Sweet and Spicy Meatballs
This 3-ingredient sauce is equal parts sweet, savory, and fiery, and it’s the perfect glaze for these tender/juicy, oven-roasted meatballs.
This sweet and sour glaze is no joke! I took a little sample while it was simmering and dayem! It’s on fire. If you like your sauces less spicy, it’s easy to adjust the ingredients; use 2 tablespoons of the chili garlic sauce and increase the amount of grape jam to 3/4 cup. We like things spicy in my house, so I used equal parts chili garlic sauce and grape jam.
You won’t believe the amount of flavor you get from just 3 ingredients in the sauce. And while it may seem like an unusual pairing (chili garlic sauce and grape jam), it’s actually not. In fact, I’m not the first one to think of it! The zesty chili garlic sauce partners perfectly with the sweetness of the jam – they balance each other out – and the soy sauce adds another layer of salty/earthy awesomeness.
There’s flavor in the meatballs too! I added cilantro and onion; flavors that work incredibly well with the flavors in the sauce. And the meatballs are super juicy thanks to the addition of panko breadcrumbs and egg. If you want gluten-free meatballs, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
How should you serve your spicy sweet and sour meatballs? I served the meatballs and sauce over sweet jasmine rice and it was a perfect marriage. The sweetness of the rice offset the heat from the sauce. You can use any rice you prefer, or Asian noodles, or lettuce leaves for a carb-free meal.
Sweet and Spicy Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, or gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil, or vegetable oil
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers or mini bell peppers, any color
- 1/2 cup chili garlic sauce, for a milder sauce, use just 2 tablespoons and use 3/4 cup grape jam
- 1/2 cup grape jam or jelly
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- Cooked rice for serving, I used jasmine
- Chopped green onions for serving
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- In a large bowl, combine the beef, breadcrumbs, egg, cilantro, onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well and shape the mixture into 12 to 16 meatballs.
- Transfer the meatballs to the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until soft. Add the chili garlic sauce, grape jam, and soy sauce and bring to a simmer. Partially cover and simmer for 5 minutes (or until the meatballs finish cooking).
- Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to heat through.
- Serve the meatballs, peppers, and sauce over the rice and top with green onions.