Sweet and Spicy Meatballs

Here’s a recipe for Sweet and Spicy Meatballs that’s both flavorful and easy to make. Perfect for an appetizer or a main dish!

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or pork (or a mix of both)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

For the Sweet and Spicy Sauce:

• 1/2 cup chili sauce
• 1/4 cup grape jelly (or any fruit jelly like apricot or apple)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meatballs:
   • In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Let it sit for a minute to allow the breadcrumbs to soak up the milk.
   • Add the ground meat, egg, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped onion, salt, black pepper, paprika, red pepper flakes, and parsley to the breadcrumb mixture.
   • Mix everything together until well combined, but don’t overwork the meat mixture.
   • Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
2. Cook the Meatballs:
   • You can either bake or fry the meatballs:
     • To Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through.
     • To Fry: Heat a couple of tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Prepare the Sauce:
   • In a large skillet or saucepan, combine all the sauce ingredients: chili sauce, grape jelly, honey, soy sauce, sriracha, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.
   • Heat the sauce over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the jelly is melted and the sauce is smooth and bubbling.
4. Combine and Serve:
   • Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce, gently tossing to coat them evenly.
   • Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for a few minutes to soak up the flavors.
   • Serve the sweet and spicy meatballs hot, garnished with additional parsley or green onions if desired.

Tips:

• Serving Suggestions: These meatballs are great as an appetizer with toothpicks or served over rice or noodles as a main dish.
• Adjusting Spice Level: Feel free to adjust the amount of sriracha and red pepper flakes based on your heat preference.
• Make Ahead: You can prepare the meatballs and sauce ahead of time. Just reheat them together before serving.

Enjoy your delicious Sweet and Spicy Meatballs!