Description
This easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe features tender, juicy meatballs baked to perfection and coated in a tangy, flavorful sweet and sour sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or served over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal, this dish combines classic flavors with simple, straightforward preparation in under an hour.
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 ensures even cooking for the meatballs.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, ensuring they are evenly sized for uniform cooking. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare the Sauce: While meatballs are baking, combine ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons soy sauce in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) into the simmering sauce. Continue to cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Add the baked meatballs to the saucepan with the sweet and sour sauce. Toss gently to coat all meatballs thoroughly.
- Simmer Combined Dish: Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 5 minutes on low heat, allowing the flavors to meld perfectly.
- Serve: Serve the sweet and sour meatballs warm as an appetizer or over cooked rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- For juicier meatballs, avoid overmixing the meat mixture.
- You can substitute ground pork or a beef-pork blend for more flavor variety.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Adjust the sweetness or tanginess of the sauce by varying brown sugar and vinegar quantities to taste.
- Make ahead tip: Meatballs can be baked and frozen before adding sauce; reheat in sauce when ready to serve.
