Sweet Savory Meatballs

Get ready to savor the perfect balance of flavors with these irresistible Sweet Savory Meatballs. Crafted from a juicy blend of ground beef and pork, these tender meatballs are baked to perfection and then smothered in a luscious homemade sauce that harmoniously combines sweet honey, tangy apple cider vinegar, and umami-rich soy sauce. A touch of garlic and a cornstarch slurry add depth and velvety texture to the sauce, making every bite burst with flavor. With a quick prep time of just 20 minutes and versatile serving options—whether as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or atop a bed of steamed rice—this dish delivers restaurant-quality comfort right in your kitchen. Perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests, these Sweet Savory Meatballs are a must-try recipe for fans of bold, balanced flavors!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 lb ground pork
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 0.25 cup soy sauce
• 0.25 cup honey
• 0.25 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until evenly combined, but do not overmix.

Step 3

Using your hands, shape the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned.

Step 5

While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 6

Add soy sauce, honey, ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar to the saucepan. Stir well to combine and bring to a simmer.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the simmering sauce, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens (about 2-3 minutes).

Step 8

Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the saucepan with the thickened sauce. Toss gently to coat the meatballs evenly in the sauce.

Step 9

Serve warm as an appetizer or over steamed rice as a main dish. Garnish with fresh parsley or sesame seeds if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1094.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2461.0

Total Fat 164.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 56.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.8g
Cholesterol 730.2mg	0%
Sodium 4321.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 101.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 1.5g	0%
Total Sugars 80.5g
Protein 150.5g	0%

Vitamin D 80.6IU	0%
Calcium 271.1mg	0%
Iron 12.0mg	0%
Potassium 1621.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 59.5%

Protein: 24.2%

Carbs: 16.3%