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Easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

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4.4 from 55 reviews

This EASY Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe features tender ground beef meatballs baked to perfection, then simmered in a tangy, flavorful sweet and sour sauce made with pineapple juice, rice vinegar, and a touch of brown sugar. Paired with sautéed onions and bell peppers, and served over fluffy cooked rice, this dish is a quick and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon soy sauce

Sweet and Sour Sauce

  • 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2/3 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Vegetables and Additional Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 medium onion (diced)
  • 1 medium red pepper (diced)
  • 1 medium yellow pepper (diced)
  • 1/2 cup diced pineapple
  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • cilantro and green onions (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the meatballs.
  2. Mix Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined to form your meatball mixture.
  3. Scoop Meatballs: Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon spoon, scoop out portions of the meatball mixture and shape them into balls.
  4. Place on Baking Sheet: Arrange the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them evenly.
  5. Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit ensuring they are fully cooked.
  6. Sauté Vegetables: While the meatballs bake, heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion, red pepper, and yellow pepper, sautéing until they are softened and fragrant.
  7. Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, brown sugar, chicken broth, pineapple juice, tomato paste, and cornstarch until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
  8. Add Meatballs and Sauce: Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to the skillet with the sautéed peppers and onions. Pour the prepared sauce over the meatballs and vegetables.
  9. Thicken Sauce: Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly. The sauce will start out thin but will thicken as it cooks, coating the meatballs and vegetables nicely.
  10. Add Pineapple: Stir in the diced pineapple, mixing to combine and heat through.
  11. Serve: Serve the sweet and sour meatballs hot over cooked rice. Garnish with cilantro and green onions if desired for added freshness and color.

Notes

  • Make sure the meatballs are cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F for food safety.
  • Using fresh pineapple adds natural sweetness and texture; canned pineapple can be substituted if needed.
  • Adjust sweetness or tanginess of sauce by modifying amounts of brown sugar and rice vinegar to taste.
  • For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and soy sauce.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to avoid drying out the meatballs.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/easy-sweet-and-sour-meatballs-recipe/