Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Sweet and Sour Meatballs are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, combining tender, juicy meatballs with a tangy, slightly sweet sauce. This dish is a favorite for family dinners, game-day appetizers, or potluck parties. The combination of savory meat, sweet pineapple, and a zesty sauce makes every bite irresistible. Whether served over rice, noodles, or on their own, these meatballs always disappear fast!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is quick, easy, and completely foolproof. It’s a one-pan dish with minimal cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The homemade sauce is rich and flavorful, far better than bottled alternatives. You can also prepare it ahead of time, making it ideal for entertaining or meal prepping.

Nutritional Information

These meatballs pack in protein and can be made lighter by using lean ground turkey or chicken. The pineapple juice adds natural sweetness and a boost of vitamin C. Since you control the sugar and sodium, it’s a healthier alternative to takeout sweet and sour dishes. You can feel good about serving this meal to the whole family.

• Calories: ~310
• Protein: 20g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Sugar: ~16g (mostly from sauce and pineapple juice)
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: ~680mg
• Vitamin C: ~25% DV (thanks to pineapple juice & optional peppers)
• Iron: ~15% DV

Time Breakdown

This dish is a great option for nights when you’re short on time but still want a home-cooked meal. With just 15 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, dinner will be ready in about 35 minutes. It’s fast, fuss-free, and perfect for busy schedules. You’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of pantry staples to bring this recipe together. Ground meat, breadcrumbs, and egg form the base for juicy meatballs, while the sauce uses pineapple juice, ketchup, vinegar, and brown sugar for that signature sweet-and-sour flavor. Cornstarch helps thicken the sauce to coat every bite. These simple ingredients create a dish that tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant.

For the meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt & pepper

For the sauce:

• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water)

Optional add-ins: bell peppers, onion chunks, or pineapple tidbits

Condensed Grocery Checklist

No long shopping trip required! You’ll just need ground meat, breadcrumbs, garlic, egg, pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Most of these items are pantry staples, so you may already have everything you need. This makes it a budget-friendly option that’s easy to whip up anytime.

• Ground beef (or turkey/chicken)
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Garlic
• Pineapple juice
• Rice vinegar
• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Soy sauce
• Cornstarch

How to Make – Step by Step

This recipe comes together in just a few simple steps. First, you’ll mix and shape the meatballs, then brown them for extra flavor. The sauce simmers in the same pan, making it quick and convenient. Finally, toss the meatballs in the sauce and let them soak up all that tangy goodness before serving.

1. Make meatballs: Mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper. Form into small balls.
2. Cook meatballs: Brown in a large skillet until cooked through, then set aside.
3. Make sauce: In the same skillet, combine pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer.
4. Thicken sauce: Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened.
5. Combine: Add meatballs back to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Serve warm.

Ingredient Swaps & Variations

The beauty of this recipe is how customizable it is. Swap beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version, or use plant-based meatballs to make it vegetarian. Add bell peppers, onions, or broccoli to sneak in extra veggies and color. You can even make it spicy with a dash of sriracha or red pepper flakes.

• Protein: Use turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meatballs for a lighter or vegetarian option.
• Sauce: Adjust sweetness by reducing brown sugar or adding a splash of honey for a different flavor.
• Veggies: Toss in bell peppers, onions, or broccoli for added texture and color.
• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or sriracha for heat.

Serving Suggestions

Sweet and Sour Meatballs are incredibly versatile, making them easy to fit into any meal plan. Serve them over rice for a classic take, pair with noodles for an Asian-inspired dinner, or plate them with roasted vegetables for a healthy twist. They also make a fantastic party appetizer when served on toothpicks. However you serve them, they’re always a hit.

• Over steamed rice or fried rice for a classic pairing
• With noodles for a fun twist
• On toothpicks as a party appetizer
• Alongside stir-fried vegetables for a balanced meal

Storing Tips

Leftovers are just as tasty, if not better, the next day. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months for easy meal prep. When reheating, warm them gently on the stove or in the microwave so the sauce stays smooth. This makes them a great make-ahead option for busy weeks.

• Refrigerate: In an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Freeze: Place cooled meatballs and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months
• Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through

Chef’s Special Tips

For the best results, brown the meatballs well before simmering, this adds incredible depth of flavor. Taste the sauce as it cooks and adjust the sweetness or tanginess to suit your preferences. If you want perfectly uniform meatballs, use a cookie scoop to portion them. These little tricks make the dish look and taste restaurant-quality.

• Brown meatballs well before simmering, this locks in flavor and gives them a nice texture.
• Taste the sauce as you go and adjust sweetness or tanginess to your preference.
• For perfectly round meatballs, use a small cookie scoop to portion them evenly.

Conclusion

Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a delicious, family-friendly meal that’s quick enough for weeknights yet special enough for guests. They’re tangy, slightly sweet, and packed with flavor, a true comfort dish. Make a batch tonight and watch them disappear.

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