Tangy Sweet & Sour Meatballs
This Tangy Sweet & Sour Meatballs is near and dear to my heart. It’s my Auntie Evelyn’s recipe. Sadly, she passed away suddenly at age 57 over the Thanksgiving weekend. It was a complete shock to everyone. She wasn’t sick. She left behind a husband, three children and two granddaughters. I still can’t believe that she is gone.
My aunt gave me this recipe a few years back when I was making a family cookbook for my daughter, Olivia. I had reached out to my extended family to ask them for their favourite recipes. I made my Auntie Evelyn’s meatballs before, but had never photographed them for my blog. I wish she was here to see this post and the photos. I think she would like to see her recipe here shared with all of you.
Tangy Sweet & Sour Meatballs
This meatball recipe is easy to make and is packed full of flavour. The sauce is only two ingredients: ketchup and Ginger Ale. I know it sounds like a weird combination, but trust me, they work well together.
I like that it’s not a fussy meatball recipe where you have to brown the meatballs in a pan. I always find it hard to get all the sides evenly browned. Instead, you simmer the meatballs on the stove in their sauce and let it do all the work for you. I stirred them every so often to ensure they cooked evenly.
My aunt wanted to let people know that these meatballs freeze well. Our batch was eaten in one sitting, but you could easily double or triple the recipe and freeze a bunch for later. I would do this if only I had a freezer. It’s on my list of things I want to eventually buy.
Making this recipe was bittersweet. I felt my aunt around me while I was in the kitchen cooking. She loved to cook and always used to like my food photos when I shared them on my Facebook profile.
I’d love to know your thoughts if you try the recipe. I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as we have.
You might also like homemade ketchup, Air Fryer Bisquick Sausage Balls, Korean Meatballs, Grape Jelly Meatballs, Swedish Meatballs, Ginger Meatballs, Chili Cranberry Fusion Meatballs or Waikiki Meatballs.
Tangy Sweet & Sour Meatballs
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe to your inbox.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1 cup Ginger Ale
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, salt, garlic, egg and flour. Shape into balls.
- Bring ketchup and Ginger Ale to a boil. Add meatballs and simmer, covered, for 2 hours. Serve hot.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Did you make this recipe?
I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.
Want Even More Recipes?
Join Moms Best Recipes to find more delicious family recipes.
free ebook!
The Best of Simply Stacie
When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!
I’m so sorry to hear about your Aunt. I’m sure she would be thrilled you are sharing her recipe with us. I know I am. Faster version frozen meatbals & the sauce. As an appetizer served in an electric wok these were GONE. I mean I blinked & they were gone. Thank you.
So do you put the meatballs in the sauce uncooked or do you cook them first?
They will cook in the sauce so put them in uncooked.
I had these at a bridal shower today and they were so good. When I asked what was in them I was told ginger ale and ketchup which I would have never guessed. Definitely going to make these. I do the low carb diet so plan on trying with sugar free ketchup and diet ginger ale!
OMG, this looks sooo TASTY! I am definitely making this today 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear about your aunt. What a lovely way to keep her memory alive. This recipe looks delicious 🙂
These would make a great appetizer as well.
Thank you for sharing this simple but I’m sure delicious recipe.
Carolyn
Your Meatballs look amazing! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday. Come to next weeks Thanksgiving party on Tuesday at 8:00 am, CST, see you then!
Miz Helen
Pinned!! Sounds amazing!! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
I love a simple meatball recipe. This sounds so easy! I’m excited to try it!
This would be a great recipe to take to a potluck.
Such an easy simple recipe, love it. I’d never have thought of using ketchup and ginger ale together for the sauce.
These meatballs look absolutely fantastical, ahttp://www.bunsinmyoven.comnd I love the sweet story behind them- another reason why food is so much more than food.
I love how simple this recipe and how sweet to have something to remind you of your aunt. I love that food can do that – it always makes me feel closer to those I’ve lost or that are far away.