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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Blend ground beef, bread crumbs, finely chopped onion, egg, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl, ensuring thorough incorporation of all ingredients.
- Gently shape the meat mixture into uniform 1½-inch spherical meatballs, maintaining consistent size for even cooking.
- 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.
- Whisk brown sugar, water, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a separate bowl until the mixture transforms into a smooth, lump-free liquid.
- 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