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    Home / Recipes / Small Bites

    Vegan Sweet and Sour Meatballs

    Published: Dec 21, 2021 · Modified: Jun 10, 2022 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    vegan sweet and sour meatballs recipe served

    My kids always ask for my grandma's sweet and sour meatballs recipe during the holidays. Of course, grandma wasn't vegan, so I made vegan sweet and sour meatballs and used her sauce recipe to keep her meatball tradition alive. Not only is this vegan sweet and sour meatballs recipe easy to make, but they also disappear in seconds whenever I take them to parties. Even meat-eaters love them, but I don't ever tell them the vegan meatballs are vegan. Shhhhh! 

    First, I make my lentil meatballs, which I often use for any recipe that includes meatballs. Since I use them often, I make several batches and freeze them for various recipes. 

    Then, I toss the frozen lentil meatballs in the crockpot with grandmas' simple sauce recipe, and BAM, a masterpiece, is born. 

    Although the sauce isn't the healthiest combination of two ingredients, I serve these meatballs during the holidays as a treat. So, if you follow a whole foods plant-based diet, I don't think chili sauce and grape jelly are on your grocery list. But, you can always make these meatballs with any healthy sauce, like my Healthy BBQ Sauce.

    Other vegan meatball options for the sweet and sour vegan meatball recipe

    Have you ever eaten Trader Joes Meatless Meatballs? Although I like making vegan sweet and sour meatballs with my Vegan Lentil Meatballs, if you're in a hurry and in need of a quick appetizer to take to a party, there are other vegan meatballs available in the freezer section of the grocery store.

    Another alternative sold in many stores is Gardein Meatless Meatballs. Any meatless meatballs you choose work perfectly with this quick and easy recipe.

    HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE LENTIL MEATBALLS

    vegan meatball recipe

    When I was a kid, my grandma used to say if we knew what was in her meatball recipe, no one would eat them.

    But, if you tasted them and knew how delicious they were, you would never imagine or care what was in them.

    Now, I'm sure I wouldn't think that today, but as long as it tasted good when we were kids, we ate anything. 

    How to make lentil meatballs 

    • Cooked Brown Lentils (Trader Joe's has excellent pre-cooked, oil-free, steamed lentils)
    • Organic Vegetable Broth
    • Shallot
    • Garlic
    • Basil
    • Italian Parsley
    • Muir Glen Organic Tomato Paste
    • Italian Panko Bread Crumbs or bread crumbs of choice
    • Salt
    • Pepper

    How to make a flax egg

    • Flaxseed Meal
    • Water

    How to make sweet and sour vegan meatballs recipe in the crockpot 

    • Rinse the lentils: Measure the lentils into a strainer or colander.
    • Pick over and remove any shriveled lentils, debris, or rocks.
    • Thoroughly rinse under running water.
    • Combine the lentils and veggie broth: Transfer the rinsed lentils to a saucepan and add veggie broth.
    • Bring to a rapid simmer, then reduce heat: Bring the water to a rapid simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to maintain a very gentle simmer.
    • You should only see a few tiny bubbles and slight movement in the lentils.
    • Cook the lentils: Cook, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes.
    • Remove from heat. Measure out 1 ½ cup
    • Or use steamed prepared lentils for a quick option (Trader Joe's makes great seemed lentils)

    lentil meatballs in a muffin pan

    Another idea is to use a mini-muffin pan for cooking the lentil meatballs. 

    How to cook lentil meatballs 

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
    • Add flaxseed and water and set up for 2-3 minutes; then add to a food processor.
    • Add cooked, cooled lentils, sautéed garlic and shallot, Italian seasonings, parsley, tomato paste, and a pinch of each salt and pepper to a food processor.
    • Pulse, mixing until combined; DO NOT purée or over pulse; it needs rice texture.
    • Add breadcrumbs, and stir by hand.
    • I like it salty, so add salt as desired.
    • Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt and pepper or herbs for flavor.
    • Use a melon baller or cookie dough baller, scoop out rounded Tablespoon amounts of dough, and carefully form into balls.
    • You may use your hands (I do).

    Baking

    • I don't use oil, so place lentil meatballs on a baking pan and bake them. Or, use a mini muffin pan for baking the lentil meatballs.
    • While the lentil meatballs are baking, keep opening the oven, shaking the pan, and moving the meatballs around.
    • Cook 30 minutes total, rotating the meatballs every 10 minutes to ensure all sides are covered.
    • Remove meatballs from the oven and let cool slightly; about 10 minutes.
    • They get firm sitting there, so don't disturb them.

    Tips

    • If submerging the lentil meatballs into sauce for an extended period of time, freeze the meatballs first, especially if put into a crockpot for the tangy meatball recipe.
    • You want the meatballs to stay in a uniform shape.
    • This will prevent them from falling apart in the crockpot. 
    • If you don't freeze the meatballs first, I suggest heating the sauce and pouring it over the cooked meatballs before serving. 

    vegan sweet and sour meatballs recipe

    Tangy sauce ingredients

    • Concord Grape Jam
    • Heinz Chili Sauce

    This recipe is simple and easy to make; anyone can do it. I use my crockpot, and it takes all of 5 minutes unless you are making your vegan lentil meatballs.

    Meat-eaters and vegans alike LOVE these little tangy veggie balls.

    So, if you are looking for a quick and easy appetizer to take anywhere to please everyone, try this recipe. You won't be disappointed.

    For an alternative option, try my healthy BBQ sauce as an alternative (included in the recipe card below) 

    If you are looking for an appetizer everyone loves, try these recipes. 

    • Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip
    • French Onion Dip
    • Portobello Fries
    • Greek Mini Bites The Perfect Party Appetizer
    • Vegan Baby Portobello Mushroom Bites Recipe
    • Chili Cheese Dip
    • Cheesy  Spinach Artichoke Dip Fat-Free and Fabulous
    • Tater Tot Nachos
    • Vegan Corn Dogs

    📖 Recipe

    Tangy crockpot meatballs

    Vegan Sweet and Sour Meatballs

    Kathy Carmichael
    I veganized Grandma's sweet and sour meatball recipe. Even meat-eaters love these vegan sweet and sour meatballs! So, don't tell anyone. Shhh!
    4.47 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 6 hrs
    Total Time 6 hrs 15 mins
    Course Small Bites
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 323 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    1 recipe lentil meatballs or sub vegan meatballs of choice

    • 1 ½ cups cooked brown lentils
    • 1 Shallot minced
    • 3 cloves minced Garlic
    • 1 ½ Tablespoons fresh Basil chopped
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian Parsley
    • 1 Tablespoon Muir Glen Organic Tomato Paste
    • 5-6 Tablespoons Italian Panko Bread Crumbs or bread crumbs of choice
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper

    HOW TO MAKE A FLAX EGG:

    • 1 Tablespoons Flaxseed Meal
    • 2 ½ Tablespoon Water

    Sweet and Sour Sauce

    • 20 ounces Concord Grape Jam
    • 36 ounces Heinz Chili Sauce
    • Alternative BBQ Sauce Recipe
    • 1 white onion diced
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 Tablespoons Organic Tomato Paste
    • 15 ounces Organic Tomato Sauce
    • 4 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup or date syrup
    • 1 Tablespoon Vegan Worcestershire Sauce
    • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
    • 1 ½ Tablespoons Molasses
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • ½ teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

    QUICK AND EASY BBQ SAUCE (OPTION 3)

    • 15 ounces Organic Tomato Sauce
    • 1 Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce
    • 2 Tablespoons Grape Jelly
    • 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar

    Instructions
     

    How to cook lentil meatballs 

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
    • Add flaxseed and water and set up for 2-3 minutes; then add to a food processor.
    • Add cooked, cooled lentils, sautéed garlic and shallot, Italian seasonings, parsley, tomato paste, and a pinch of each salt and pepper to a food processor.
    • Pulse, mixing until combined; DO NOT purée or over pulse; it needs rice texture.
    • Add breadcrumbs, and stir by hand.
    • I like it salty, so add salt as desired.
    • Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt and pepper or herbs for flavor.
    • Use a melon baller or cookie dough baller, scoop out rounded Tablespoon amounts of dough, and carefully form into balls.
    • You may use your hands (I do).

    Baking

    • I don't use oil, so place lentil meatballs on a baking pan and bake them. Or, use a mini muffin pan for baking the lentil meatballs.
    • While the lentil meatballs are baking, keep opening the oven, shaking the pan, and moving the meatballs around.
    • Cook 30 minutes total, rotating the meatballs every 10 minutes to ensure all sides are covered.
    • Remove meatballs from the oven and let cool slightly; about 10 minutes.
    • They get firm while they cool, so don't disturb them.

    Making the Sweet and Sour Meatballs

    • In a high-speed blender, mix the grape jam and chili sauce together and pour into the base of a crockpot.
    • If using an alternative sauce, combine ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
    • Add prepared meatballs or frozen vegan meatballs
    • Gently stir.
    • Turn on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours if meatballs are frozen
    • Stir GENTLY a few times while cooking.

    Notes

    Tips

    1. If submerging the lentil meatballs into the sauce for an extended period of time, freeze the meatballs first, especially if put into a crockpot for the tangy meatball recipe.
    2. You want the meatballs to stay in a uniform shape.
    3. This will prevent them from falling apart in the crockpot. 
    4. If you don't freeze the meatballs first, I suggest heating the sauce and pouring it over the cooked meatballs before serving. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 323kcalCarbohydrates: 73gProtein: 7gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 1645mgPotassium: 808mgFiber: 7gSugar: 46gVitamin A: 1155IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 3mg
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

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    1. Anonymous

      November 06, 2020 at 4:12 pm

      5 stars

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