Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a delightful combination of flavors, featuring juicy meatballs coated in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner, a party appetizer, or a potluck. The blend of savory meat with the vibrant sweet and sour sauce creates a mouthwatering experience that will leave everyone craving more. Serve these meatballs over rice or noodles, or enjoy them as a standalone dish for a burst of flavor in every bite.

### Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

**Ingredients:**

#### For the Meatballs:

– 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)

– 1/3 cup breadcrumbs

– 1/4 cup milk

– 1 egg

– 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped

– 2 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 tablespoon soy sauce

– 1 teaspoon salt

– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

– 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder (optional)

– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)

#### For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

– 1/2 cup ketchup

– 1/2 cup rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

– 1/3 cup brown sugar

– 2 tablespoons soy sauce

– 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)

– 1 cup pineapple chunks (optional)

– 1 small bell pepper, cut into chunks (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare the Meatballs:**

– In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and ginger powder (if using).

– Mix the ingredients until well combined but do not overwork the meat.

– Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs using your hands or a meatball scooper.

– Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

– Add the meatballs to the skillet in batches, cooking them until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. They do not need to be fully cooked through as they will simmer in the sauce.

– Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

2. **Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:**

– In the same skillet (drain excess oil if necessary), add the ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Stir well to combine.

– Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

– Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.

– If using, add the pineapple chunks and bell pepper to the sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.

3. **Combine and Simmer:**

– Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, stirring gently to coat them with the sweet and sour sauce.

– Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet.

– Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through and the flavors have melded together.

4. **Serve:**

– Serve the sweet and sour meatballs hot, garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

– Pair them with steamed rice, noodles, or even on their own as a delicious appetizer.

### Conclusion

Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a crowd-pleasing dish that perfectly balances the flavors of sweet, tangy, and savory. The tender meatballs paired with the vibrant sauce make this dish irresistible, whether served as a main course or a party snack. Enjoy this recipe for a delightful meal that’s sure to become a favorite in your household!

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a delightful combination of flavors, featuring juicy meatballs coated in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  

• For the Meatballs:
• - 1 lb ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
• - 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
• - 1/4 cup milk
• - 1 egg
• - 1/4 cup onion finely chopped
• - 2 cloves garlic minced
• - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• - 1 teaspoon salt
• - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• - 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder optional
• - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying
• #### For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
• - 1/2 cup ketchup
• - 1/2 cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• - 1/3 cup brown sugar
• - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• - 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water slurry
• - 1 cup pineapple chunks optional
• - 1 small bell pepper cut into chunks (optional)

Instructions

 

• *Prepare the Meatballs:**
• - In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and ginger powder (if using).
• - Mix the ingredients until well combined but do not overwork the meat.
• - Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs using your hands or a meatball scooper.
• - Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• - Add the meatballs to the skillet in batches, cooking them until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. They do not need to be fully cooked through as they will simmer in the sauce.
• - Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
• **Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:**
• - In the same skillet (drain excess oil if necessary), add the ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Stir well to combine.
• - Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• - Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
• - If using, add the pineapple chunks and bell pepper to the sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.
• **Combine and Simmer:**
• - Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, stirring gently to coat them with the sweet and sour sauce.
• - Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet.
• - Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through and the flavors have melded together.
• **Serve:**
• - Serve the sweet and sour meatballs hot, garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
• - Pair them with steamed rice, noodles, or even on their own as a delicious appetizer.