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Homemade Sweet and Sour Meatball Recipe photo

Sweet and Sour Meatball Recipe

This Sweet and Sour Meatball Recipe is a flavor-packed delight! Tender meatballs smothered in a tangy-sweet sauce, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs:
  • 2 slices sandwich bread cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1/4 cup onion finely diced
  • 1 clove garlic grated
  • 1 ea egg
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black pepper
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tsp mustard
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tbsp onion finely diced
  • 1 clove garlic grated
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black pepper
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • to taste Green onion diced, for garnish

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Saucepan
  • Cooking spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the small pieces of sandwich bread and milk. Let them soak for about 5 minutes until the bread is soft. Then, add in the ground beef, finely diced onion, grated garlic, egg, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
  2. Using your hands, shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter. Place the formed meatballs onto a baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced evenly apart.
  3. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through. You can also switch to the broiler for a couple of minutes at the end for a nice caramelization on top.
  4. While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the ketchup, mustard, water, diced onion, grated garlic, salt, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is heated through.
  5. Once the meatballs are done baking, transfer them to the saucepan with the sweet and sour sauce. Gently stir to coat the meatballs evenly in the sauce. Allow them to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes to enhance the flavors.
  6. Serve the meatballs hot, garnished with diced green onions. They pair perfectly with steamed rice or noodles, making for a complete meal that delights everyone at the table.

Notes

  • Ensure the bread is well-soaked in milk to keep the meatballs moist.
  • Don’t overmix the meatball mixture; it can result in tough meatballs.
  • Adjust the sweetness of the sauce by varying the amount of brown sugar to your taste.