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+ servings

Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

Sweet and sour meatballs are a delightful combination of savory meat and a tangy, sweet sauce, perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or as appetizers. The dish features tender meatballs simmered in a flavorful sauce made from pineapple juice, vinegar, and brown sugar.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer, Family Friendly, Main Course
Cuisine Chinesse-American, Fusion
Servings 4 servings
Calories 322 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground beef or pork
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder

For the Sauce:

  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water slurry

Instructions
 

Prepare the Meatballs:

  • In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until well combined.
  • Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.

Cook the Meatballs:

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a bit of oil. Cook the meatballs in batches until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.

Make the Sauce:

  • In a medium saucepan, combine the pineapple juice, brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  • Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce, stirring constantly until it thickens.

Combine and Serve:

  • Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce, ensuring they are well coated. Simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes.
  • Serve over rice or noodles, garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

For a spicy twist, add chili flakes or hot sauce to the sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 180gCalories: 322kcal
Keyword Crowd-Pleaser, easy, meatball, sweet, tangy
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