Easy Sweet And Sour Meatballs
Sweet and tangy meatballs glazed with apple jelly and chili sauce, perfect as an appetizer or crowd-pleasing main dish for family gatherings and parties.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine hamburger meat, bread crumbs, diced onion, egg, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Mix well and shape into meatballs.
- Place meatballs on a cookie sheet and bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
- In a crock-pot, combine apple jelly and chili sauce.
- Add cooked meatballs to the crock-pot.
- Cook on a simmer for about 1 hour, until heated through and coated in sauce.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider mixing in a teaspoon of garlic powder or parsley into the meatball mixture. If you want a bit of heat, try adding some crushed red pepper to the sauce. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. If you're out of chili sauce, ketchup mixed with hot sauce can work in a pinch.
Serving Suggestions
These sweet and sour meatballs are perfect served over rice or alongside mashed potatoes. For a complete meal, pair with Summertime Green Beans(Serve Room Temperature Or Cold.) and a fresh salad. They also make a great appetizer for gatherings, served with toothpicks for easy eating.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place them in a microwave-safe dish with a bit of sauce and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a saucepan over low heat until hot.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Easy Sweet And Sour Meatballs contains roughly 850 calories, with 20g protein, 162g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (40% of the Daily Value), iron (37% of the Daily Value), and calcium (33% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1884mg per serving (82% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs in advance and freeze them before baking. Just thaw and bake when you're ready to serve. This makes them a convenient option for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
What can I use instead of apple jelly?
If you don't have apple jelly, you can substitute it with grape jelly or any fruit preserves you have on hand. The key is to maintain that sweet and tangy flavor that complements the chili sauce.
How do I know when the meatballs are cooked through?
To ensure the meatballs are fully cooked, check that they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. You can use a meat thermometer for accuracy or cut one open to make sure there is no pink meat remaining.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).