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Baked Sweet and Sour Meatballs
5 from 96 votes

Baked Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These meatballs blend ground beef with simple seasonings and are baked until lightly browned, then coated in a tangy glaze made from ketchup, rice vinegar, honey, and soy sauce. The glaze thickens slightly and clings to the cooked meatballs, resulting in a balance of savory, sweet, and sour flavors. The meatballs remain tender by handling the meat gently during mixing. This dish works well as an appetizer or alongside rice or noodles.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 293 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil for pan
Meatballs:
  • 1 pound ground beef 85/15, lean
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Glaze:
  • ½ cup ketchup unsweetened
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey or a sugar-free substitute
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or a gluten-free alternative, light
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch Optional, to thicken the sauce

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush a rimmed baking dish (such as a 9 X 13 dish) with oil.
  2. Mix the meatball ingredients (ground beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder) in a large bowl. Form 20 meatballs and place them in the prepared baking dish. Bake them for 10 minutes.
  3. While the meatballs are baking, whisk the glaze ingredients (ketchup, vinegar, honey, soy sauce, and cornstarch if using) in a medium saucepan. Heat the glaze over medium-low heat.
  4. Add the meatballs to the saucepan and turn to coat them in the sauce. Keep cooking, turning frequently, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened, for about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Mix and shape meatballs lightly to avoid dense texture.
  • Nutrition info assumes the use of real honey; sugar-free substitutes alter calories and sugars.
  • Leftover meatballs keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat at 50% microwave power covered.
  • These meatballs can be frozen up to three months for convenient storage.

Nutrition Information

Serving 5meatballs Calories 293kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 12g (4%) Protein 21g (42%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Sodium 643mg (27%) Sugar 8g (16%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 293

% Daily Value*

Serving 5meatballs
Calories 293kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 12g 4%
Protein 21g 42%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Sodium 643mg 27%
Sugar 8g 16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.