Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

These sweet and sour meatballs are bursting with sweet, hot, sour, and garlicky flavors! It’s perfect for a quick and easy dinner that tastes like takeout!

I love quick, hearty, flavorful dinner ideas. And when you crave takeout dishes like honey walnut shrimp or Empress chicken, this sweet and sour meatballs recipe fits right in.

The tanginess from the vinegar, sweetness from the brown sugar, subtle heat from the chili sauce, and fragrance from the garlic make these sweet and sour meatballs incredibly satisfying!

Why this recipe works

I tend to make these meatballs for quick dinners, but they are also great for entertaining too. When I have to feed a crowd, it’s so easy to double or triple this recipe, and there are NEVER any leftovers.

• Easy to make. If you think making meatballs would be time-consuming and tedious, try this recipe. Trust me, it’ll soon become your kitchen regular.
• It tastes like takeout. This copycat recipe tastes like the one from your favorite takeout but is homemade, healthier, and cheaper.
• Quick to make. It takes about 30 minutes to make, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you want something fast.

Ingredients Needed

These sweet and sour meatballs are so easy to make: besides the meat and some seasonings, there isn’t much else that is needed. Here is what you’ll need:

• Ground beef. I have used ground beef, but feel free to combine ground beef and pork to make your meatballs. Ensure your ground meat has a little fat in it so the meatballs remain juicy.
• Bread crumbs. Any regular breadcrumbs will do, but I like to use Italian flavored ones because they work so well with the sauce.
• Onion. For the flavor. Personally, I find grating the onion really adds some depth of flavor compared to mincing or chopping them up.
• Egg. To bind everything together.
• Salt and pepper. To taste.
• Italian seasoning. To flavor the meatballs.
• Oil. To sauté the meatballs.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

• Oil. To sauté the aromatics. Any neutral oil will work for this step.
• Garlic. For a smooth sauce, I prefer using minced garlic.
• Water. To make the sauce. If I have leftover vegetable or chicken stock, I use it instead of water for added flavor.
• Vinegar. For the acidity. White vinegar is best, but apple cider vinegar will also work. If you don’t have either on hand, use some lemon juice.
• Sweet chili sauce. This slightly spicy and sweet sauce is my absolute favorite. Buy Thai or Asian sweet chili sauce from any grocery store.
• Light brown sugar. It adds a lovely color and the necessary sweetness to the recipe.
• Salt. To taste.
• Cornstarch. To thicken the sauce.

How to make sweet and sour meatballs

You don’t have to wait hours to enjoy this mouthwatering recipe. Making my favorite version takes a little over half an hour and six simple steps. Here’s an overview!

1. Make the meatball mix: Combine the sweet and sour meatball ingredients in a large mixing bowl. 
2. Shape the meatballs: Make roughly 1-1/2 inch wide meatballs using your hands.
3. Cook the meatballs: Cook the meatballs with oil over medium heat until evenly browned on all sides. Then, remove them from the pan.
4. Make the sweet and sour sauce: Clean your skillet, heat oil, and sauté garlic until fragrant over medium heat. Add the water, vinegar, sweet chili sauce, sugar, and salt, and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Thicken the sauce: Add cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water) to the skillet, stir well, and simmer until it thickens.
6. Coat the meatballs: Add the cooked beef meatballs back into the skillet and stir until all are coated with the sweet and sour sauce. 

Can I use a crockpot?

You can totally make this dish in the crockpot. Crockpot sweet and sour meatballs are more hands-off, but the meatballs still turn out extra juicy and tender. Also, it requires even less clean up!

To slow cook, combine meatballs with a sauce in the crockpot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.

Tips to make the best recipe

• Use a stand mixer: To mix the ingredients efficiently, combine the meatball mixture in a stand mixer on a paddle attachment. 
• Chill the mixture: While it is not essential, chilling the mixture helps it bind better and easier to handle. 
• Make the sauce ahead of time: Make the sauce up to a week in advance to save time. When ready to eat, prep your meatballs and toss them with the premade sauce. Or use store-bought sweet and sour sauce to save time.
• Adjust the sweetness: Reduce the sugar quantity if you like your sauce a little less sweet. Substitute brown sugar with honey, agave, or maple syrup instead for a deeper flavor. 

Storage instructions

Leftover meatballs soak up all the sauces and taste better the next day. Here’s how you can store them:

To store. Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.  

To freeze. Freeze the leftover meatballs in freezer-safe containers for 4-5 months.

To reheat. Allow the frozen sweet and sour balls to thaw in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave before serving, and serve hot.

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Frequently asked questions