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Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Sweet and sour meatballs are a delicious dish featuring tender meatballs coated in a tangy-sweet sauce, offering a delightful combination of flavors.
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Experience a burst of flavors with our sweet and sour meatballs recipe. These succulent meatballs are smothered in a mouthwatering sweet and sour sauce, making them a hit at any gathering.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs Ingredients
Lean ground beef provides a juicy and flavorful base, along with a combination of sweet yellow onions, breadcrumbs, milk, and seasonings.
To create the sauce, pineapple chunks bring natural sweetness, while BBQ sauce and sweet chili sauce create a harmonious sweet and spicy blend balanced by light brown sugar and tangy apple cider vinegar.
You’ll need:
For The Meatballs:
- 2 pounds of lean ground beef
- ½ cup of finely diced sweet yellow onion
- ½ cup of plain breadcrumbs
- ½ cup of whole milk
- 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
- 1½ teaspoons of kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon of fresh cracked black pepper
For The Sweet And Sour Sauce:
- 1 (20-ounce) can of pineapple chunks, separate the pineapple chunks and reserve the juice
- ¾ cup of BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- ½ cup of sweet chili sauce
- ½ cup of light brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
Substitutions and Additions
GROUND MEAT: If you’re looking for a lighter alternative, consider substituting ground turkey for lean ground beef. It offers a leaner option while maintaining the meaty flavor.
ONION: Use red onions instead of yellow in this easy recipe for added depth. They bring a mild, sweet flavor with a hint of spiciness.
SWEET CHILI SAUCE: Experiment with different heat levels by choosing mild or spicy sweet chili sauce, depending on your preference for a milder or spicier kick.
PINEAPPLE CHUNKS: Fresh pineapple chunks can be used instead of canned for a more vibrant and fruity flavor.
BBQ SAUCE: Feel free to switch up the BBQ sauce brand to match your favorite flavor profile, whether it’s smoky, spicy, or sweet.
SOY SAUCE: Opt for low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your sodium intake while still enjoying that umami richness.
MEATBALLS: You can use premade store-bought meatballs in the dish. Simply shorten the cooking time to 25 minutes.
VEGGIES: You can also add sliced onion and green bell peppers to the meatball mixture to add a different flavor.
How To Make This Sweet And Sour Meatballs Recipe
Once you mix up the homemade meatballs, you’ll top them with the sweet and sour sauce and bake. Let’s walk through the step-by-step instructions.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Set it aside.
STEP TWO: Using a large bowl, combine the lean ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, kosher salt, and fresh cracked pepper. Mix until well combined.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
If you use your hands to mix the meatball ingredients, I strongly recommend wearing gloves. I also recommend wearing gloves when shaping the raw meatballs.
STEP THREE: Scoop out the meat mixture using a 1½-tablespoon scoop. Roll the scooped meat into a ball. Place the meatballs into the prepared baking dish. Set it aside.
PRO TIP:
I highly recommend having a dedicated scoop for meatballs. There is always a risk of cross-contamination. Be sure to clearly mark the scoop for anyone to recognize.
STEP FOUR: Using a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Set it aside.
STEP FIVE: Evenly sprinkle the pineapple chunks over the meatballs.
STEP SIX: Pour the pineapple juice mixture over the meatballs.
STEP SEVEN: Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Serve hot over rice.
PRO TIP:
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your beef meatballs as the suggested cooking time approaches.
How To Serve
Pair these easy sweet and sour meatballs with fluffy white rice and sauteed vegetables for a complete meal. The rice soaks up the tangy sauce, creating an irresistible combination.
Transform these delicious meatballs into a flavorful party appetizer by serving them with toothpicks. They’re the perfect bite-sized party snack.
Elevate your lunch by making a meatball sandwich with a soft sub roll, lettuce, and a drizzle of extra sweet and sour sauce.
Check out our original homemade meatball recipe. Our Swedish meatballs are always a favorite.
MORE MEATBALL RECIPES
Storage
MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare the meatball mixture in advance, shaping them into balls and storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day before baking.
IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftover sweet and sour meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave.
IN THE FREEZER: If you want to freeze them, arrange the cooled meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep well for up to two months.
REHEATING: To reheat, place frozen or refrigerated meatballs in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes until heated through.
Alternatively, use the microwave for a quick reheat, but be sure to cover them to retain moisture.
Why We Love This Recipe
CROWD-PLEASER: Whether it’s a family dinner or a party, these meatballs are a guaranteed hit with guests of all ages.
MAKE-AHEAD: You can prepare the meatball mixture in advance, making it a convenient choice for busy days.
FREEZER-FRIENDLY: With the option to freeze them, you can enjoy these meatballs anytime for an easy dinner with minimal effort.
Our sweet and sour meatballs recipe combines sweet and tangy flavors. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, a game night, or a potluck party, these delicious meatballs are a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone craving more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Ground turkey is a great lean alternative that works well with this recipe.
What other vegetables can I add to the meatball mixture?
Experiment with sliced green peppers or other vegetables for added flavor and texture.
Can I use ground pork instead of beef in this sweet and sour meatball recipe?
You can mix ground pork with ground beef for a different flavor profile.
Can I make the sauce less spicy?
Choose a milder sweet chili sauce or reduce the amount to make it less spicy.
How do I prevent the meatballs from falling apart?
Ensure thorough mixing of ingredients and use a scoop for consistent-sized meatballs to maintain their shape.
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Absolutely, fresh pineapple adds a vibrant twist to the recipe.
Can I make the sauce less sweet?
Adjust the sweetness by reducing the brown sugar or opting for a less sweet BBQ sauce.
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Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Sweet and sour meatballs are a delicious dish featuring tender meatballs coated in a tangy-sweet sauce, offering a delightful combination of flavors.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 38
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- ½ cup sweet yellow onion, finely diced
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- 20 ounces pineapple chunks, separate the pineapple chunks and reserve the juice
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce, your favorite brand
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Set it aside.
- Using a large mixing bowl, combine the lean ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, kosher salt, and fresh cracked pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Using a 1½-tablespoon scoop, scoop out the meatball mixture. Roll the scooped meat into a ball. Place the meatballs into the prepared baking dish. Set it aside.
- Using a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Set it aside.
- Evenly sprinkle the pineapple chunks over the meatballs.
- Pour the pineapple juice mixture over the meatballs.
- Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Serve hot over rice.
Notes
- If you use your hands to mix the meatball ingredients, I strongly recommend wearing gloves. I also recommend wearing gloves when shaping the raw meatballs.
- I highly recommend having a dedicated scoop for meatballs. There is always a risk of cross-contamination. Be sure to clearly mark the scoop for anyone to recognize.
- Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your beef meatballs as the suggested cooking time approaches.
Nutrition
Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 233mg | Potassium: 134mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Khristine Alba says
Sooo yummy! My kid love it!
Treena says
This recipe was so simple and easy to put together. It will be a go to for sure on week nights.
Mrs. Lorene Cheatwood says
Where can you find the meat balls
Layne Kangas says
You can pick them up at your grocery store in the meat section. Enjoy!
Sharon says
I live in canada, we do not have these meatballs… do u have a recipe to make them By hand.
Layne Kangas says
No, we don’t have a from-scratch meatball recipe on the site yet!
Judith G.r says
I’m so anxious to make this delicious sounding dish. Can I use Apple Cider Vinegar in place of the rice wine vinegar???
Thanks so much!!!
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Judith – that should work fine, enjoy!