I’m pretty sure I’ve had this Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe lying around since the 70’s. It’s still good…even after all these years.
This recipe for sweet and sour meatballs has been around forever. It’s not anything I created. But my Mom had the recipe in her collection when I was a kid. So naturally, I copied all of her recipes to my collection too. I like to add these to a menu when I have cocktail parties. Everyone loves them.
How to make Sweet and Sour Meatballs:
Mix the tomato sauce and cranberry sauce with sugar, and simmer over low heat. The meatballs are a simple mix of beef, onion, egg and salt. Form the beef mixture into 1-inch balls, and drop them into the sauce to simmer and cook for about 30 minutes.
Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish or crock that will keep them hot. Provide toothpicks or a spoon for serving.
This recipe makes 15 meatballs, but it can easily be doubled or tripled if you wish to make a larger batch. I recommend that you do this. They go quickly at a party because they’re so good. Everyone loves having a protein option for eating at a party. Enjoy!
Here are a few more appetizer recipes you might like to try:
- Easy Pigs in a Blanket
- Baked Jalapeño Poppers
- Baked Shrimp Toast
- Cauliflower Tots
- Cranberry Feta Pinwheels
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Ingredients
SAUCE:
- One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- One 8-ounce can jellied cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon granulated white sugar
MEATBALLS:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, grated
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, dissolve the 2 sauces over low heat. Add the sugar and mix well. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- In medium bowl, mix the beef, onion, egg and salt.
- Roll the beef mixture into small, round 1-inch balls. Drop the balls into the slowly simmering sauce. Continue to simmer for about ½ hour.
- Transfer the meatballs and sauce to a small chafing dish or crockpot for serving. Provide toothpicks or a spoon for serving.
Notes
- If you are preparing this appetizer as a gluten free recipe, be sure to purchase a brand of cranberry sauce that is GF (Oceanspray is recommended).
- Note that this recipe only makes about 15 meatballs, so if you're planning on serving them at a party... you may wish to double the recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
