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5.0 from 96 votes

Baked Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These sweet and sour meatballs are exquisite and easy to make. Deliciously glazed, they are irresistible!

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 lean ground beef 85/15
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Glaze:
  • ½ cup unsweetened ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey or a sugar-free substitute
  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce or a gluten-free alternative
  • 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

  • When mixing the seasonings into the ground beef and shaping the meatballs, try to use a light touch and work the meat lightly. This will help prevent the meatballs from being too dense.
  • The nutrition info assumes that real honey was used. Nutrition info if using a sugar-free sweetener: Calories 261, Total Fat 17g, Saturated Fat 7g, Sodium 643mg, Carbohydrate 4g, Fiber 0g, Sugars 0g, Protein 21g. 
  • You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat them covered in the microwave at 50% power. You can also freeze these metaballs for up to three months.

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: 4servings

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.