If you are a fan of meatballs, you should absolutely try my sweet and sour meatballs in pomegranate sauce recipe! Flavoursome, spicy meatballs in a thick, fragrant and gloriously tangy reduction of pomegranate juice.
Lovers of pomegranate will want to try a sparkling Pomegranate French 75!
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My kids are always begging me to make meatballs for dinner but I’m usually reluctant to oblige. They always seemed so finicky to me. All that rolling and then frying…just the thought of it made me tired.
That being said I also refuse to buy already made meatballs as they always seem to be of the worst quality-too bland and too fatty. Sometimes all you need is a little bit of inspiration.
To find that, I looked into the cuisine of Central Asia. With incredible use of spices, fruit and a genius approach to herbs, it’s a cuisine that deserves a lot more attention.
It all came together so well! The meatballs are juicy and jam packed with flavour, while the pomegranate sauce is luxuriously fragrant. Add a bit of spice and a liberal use of herbs and you have a stunningly good meal!
Meatballs in Sweet and Sour Sauce
For the meatballs I used the combination of both extra lean beef and pork. Sumac, cayenne pepper and fresh cilantro was added to the meat mixture to make it spicier.
If you like sweet and sour sauces, you will fall in love with this pomegranate sauce, that the meatballs are glazed in. The taste is both nostalgically familiar and excitingly new. It reminds us of sweet and sour dishes we grew up eating but is somehow different.
It’s the pomegranate that updates this sauce with a much more complex and sophisticated flavour we knew nothing about back in the 80s. And as much as I love pineapple chunks and ketchup, you won’t find any here!
Another reason to love this recipe is it’s QUICK! I know, friends, I just told you that I always thought that meatball making is a long and tedious business.
But when I finished I realised that the whole process took me 1 hour from start to finish. I served these meatballs piled on top of fluffy couscous, and you don’t need me to tell you that couscous takes no time at all to prepare!
These meatballs were an absolute hit with the family! You know that moment when dinner conversation ceases and all you hear is the sound of people chewing? Expect that!
Recipe tips and notes
- Ground lamb can be used instead of beef and pork, and would be closer to a traditional recipe from Central Asia.
- I used lean beef and pork to reduce the calories of this dish, but other varieties with more fat content can be used instead. Fat will add more flavour, so it all depends on what your priorities are.
- If you can’t find This is an affiliate link.pomegranate molasses you can substitute it with a combination This is an affiliate link.pomegranate juice and balsamic vinegar reduced to a thick consistency.
- Breadcrumbs can be substituted for oats.
Serving suggestions
I love the chance to switch things up every once in a while, and this is a good chance to change the carb from the standard rice and potatoes. Instead, I’m going to suggest couscous, which is a great match for everything these meatballs have to offer. Make sure to get a good pour of the pomegranate sauce!
They’ll also work brilliantly as an appetizer or party food, where you’ll really be able to enjoy just how punchy the sauce is. Serve with a drizzle of sauce.
Storage and leftovers
Meatballs are legendary as a frozen dinner option and can be stored up to 2 months. Meatballs that have been cooked can be cooked again from frozen. Uncooked meatballs need to be defrosted overnight before going in the oven.
If you have any leftovers from your meal, they can be kept in an This is an affiliate link.airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat on the stove top with a splash of water to keep the sauce loose or in a microwave.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs in Pomegranate Sauce
Equipment
- This is an affiliate link.Food processor
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 450 g /1 lbs extra lean ground beef
- 450 g /1 lbs extra lean ground pork
- 1 onion processed in a food processor with 2 tbsp of water or grated
- 1 egg large
- 30 g / ⅓ cup oats
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp sumac optional
- 2 tsp dried mint
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground pepper
- 2 tbsp oil for frying
For the Pomegranate sauce
- 4 tbsp This is an affiliate link.pomegranate molasses
- 500 ml /2 cups beef or chicken stock
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water
- ½ tsp chilli flakes
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp sumac
- Seeds from ½ pomegranate
- 1 tbsp fresh mint chopped
Instructions
- Process the onion with 2 tbsp of water in a food processor to a paste or grate it on a grater. In a large bowl combine both meats, onion, egg, spices and chopped fresh cilantro, oats, salt and pepper.
- Form meatballs approximately the size of golf balls. Use a small ice cream scoop to get even sized meatballs. Arrange them on a cutting board and put them in the freezer for 10-15 min to firm up.
- Brown meatballs in batches over medium high heat on all sides in hot oil, they don't need to be cooked all the way through. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Discard the oil meatballs were browned in and wipe the pan with a paper towel.
- To the same pan add pomegranate molasses, beef or chicken stock, brown sugar and spices. Bring to a boil and simmer until it starts to get thicker, add a mixture of corn starch and water and stir with a whisk to make sure there are not lumps. Add half of the pomegranate seeds to the sauce together with meatballs.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes shaking the pan once in a while to prevent meatballs sticking until the sauce is thick and syrupy. If your sauce is still thin after the time stated continue simmering until it has the consistency of glaze.
- Serve sprinkled with the remaining pomegranate seeds and chopped fresh mint leaves.
