatballs.
• Bread Crumbs: Helps bind the meat mixture and adds a light, tender texture to the meatballs.
• Egg: Serves as a crucial binding agent to hold the meatball mixture together.

• Onion: Adds a subtle sweet and sharp flavor to enhance the overall taste of the meatballs.
• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the meat.

• Brown Sugar, Water, Ketchup, Vinegar, Soy Sauce: Work together to create a balanced sweet and tangy sauce with complex flavor layers.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce and create a glossy, smooth coating for the meatballs.

Tools to Prep Sweet & Sour Meatballs

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining ground beef and other meatball ingredients.
• Nonstick skillet: Essential for browning meatballs evenly without sticking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps measure ingredients accurately for balanced flavor.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for mixing meatball ingredients and stirring sauce.
• Cutting board: Provides clean surface for preparing ingredients.

Cooking Up Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Step 1: Create Meaty Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, finely chopped onion, a beaten egg, salt, and black pepper.

Use your hands to blend everything thoroughly, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the meat.

Step 2: Shape Perfect Spheres

Gently roll the meat mixture between your palms, crafting uniform meatballs approximately 1½ inches in diameter.

Try to keep them consistent in size for even cooking.

Step 3: Sizzle and Brown Meatballs

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium flame.

Carefully place meatballs into the pan, allowing them to develop a golden-brown exterior.

Rotate occasionally to ensure all sides cook evenly, which typically takes 8-10 minutes.

Verify doneness by cutting into a meatball to confirm no pink remains.

Step 4: Whip Up Tangy Sauce

• Brown sugar
• Water
• Ketchup
• White vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Cornstarch

Blend until the mixture becomes completely smooth with no lumpy bits.

Step 5: Combine and Simmer

Pour the vibrant sauce over the cooked meatballs.

Reduce heat to low, allowing the sauce to gently simmer and thicken for 3-5 minutes.

Stir occasionally to coat meatballs completely and prevent sticking.

Get the Most from Your Meatballs

• Use your hands to gently combine ingredients without overworking the meat, which keeps meatballs tender and juicy.
• Create uniform 1½-inch meatballs using a small ice cream scoop or measuring spoon for consistent cooking.
• Adjust cornstarch amount to control sauce consistency – more cornstarch makes a thicker sauce, less keeps it lighter.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a healthier protein option without losing flavor complexity.
• Prepare meatballs and sauce separately, then combine just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy balls.

Sweet & Sour Meatball Twists

• Gluten-Free Makeover: Swap bread crumbs with gluten-free panko or almond flour, and use tamari instead of soy sauce for a celiac-friendly version.
• Lean Protein Alternative: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter, lower-fat meatball that still packs delicious flavor.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Craft meatballs using plant-based ground meat alternatives like Beyond Meat or lentils mixed with mushrooms for a protein-rich vegetarian option.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for those who love a zesty, heat-packed sweet and sour experience.

What to Pair with Sweet & Sour Meatballs

• Crowd-Pleasing Party Platter: Arrange meatballs on a large wooden board with toothpicks, perfect for easy grabbing during game nights or family gatherings.
• Comfort Bowl Delight: Serve over fluffy white rice or steamed jasmine rice to soak up the delicious sweet and sour sauce, creating a complete meal.
• Appetizer Elegance: Present on small cocktail plates with fresh chopped green onions sprinkled on top for a pop of color and extra flavor, ideal for dinner parties or potlucks.
• Lunch Box Hero: Pack in a sealed container with rice for a tasty work or school lunch that stays delicious and warm until mealtime.

Leftover Meatballs: Storage Basics

• Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Pack meatballs and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers. They'll stay fresh for 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place meatballs in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of water to prevent drying, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals for even warming.
• Warm meatballs in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a little water or extra sauce to keep them moist and prevent sticking. Stir gently until heated through.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly and creates a leaner meatball option that still tastes delicious with the sweet and sour sauce.

• How fine should I chop the onion?

Dice the onion very finely, almost to a minced consistency, so it blends smoothly into the meatball mixture without creating large chunks.

• Is there a way to make these meatballs gluten-free?

Substitute regular bread crumbs with gluten-free bread crumbs or almond flour, and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce to keep the recipe gluten-free.

• Can I prepare the meatballs ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can form the meatballs and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before cooking, which helps them hold their shape and develop deeper flavor.

Easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

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4.9 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory sweet and sour meatballs deliver a tantalizing Asian-inspired flavor profile perfect for weeknight dinners. Lean ground beef, aromatic spices, and a zesty sauce create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatball Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) dry bread crumbs
• 1 whole onion, chopped
• 1 egg
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) brown sugar
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) ketchup
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) cornstarch

Seasoning Ingredients:

• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Blend ground beef, bread crumbs, finely chopped onion, egg, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl, ensuring thorough incorporation of all ingredients.
2. Gently shape the meat mixture into uniform 1½-inch spherical meatballs, maintaining consistent size for even cooking.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium temperature, carefully placing meatballs to brown evenly for 8-10 minutes, rotating periodically to ensure complete cooking throughout.
4. Whisk brown sugar, water, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a separate bowl until the mixture transforms into a smooth, lump-free liquid.
5. Lower the skillet’s heat and cascade the prepared sauce over the cooked meatballs, allowing them to simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and thoroughly coats each meatball, creating a glossy, rich glaze.

Notes

• Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create lighter meatballs.
• Ensure meatballs are uniform in size for even cooking and consistent texture.
• Use fresh breadcrumbs instead of store-bought for a more tender and moist result.
• Experiment with ground turkey or chicken for a healthier protein alternative that works perfectly with this sweet and sour sauce.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg