Picture this: a cozy evening, the aroma of something sweet yet tangy wafting through the kitchen. These easy sweet and sour meatballs might just be the culinary equivalent of a warm hug on a chilly day. A dish that brings back memories—perhaps not of grandma’s kitchen, unless she had a penchant for fusion cuisines—but of those delightful moments when comfort meets unexpected flavor twists.
Steps
- Preheat your broiler and prepare a sheet pan by lining it with foil and spraying it with cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, finely diced onion, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs approximately 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared sheet pan. Broil the meatballs for 8-10 minutes until they are golden brown.
- While the meatballs are in the oven, melt the grape jelly either in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the chili sauce to create the sweet and sour sauce.
- Coat a slow cooker with cooking spray and add the broiled meatballs. Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Set the slow cooker to low and cook the meatballs for 3 hours. Before serving, sprinkle them with chopped parsley for a fresh garnish.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 12-ounce bottle of chili sauce
- 1 1/2 cups grape jelly
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- Cooking spray
Nutritional Values
Calories: 2930kcal | Carbohydrates: 456g | Protein: 208g | Fat: 96g | Saturated Fat: 40g | Cholesterol: 912mg | Sodium: 4960mg | Potassium: 4888mg | Fiber: 24g | Sugar: 288g | Vitamin A: 3480IU | Vitamin C: 112.8mg | Calcium: 440mg | Iron: 30.4mg
FAQ
- How do you prepare the sweet and sour sauce for meatballs?
- The sauce for these meatballs is a simple mix of grape jelly and chili sauce. Melt the jelly and whisk in the chili sauce before pouring it over the meatballs. If you prefer an Asian twist, you can use an Asian-style sweet and sour sauce instead.
- What is chili sauce, and can it be substituted?
- Chili sauce is a thick, red condiment similar to ketchup but with a bit of spice. It adds a mild heat to the meatballs, balanced by the sweetness of the jelly. If you want a milder flavor, you can substitute it with ketchup.
- Can sweet and sour meatballs be frozen?
- Yes, these meatballs can be frozen with or without the sauce. When reheating, you can use a slow cooker or stove. If the sauce seems too thin after thawing, thicken it by simmering with a mixture of cornstarch and water.
- What are some variations to the original recipe?
- You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for the meatballs. For the sauce, try swapping grape jelly with apricot jam or cranberry sauce. You can also add brown sugar for extra sweetness. As for toppings, sliced chives or green onions make great alternatives to parsley.
Tips
- Finely mince or grate the onion to ensure a smooth texture and avoid large chunks in the meatballs.
- Opt for 90% lean ground beef to achieve a balance between flavor and grease in your meatballs.
- If short on time, consider using frozen pre-cooked meatballs, but homemade ones tend to yield the best results.
- Prepare the meatballs up to two days in advance or make a double batch to freeze for future use, simplifying meal prep.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker (Crock Pot) – Essential for cooking the meatballs in the sauce over a few hours.
- Baking Sheet Pan – Used for placing the meatballs under the broiler.
- Broiler (if not part of the oven) – Needed to brown the meatballs before transferring them to the slow cooker.
