These Sweet & Sour Meatballs are the ultimate crowd-pleaser with tender, saucy meatballs, glossy with a sticky-sweet-tangy glaze that clings to every single bite. You can serve them as a fun appetizer with toothpicks or spoon them over rice for a satisfying dinner, making this one recipe that works for pretty much any occasion.
They come together with a short ingredient list you probably already have on hand, and the whole thing is ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish. The sauce strikes that perfect balance of tangy vinegar, sweet brown sugar, and savory soy sauce, so every meatball gets that classic sweet and sour flavor you crave. Plus, baking the meatballs instead of frying them keeps things simple and means less cleanup for you.
Helpful Tips
- Don’t overmix the meat: Combine the meatball ingredients just until they come together, since overworking the mixture leads to dense, tough meatballs instead of juicy ones.
- Let the sauce thicken properly: Give the sauce a full 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat so it reduces to that glossy, clingy consistency instead of staying thin and watery.
- Toss gently to coat: When you combine the meatballs and sauce, stir gently rather than vigorously so the meatballs stay intact and evenly coated.
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Sweet & Sour Meatballs
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon EACH salt and black pepper
For the sauce:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic minced
- sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Mix gently just until combined. Don’t overmix, or the meatballs can turn tough.
- Roll into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the baking sheet. Make sure they aren’t touching. Bake for 12 minutes or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Meanwhile, add sauce ingredients to a small saucepan and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, until thickened.
- When the meatballs are done, add them to a bowl. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and stir to combine.
- Serve with sesame seeds. Can be served over rice, if desired.
Nutrition
Angela’s passion for discovering and experimenting with new flavors and recipes is at the heart of her culinary philosophy. Residing in a quaint Oregon town, she finds joy and inspiration in her kitchen. Angela has a lot of expertise in cooking and she eagerly shares her discoveries and unique creations with you.