{"id":26532,"date":"2026-02-18T09:34:33","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T14:34:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omnivorescookbook.com\/?p=26532"},"modified":"2026-02-18T09:34:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T14:34:35","slug":"sweet-and-sour-meatballs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omnivorescookbook.com\/sweet-and-sour-meatballs\/","title":{"rendered":"Sweet and Sour Meatballs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

These sweet and sour meatballs are one of my favorite weeknight recipes. I make them with ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, and hidden vegetables, then toss everything in a sticky, tangy sauce that is ready in less than 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Meatballs<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sweet and sour meatballs are a Chinese American takeout classic that pairs tender, pan browned meatballs with a glossy sauce built on ketchup, rice vinegar, and brown sugar. My version uses ground chicken instead of pork, keeps the sugar lower than most restaurant versions, and sneaks minced carrots and onion right into the meatball mixture so even picky eaters get their vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I created this recipe because I like to make them when I host my friends who has young kids and this one is always a hit. Hiding minced carrot and onion directly in the meat mixture makes the meal balanced and any picky eaters would eat them, and the sweet and sour sauce is so good with rice to scoop up every last drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the time I make a double batch because the leftovers reheat so well for lunch the next day. If you are looking for a weeknight meal that is quick (only 30 minutes<\/em>), satisfying, and sneaks in extra nutrition, I hope you give these sweet and sour meatballs a try at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Meatballs<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I organize the ingredients into 3 groups: the meatball mixture, the vegetables for the pan, and the sweet and sour sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sweet<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For the meatballs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I use ground chicken as the base, mixed with Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, white pepper, and a touch of brown sugar for seasoning. Minced onion, carrot, and garlic go straight into the mixture along with an egg and panko breadcrumbs, which keep everything soft and tender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pan vegetables<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chopped yellow onion and bell pepper add color and crunch to the finished dish. I like using a mix of red and yellow peppers, but either one works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sauce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n