Sweet and Sour Meatballs
These tender homemade meatballs are coated in a tangy, sticky sweet and sour sauce made with brown sugar, vinegar, and ketchup—perfect over rice or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Asian-Inspired
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
1 lb ground beef
1 cup dry bread crumbs
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 large egg
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
½ cup ketchup
½ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
Prepare the Meatballs:
In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, egg, salt, and pepper until just combined.
Form into 1½-inch meatballs and place on a tray.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in a single layer and cook for 10–12 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Drain any excess grease.
Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, water, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch until smooth.
Pour sauce over the cooked meatballs in the skillet.
Reduce heat and simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens and coats the meatballs.
Serve:
Serve hot over steamed rice, noodles, or as an appetizer.
Optional: Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds.
Notes
Make ahead: Meatballs can be pre-cooked and frozen. Reheat in sauce when ready to serve.
Swap proteins: Ground pork or turkey also work well in this recipe.
Sauce tweak: Add a dash of chili flakes for a spicy version.
Meal idea: Serve with steamed broccoli or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
Find it online: https://allrecipesmade.com/sweet-and-sour-meatballs/
