Homemade sweet and sour meatballs in a quick and delicious sauce. Super easy to make and picky eater friendly! Serve them up with a toothpick as a party appetizer, or as the main dish for an easy weeknight dinner.

sweet and sour meatballs served with broccoli and white rice

Homemade Sweet and Sour Meatballs

I know what you’re thinking. "Grape jelly on meatballs?!” I know, it’s kinda weird. But turns out, its also delicious! If you’re a fan of fruit flavors in your meat dishes, than this one is sure to be a favorite.

sweet and sour meatballs in a black crock pot

Why you’ll love this recipe:

easy sauce - two ingredients
affordable
great as leftovers
comes together quick
kid friendly

ingredients for sweet and sour meatballs on a wood counter top

Ingridients for Sweet and Sour Meatballs

ground beef - 80/20 or your preference, ground turkey or chicken would work too!
seasoned breadcrumbs - you can use plain
yellow onion - finely diced, you can leave this out if you don’t like onion
eggs - help bind the mixture
ketchup - use your favorite brand of Ketchup
concord grape jelly - apricot or peach preserves can work too
salt & pepper - to taste

How to make Sweet and Sour Meatballs

In a large mixing bowl add the ground beef, breadcrumbs, minced onion, and eggs. Mix togther with hands.

meatball mixture in glass bowl ready to be scooped

Shape into meatballs and place on a lined baking sheet.

raw meatballs on parchment paper lined cookie sheet

Bake meatballs in a 375 degree oven until browned, 20-25 minutes. The meatballs do not have to be fully cooked, they will finsih cooking in the sauce.

cooked meatballs on parchment paper lined cookie sheet

Add grape jelly, ketchup, and salt to a small sauce pan, heat and stir until the jelly has melted.

ketchup and grape jelly in small sauce pan

Place meatballs in crockpot and add the sauce on top.

Put the lid on the crockpot and turn on high for 1 hour or low for 2 hours.

Enjoy!

sweet and sour meatballs on a white plate with broccoli and white rice

What to Serve with Sweet and Sour Meatballs

white rice & steamed broccoli
veggie fried rice
mashed potatoes & steamed carrots

Storing Leftovers

Place meatballs in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To freeze, place meatballs and sauce in a container or large ziplock and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Tips for Making the Best Sweet and Sour Meatballs

homemade meatballs taste better (IMO) but frozen meatballs work great in a pinch!
let the meatballs and sauce simmer in the crockpot for at least an hour so they can absorb the flavors from the sauce
add a splash of water if the sauce reduces too far

saucy meatballs served with white rice and broccoli

Homemade Sweet and Sour Meatballs - with grape jelly

Alexis

Homemade beef meatballs in a sweet and tangy sauce. Easy enough for weeknight dinners and tasty enough for a party appetizer.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1 30

Total Time 1 45

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Equipment

Crockpot

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
⅓ cup diced onion
½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
2 eggs
¾ cup concord grape jelly
1 ½ cup ketchup
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. To a large mixing bowl add your beef, diced onion, breadcrumbs, pepper, and eggs. Gently mix everything together using your hands.
Form meatballs and place on a lined baking sheet. Place them in the middle rack of our oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until browned.
To a small sauce pan add your jelly, ketchup, and salt. Cook on medium low heat and stir until jelly has melted.
Place all meatballs in a crockpot and pour your sauce on top. Place the lid on and cook on high for 1 hour or low for 2 hours.
Enjoy!

Notes

Let the meatballs and sauce simmer in the crockpot for at least an hour for the best flavor.
Frozen meatballs work great if you're in a pinch!
For an appetizer form smaller meatballs, about the size of a golf ball.