sweet and sour meatballs simmering in a skillet, hamburger recipe
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Sweet and Sour Meatballs: Rediscovering a Family Classic

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Sometimes, the best recipes are the ones that have been passed down through generations, tucked away in old, worn-out cookbooks, and cherished by families for decades.

That’s exactly what I experienced recently when I stumbled upon a recipe for sweet and sour meatballs in a tattered family cookbook. At first glance, I thought I recognized it, but I wasn’t quite sure. So, I did what any curious home cook would do—I asked Mom.

As it turns out, this recipe has a rich history in our family. Mom immediately recognized this hamburger recipe from her childhood on the homestead farm where she grew up.

Back then, everyone in the family had to pitch in, and by the age of 12, she was already cooking full meals for the household. This sweet and sour meatball recipe was one of her go-to dishes, a comforting staple that she perfected over the years. And here’s the kicker: she still makes it to this day.

sweet and sour meatballs with pineapple chunks and peppers
sweet and sour meatballs piled high in a white serving dish
sweet and sour meatballs on skewers with pineapple and peppers, on a wood cutting board
sweet and sour meatballs served over rice and sprinkled with chopped chives

What’s even more impressive is that Mom hasn’t looked at the written recipe in years. She makes it from memory, often tweaking the ingredients slightly based on what she has on hand.

The result? A dish that’s never quite the same twice but always manages to be delicious. It’s the kind of recipe that’s flexible, forgiving, and perfect for adapting to whatever’s in your pantry.

A Taste of Nostalgia: Mom’s Sweet and Sour meatball Recipe

When I decided to make these meatballs, I was curious to see if they would live up to the version I remembered from my childhood. It was a simple process—just a few basic ingredients, mixed together with love and care, and formed into tender meatballs.

As the meatballs cooked, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia. The smell was just as I remembered, warm and inviting, with that unmistakable blend of sweetness and tang that makes this dish so special.

a tray full of raw meatballs, ready to be made into sweet and sour meatballs; a hamburger recipe

And when I finally took that first bite, it was like being transported back in time. The flavors were spot-on, just as delicious as they had been all those years ago.

The Magic of Adaptability

One of the things I love most about this recipe is its adaptability. Mom taught me that recipes don’t have to be rigid; they can evolve over time, just like our tastes and the ingredients we have on hand.

For example, she might use ground beef one day and ground pork the next. Sometimes she adds a splash more vinegar for extra tanginess, or a bit more sugar to balance out the sour notes.

Although there are no vegetable in the recipe below, Mom was known for tossing those in occasionally. The vegetables can vary too—she might throw in whatever’s in the fridge, from bell peppers to carrots or even some pineapple for a bit of extra sweetness.

This flexibility is part of what makes the recipe so enduring. It’s a reminder that cooking doesn’t have to be about following instructions to the letter. Instead, it’s about using what you have, trusting your instincts, and enjoying the process.

That’s a lesson I’ve carried with me, and it’s something I’m passing on to my own family now.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs: Rediscovering a Family Classic

Recipe by Jessie
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: Main DishesDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

50

minutes



A family favorite, these sweet and sour meatballs are a delightful blend of tender meatballs simmered in a tangy, flavorful sauce. This versatile recipe is easy to adapt with whatever ingredients you have on hand, making it perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb ground beef

  • 1/2 c bread crumbs

  • 1/2 c water or milk

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1/4 tsp pepper

  • 2 c brown sugar

  • 2 Tbsp flour or cornstarch

  • 1/2 c vinegar

  • 1/4 c water

  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 Tbsp ketchup

  • 1 chopped bell pepper (optional)

  • 1 cup pineapple chunks (optional)

  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped (optional)

Directions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Mix beef, bread crumbs, 1/2 c water or milk, salt, and pepper together and form into balls.
  • Brown meatballs in skillet, then transfer to a casserole dish.
  • If adding vegetables and pineapple, add to hamburger drippings and sauté for 1-2 minutes before adding sauce ingredients.
  • Mix brown sugar, flour or cornstarch, vinegar, 1/4 c water, soy sauce, and ketchup in the hot skillet and bring to a boil, stirring continuously (if you have a lot of fat dripping from the meatballs, you may choose to pour most of this out before making the sauce – or use a different pan entirely).
  • Pour the hot sauce over the meatballs in the casserole dish and cover. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until very hot and bubbly.
  • Serve over rice or noodles.

A Recipe Worth Sharing

Making these sweet and sour meatballs again reminded me of the power of family recipes. They’re not just about the food itself; they’re about the memories, the stories, and the connections we share with those we love. Every time I make this dish, I’m not just cooking—I’m preserving a piece of our family’s history.

If you’re looking for a recipe that’s both comforting and versatile, I highly recommend giving these sweet and sour meatballs a try. Whether you follow the recipe to the letter or put your own spin on it, I’m sure you’ll find it as delightful as I do.

And who knows? Maybe it will become a favorite in your family too, just as it has been in mine for generations.

Final Thoughts

Cooking this dish has been a journey of rediscovery, a way to reconnect with my roots and bring a little bit of the past into the present. It’s a reminder of how food can bridge the gap between generations, keeping our family traditions alive.

So, dust off that old cookbook, or better yet, start creating your own version of this timeless recipe. After all, the best dishes are the ones that are made with love, shared with family, and enjoyed for years to come.

Looking for more meatball recipes? Check these delicious dishes out!

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