0 from 3 votes
Sweet and Sour Meatballs (糖醋丸子)
Chinese sweet and sour meatballs stand out for their succulent texture and rich flavor. Discover a quick and easy way to make them from scratch!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 400 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Chinese
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 1 lb ground pork or beef, chicken, turkey, see note 1
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoon panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder optional
For the sauce
- 3 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- 2 tablespoon black rice vinegar or white rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
- 2 tablespoon water
Optional garnishing
- toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
Shape the meatballs
- Put ground meat into a mixing bowl. Add egg, breadcrumbs, cornstarch, light soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, white pepper, and garlic powder (optional). Mix until well combined.
- Divide the mixture into 20-22 equal portions (about 1 heaping tablespoon each). Use your hands to shape each portion into a ball.
Cup of Yum
Bake the meatballs
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC) or 320ºF (160ºC) for a fan-assisted oven.
- Arrange the meatballs on a baking dish (line it with parchment paper if it isn't non-stick). Place the dish over the middle rack of the oven. Leave to bake for about 12 minutes (see note 2).
Cook the sauce
- In a bowl, combine tomato ketchup, black rice vinegar, sugar, light soy sauce, cornstarch, white pepper, and water. Stir until smooth and lump-free.
- Pour the mixture into a skillet. Cook over low heat while stirring with a spatula constantly. Once the sauce is nearly at the desired consistency, add the baked meatballs.
- Turn off the heat and gently stir the meatballs until they are evenly coated in the sauce. Optionally, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over before serving.
Notes
- For a tender texture and richer taste, choose ground meat that has a high content of fat.
- For a tender texture and richer taste, choose ground meat that has a high content of fat.
- The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your oven’s performance. If unsure, check one meatball with a kitchen thermometer. The reading should be above 160ºF (71ºC).
- The cooking time may vary slightly depending on your oven’s performance. If unsure, check one meatball with a kitchen thermometer. The reading should be above 160ºF (71ºC).
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
400kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
17g
(6%)
Protein
23g
(46%)
Fat
26g
(40%)
Saturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
21g
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
Trans Fat
0.01g
Cholesterol
123mg
(41%)
Sodium
1043mg
(43%)
Potassium
404mg
(12%)
Fiber
0.4g
(2%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
125IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
36mg
(4%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 400
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 400kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 21g | 124% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 123mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 1043mg | 43% |
| Potassium | 404mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 0.4g | 2% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 125IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 36mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.