Sweet and Sour Meatballs

4.5
(471)
374 Reviews
36 Photos

This sweet and sour meatball recipe came from my mother-in-law. I got it shortly after I was married and now it is a favorite of our kids. I like to serve it over rice.

Submitted by Cathy
Updated on November 12, 2024
Tested by
Allrecipes Test Kitchen
Tested by Allrecipes Test Kitchen
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high angle looking at a plate full of saucy sweet and sour meatballs
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Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
5
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 5 servings

Meatballs:

  • 1 pound ground beef

  • 1 cup dry bread crumbs

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 1 egg

  • salt and pepper to taste

Sweet and Sour Sauce:

  • 1 cup brown sugar

  • 1 cup water

  • ½ cup ketchup

  • ½ cup cider vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions

  1. Make meatballs: Mix beef, bread crumbs, onion, egg, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl until well combined.

    Overhead of meatball ingredients sitting in a bowl, ready to be mixed.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Shape mixture into 1 1/2-inch diameter balls.

    Overhead of uncooked meatballs resting on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Cook meatballs in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until evenly browned and cooked through.

    Meatballs being cooked in a skillet with sauce in a bowl off to the side.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Make sauce: Mix brown sugar, water, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch together in a medium bowl until smooth.

  5. Pour sauce over meatballs. Reduce heat to low and simmer until sauce is thick, 3 to 5 minutes.

    Meatballs cooking in a skillet with red sauce added and bubbling.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Serve hot and enjoy!

    high angle looking at a plate full of saucy sweet and sour meatballs

    DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 
636 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

601 Calories
26g Fat
71g Carbs
20g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 5
Calories 601
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 26g 34%
Saturated Fat 10g 52%
Cholesterol 114mg 38%
Sodium 878mg 38%
Total Carbohydrate 71g 26%
Dietary Fiber 2g 5%
Total Sugars 51g
Protein 20g 41%
Vitamin C 5mg 6%
Calcium 102mg 8%
Iron 4mg 19%
Potassium 477mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.