Description

Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a delicious and satisfying dish featuring tender meatballs cooked in a tangy and flavorful sweet and sour sauce. Made with ground beef or turkey, seasoned with garlic, oregano, and Parmesan, these meatballs are pan-fried to a golden brown and then coated in a balanced sauce made from ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or served over rice for a hearty meal, this recipe is easy to follow and promises a comforting, crowd-pleasing result.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying)

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for extra tang)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup water (or more if you prefer a thinner sauce)

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Instructions

Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated for evenly flavored meatballs.
Shape the Meatballs: Form the meat mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should get approximately 20-24 meatballs depending on the size.
Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until they are browned on all sides and cooked through. Alternatively, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes if you prefer baking.
Prepare the Sweet and Sour Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard if using, garlic powder, and ground ginger. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Add a little water if you desire a thinner sauce consistency.
Coat the Meatballs: Remove the cooked meatballs from the skillet or oven and transfer them to a serving dish. Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce over the meatballs and gently toss to coat them evenly with the sauce.
Serve: Serve the Sweet and Sour Meatballs immediately. They work well as an appetizer or served over a bed of rice for a complete main course. Garnish optionally with extra chopped parsley or green onions for added freshness.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey for a leaner option.
If gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Baking is a great alternative to frying for a healthier preparation.
Adjust the amount of water in the sauce to achieve your preferred consistency.
Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a more filling meal.
Fresh parsley and green onions make excellent garnishes for added color and flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American