Description
Sweet & Sour Meatballs are tender, juicy meatballs coated in a tangy and sweet pineapple-infused sauce. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or comforting dinner served over rice or with veggies.
Ingredients
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying)
- For the Sweet & Sour Sauce:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks (with juice)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, salt, black pepper, oregano, and onion powder until just combined. Form into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook meatballs 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, pineapple juice, pineapple chunks, and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Add meatballs to the sauce, stirring gently to coat. Simmer another 5–10 minutes so flavors meld.
- Serve over rice or with vegetables. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- For a pineapple-free version, omit pineapple chunks and add extra vinegar or orange juice.
- Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicy twist.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat.
- Mix in diced bell peppers or honey-chili sauce for extra flavor complexity.
- Make ahead by browning meatballs ahead of time; reheat in sauce before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
