Easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These juicy meatballs are bathed in the most amazing sweet, savory, sticky, slightly fiery sauce. One that shimmers like a sea of deliciousness. You'll lick up every drop.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Asian

Keyword making meatballs, meatballs, roasting, sweet and sour sauce

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 259kcal

Author Robin Miller

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

1 pound lean ground beef
1 large egg
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs or plain breadcrumbs, regular or gluten-free
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce

1 1/2 cups beef broth
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar light or dark
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
Cooked rice or Asian noodles for serving
Chopped green onions for serving optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
To make the meatballs, in a large bowl, combine the beef, egg, breadcrumbs, cilantro, onion powder, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well and shape the mixture into 16 meatballs. Transfer the meatballs to the prepared pan and roast for 18 to 20 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
Meanwhile, to make the sauce, in a large saucepan, whisk together the broth, ketchup, chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved before you put the pan over heat (or it will clump). Set the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the meatballs to the sauce and toss to coat. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to heat through. Spoon the meatballs and sauce over rice or noodles and top with green onions, if using.

Nutrition