Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lbground beef
ground turkey, or meat loaf mix
- ⅓ cplain bread crumbs
- 3 tbspmilk
- 2 tbspfinely chopped onion
- 1egg)
(large
- ½ tspkosher salt
- to tastefreshly ground pepper
- 1 ½ corange juice
- ½ cdark brown sugar)
(firmly packed
- ¼ capple cider vinegar
- ¼ cketchup
- 3 tbspsoy sauce
- ¼ tspcrushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tbspcornstarch
- 2 tbspwater
- 1scallion
thinly sliced
- 1 tbspsesame seeds
Directions
To make the meatballs
- 1
Place the ground meat, bread crumbs, milk, onion, egg, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and stir together until combined.
- 2
Mist the crock pot insert with non-stick spray, roll 1-tablespoon sized balls of the mixture between your palms, and place in a single layer at the bottom of the slow-cooker.
- 3
Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the meatballs, and cook (covered) for 1 to 2 hours on high heat, or for 3 to 4 hours on low heat.
To make the sweet & sour sauce
- 1
In a smaller bowl, whisk the brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, crushed red pepper, and orange juice together, and pour it over the meatballs.
- 2
About 30 minutes before serving, whisk the cornstarch and water together and stir into the sauce.
- 3
Cover and continue to cook until the sauce has thickened.
- 4
Garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
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About this Recipe
Craving those irresistible sweet and sour meatballs that disappear from the appetizer tray in minutes? These tender, saucy bites bring that classic flavor right to your kitchen, perfect for sharing at any gathering.
What makes these sweet and sour meatballs truly special is their incredible versatility and balanced flavor. Whether you choose the ease of a sweet and sour meatballs slow cooker method or the quick stovetop approach, you'll achieve tender meatballs enveloped in a rich, tangy sauce that hits all the right notes.
Get ready for a delightful interplay of sweet, sour, and savory in every bite. The meatballs themselves are designed to be wonderfully tender, crafted with a simple mixture of ground meat, bread crumbs, milk, and seasoning. This provides a perfect canvas for the vibrant sauce. This sauce, a harmonious blend of bright orange juice, rich dark brown sugar, zesty apple cider vinegar, and savory soy sauce, offers a captivating tanginess with a subtle warmth from red pepper flakes. You'll find these juicy bites incredibly satisfying, and with just 45 calories per serving, they make a smart choice for any gathering.
This recipe is incredibly adaptable to your preferences, making it easy to create your perfect sweet and sour meatballs. Feel free to use ground beef, lean ground turkey, or a versatile meat loaf mix for the meatballs, depending on your taste and what you have on hand. You can also easily adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to increase or decrease the subtle warmth in the sauce. For a slightly different twist, consider adding a dash more soy sauce for extra umami. The beauty of preparing these sweet & sour meatballs crockpot style is how forgiving and flexible the recipe is, allowing for simple swaps.
These delightful meatballs are a perfect appetizer for parties, game days, or casual get-togethers. Serve them hot with a sprinkling of fresh scallions and toasted sesame seeds for an extra pop of flavor and visual appeal. They also pair wonderfully as part of a larger spread.