Description
This Easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe features tender ground beef meatballs baked to perfection and coated in a tangy, flavorful homemade sweet and sour sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or served over rice or noodles as a satisfying main dish, this recipe is simple to prepare in under an hour and packed with balanced savory and sweet flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (or combination of meats)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (cornstarch slurry)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step ensures a hot oven for even cooking of the meatballs.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1-inch diameter meatballs, rolling them gently with your hands for uniform size. Place them spaced out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the meatballs are golden brown and fully cooked through. Ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for safety.
- Prepare the Sauce: While meatballs bake, in a medium saucepan combine ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons soy sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar and blend flavors.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) into the simmering sauce. Continue to cook and stir for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Add the baked meatballs directly into the saucepan with the thickened sauce. Toss gently to coat each meatball thoroughly.
- Simmer Together: Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 5 minutes over low heat to meld the flavors and heat through evenly.
- Serve: Serve the sauced meatballs hot as an appetizer or over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Adjust the brown sugar amount to taste if you prefer a less sweet sauce.
- To make the dish gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free crumbs and use tamari instead of regular soy sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in a saucepan or microwave before serving.
