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The Best Sweet and Sour Meatballs


"This recipe has been a closely guarded family secret for over 20 years, we make them every Christmas and they're always a hit. I've decided they're too good not to share."
Original recipe yield: 30 servings.
Prep Time:
30 Minutes
Cook Time:
1 Hour
Ready In:
1 Hour 30 Minutes
Servings:
30

INGREDIENTS:

  • 5 pounds bulk Italian sausage
  • 2 (8 ounce) cans water chestnuts, drained and chopped
  • 2 bunches green onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 1/2 cups fine dry bread crumbs
  •  
  • Sweet and Sour Sauce
  • 1 1/4 cups white sugar
  • 6 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 cups white vinegar
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • soy sauce to taste

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. Place the sausage in a large bowl and mix in the chestnuts, green onion, 1/2 cup of soy sauce, eggs, garlic powder, and breadcrumbs. Roll the mixture into 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls and place on a broiler pan. Bake in the oven for 1 hour. When done, place the meatballs in a slow cooker.
  3. While meatballs are cooking, prepare the sweet and sour sauce by stirring together the sugar and cornstarch in a large saucepan. Pour in vinegar, pineapple juice, ketchup, and soy sauce to taste. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, and simmer until thickened. Pour sauce over meatballs, and keep warm in the slow cooker.