Cocktail Meatballs with Sweet & Sour Dipping Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Cocktail meatballs with sweet and sour dipping sauce are a delightful party snack that’s both tangy and savory. These bite-sized treats are easy to make and perfect for entertaining or a fun appetizer.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ onion
• 250 g / ½ lb beef mince (ground beef)
• 250 g / ½ lb pork mince (ground pork)
• 1 egg
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1½ tsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 3/4 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
• ¼ cup / 65 ml water
• ½ cup / 125 ml apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup / 100 g brown sugar (adjust to taste)
• ¼ cup / 65 ml tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• Finely chopped chives

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 220°C / 430°F (standard) or 200°C / 390°F (fan/convection).
2. Step 2: Grate the onion into a large bowl using a standard box grater. Add the panko breadcrumbs and mix to coat. Let this mixture soak for a few minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the beef mince, pork mince, egg, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix thoroughly with your hands until well combined.
4. Step 4: Scoop level tablespoons of the mixture onto your work surface and quickly roll into balls.
5. Step 5: Place a baking rack on a tray (optional) and spray it generously with oil. Arrange the meatballs on the rack.
6. Step 6: Bake for 25 minutes or until browned. Once done, immediately transfer the meatballs to a large bowl to avoid sticking on the tray.
7. Step 7: Drizzle enough sweet and sour sauce (prepared separately) over the meatballs to coat them gently. Toss to combine and transfer to a serving bowl or plate. Garnish with chopped chives if desired.
8. Step 8: Serve the meatballs with toothpicks and the remaining sweet and sour sauce on the side for dipping.
9. Step 9: For the sweet and sour sauce, combine water, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, tomato ketchup, soy sauce, and cornflour in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk everything together.
10. Step 10: Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring or whisking regularly, and cook until it thickens to a syrupy consistency, about 3 minutes.
11. Step 11: Pour some of the sauce over the cooked meatballs to coat before serving. Use the remaining sauce for dipping and garnish with more chopped chives if you like.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding finely chopped herbs like parsley or cilantro to the meat mixture.
• Use a combination of pork and beef mince for a juicy texture, but turkey or chicken mince can be substituted for a leaner option.
• If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers work as well.
• Adjust the brown sugar in the sauce to balance sweetness and acidity according to your taste.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or sauce to keep them moist.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs a day in advance and store them uncooked in the refrigerator. You can also bake them ahead and reheat before serving.

Is there a gluten-free option for this recipe?

Yes, substitute the panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs and use a gluten-free soy sauce to make the recipe gluten-free.

Cocktail Meatballs with Sweet & Sour Dipping Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 116 reviews

• Author: Ethan
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 20–24 meatballs 1x

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Description

These Cocktail Meatballs with Sweet & Sour Dipping Sauce are a delicious appetizer perfect for parties or snacks. Made with a mix of ground beef and pork, seasoned with garlic, onion, and Worcestershire sauce, then baked to golden perfection. The meatballs are tossed in a tangy, sweet and sour sauce made from apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce, creating a perfect balance of flavors. Garnished with fresh chives for a fresh finish, this easy-to-make recipe is sure to impress.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ onion
• 250 g / ½ lb beef mince (ground beef)
• 250 g / ½ lb pork mince (ground pork)
• 1 egg
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp cornflour/cornstarch

Sweet & Sour Sauce

• ¼ cup / 65 ml water
• ½ cup / 125 ml apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup / 100 g brown sugar (adjust to taste)
• ¼ cup / 65 ml tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp soy sauce

Garnish

• Finely chopped chives

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 220°C (430°F) for standard ovens or 200°C (390°F) if using a fan/convection oven to ensure it’s ready for baking the meatballs.
2. Prepare Onion and Breadcrumbs: Grate the onion into a large bowl using a standard box grater. Add the panko breadcrumbs and mix well to coat the breadcrumbs with the onion’s moisture. Let the mixture soak for a few minutes to absorb flavors.
3. Combine Meatball Ingredients: To the bowl with the soaked breadcrumbs and onion, add beef mince, pork mince, egg, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and cornflour. Mix everything thoroughly using your hands until all the ingredients are well combined.
4. Shape Meatballs: Use level tablespoons to portion out the mixture onto your work surface. Quickly roll each portion into smooth balls using your hands for even cooking and a nice shape.
5. Prepare Baking Tray: Place a rack on a baking tray (optional but recommended to allow even cooking). Spray the rack generously with oil to prevent sticking, then place the meatballs on the rack spaced evenly.
6. Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until they are nicely browned and cooked through. Once done, remove the tray from the oven and transfer the meatballs immediately to a large bowl to prevent sticking.
7. Make Sweet & Sour Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, tomato ketchup, and soy sauce. Whisk the ingredients to combine, then bring to a simmer. Continue stirring and whisking regularly and let it simmer for about 3 minutes until the sauce thickens to a syrupy consistency or thicker if preferred.
8. Toss Meatballs with Sauce: Pour enough sauce over the warm meatballs in the bowl to coat them evenly. Gently toss the meatballs to ensure every piece is glazed with the sweet and sour sauce.
9. Garnish and Serve: Transfer the coated meatballs to a serving bowl or plate. Garnish with finely chopped chives. Serve immediately with toothpicks and the remaining dipping sauce on the side for extra flavor.

Notes

• Using a rack on the baking tray helps cook the meatballs evenly and prevents sogginess.
• You can adjust the sweetness of the sauce by increasing or decreasing the amount of brown sugar according to your taste.
• Ground beef and pork combination adds great flavor and moisture to the meatballs but you can substitute with just one type of minced meat if preferred.
• Make sure to coat the rack or baking surface well with oil to avoid the meatballs sticking during baking.
• Serving these meatballs with toothpicks makes them perfect for parties and easy to eat as finger food.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: cocktail meatballs, sweet and sour sauce, party appetizers, baked meatballs, easy meatball recipe