Zippy Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe for Family Dinners

Tantalizing aromas of sweet and sour meatballs waft through the kitchen, promising a flavor explosion that will delight every palate.

These juicy, succulent meatballs bathed in a perfectly balanced sweet and sour sauce create an irresistible meal that sparks immediate hunger.

The combination of tender meat and zesty sauce brings a delightful twist to your dinner routine.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of rich, savory notes with bright, tangy undertones.

The recipe marries classic comfort food with a vibrant, modern flavor profile that makes ordinary meals extraordinary.

Quick to prepare and even faster to devour, these meatballs will become an instant favorite at your table.

Let’s find out this mouthwatering dish and experience a culinary journey that transforms an everyday meal into a celebration of taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 392 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Sweet and Sour Meatballs

• Ground Beef or Pork: Choose fresh, lean meat with a good fat content for juicy, tender meatballs that hold together well during cooking.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent to help meatballs maintain their shape and create a smooth texture.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a softer, more delicate meatball texture.
• Breadcrumbs: Provides structure and helps absorb moisture, preventing meatballs from becoming dense or tough.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances the natural flavor of the meat and creates a balanced taste profile.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Adds depth and aromatic complexity to the meatball mixture without using fresh ingredients.

• Pineapple Juice: Brings a bright, tropical sweetness and helps tenderize the meat.
• Brown Sugar: Provides rich, caramel-like sweetness that balances the tangy elements.
• Ketchup: Adds a classic tomato base with a hint of sweetness and acidity.
• Rice Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar: Introduces a sharp, tangy flavor that cuts through the richness of the meat.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce, creating a glossy, clingy coating for the meatballs.

Tools for Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ground meat and seasonings.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for perfect meatball ingredients.
• Skillet: Ideal for browning meatballs with even heat distribution.
• Saucepan: Great for creating and simmering the sweet and sour sauce.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring sauce and mixing ingredients.
• Cutting board: Helpful for preparing green onion garnish.
• Tongs: Useful for handling and moving meatballs during cooking.

How to Cook Sweet and Sour Meatballs Easily

• Meat Mixture Preparation

Grab your favorite ground meat and mix it with pantry staples like breadcrumbs, a splash of milk, and a cracked egg. Season generously with classic spices to create a flavor-packed base. Roll the mixture into bite-sized spheres that promise a juicy bite.

• Sizzling Golden Exterior

Heat a skillet with a whisper of oil until it shimmers. Gently place your meatballs, letting them dance and develop a gorgeous caramel-brown crust. These golden nuggets will become the star of your culinary adventure.

• Sauce Symphony

In a separate pan, weave together a magical sauce combining sweet and zesty elements. Pineapple juice brings sunshine, while vinegar adds a tangy punch. Let the liquid bubble and meld, creating a glossy coating that will make taste buds sing.

• Sauce Transformation

Thicken your sauce with a quick cornstarch trick, stirring until it transforms into a luscious glaze that clings perfectly to each meatball. The sauce should look like liquid silk, promising incredible flavor.

• Final Fusion

Return the golden meatballs to their saucy bath, letting them simmer and absorb every drop of deliciousness. A few minutes of gentle cooking will marry all the flavors into one spectacular dish.

• Delicious Presentation

Nestle your meatballs over a bed of fluffy rice or twirly noodles. Sprinkle with fresh green onions or a handful of sesame seeds for that restaurant-worthy final touch.

Sweet and Sour Meatball Tips You’ll Love

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that keeps the dish light and delicious.
• Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the sweet and sour sauce for those who love a zesty kick that transforms the entire flavor profile.
• Prepare meatballs and sauce a day in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator. This strategy allows flavors to develop deeper complexity and makes mealtime a breeze.
• Toss in diced bell peppers, pineapple chunks, or sliced onions during the final simmering stage to add extra nutrition and create a more colorful, vibrant dish that feels like a complete meal.

How to Serve Sweet and Sour Meatballs Right

• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange these meatballs on a large wooden board with toothpicks for easy grabbing during game nights or cocktail parties. Guests will love popping these bite-sized delights.
• Meal Companion Magic: Pair these sweet and sour meatballs with steamed jasmine rice, crispy stir-fried vegetables, or soft buttered egg noodles to create a complete and satisfying meal that pleases everyone at the table.
• Lunch Box Delight: Pack these meatballs in a portable container for a tasty work or school lunch. They taste delicious warm or at room temperature, making them a versatile midday meal option that breaks away from boring sandwich routines.
• Appetizer Elegance: Serve these meatballs in mini ceramic dishes at dinner parties or holiday gatherings. Sprinkle some extra green onions and sesame seeds on top for a professional, restaurant-style presentation that will impress your guests.

Storing Sweet and Sour Meatballs After Serving

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping sauce and meat together to maintain moisture and flavor intensity.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Carefully pack cooled meatballs and sauce in freezer-safe containers, which will stay delicious for 2-3 months when sealed properly with minimal air exposure.
• Meal Prep Hack: Prepare double batches of meatballs during weekends, separating portions into individual containers for quick weeknight dinners or lunch options.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm refrigerated meatballs gently in microwave or stovetop, adding small splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying out and maintain original juicy texture.

Irresistible Meatballs Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade sweet and sour meatballs combine ground beef with tangy sauce for a delightful meal. Balanced flavors and easy preparation make this classic dish perfect when you crave something satisfying and quick to prepare.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef or pork
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
• ¼ cup (30 g) breadcrumbs
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• 1 cup (240 ml) pineapple juice
• ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) ketchup
• ¼ cup (60 ml) rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsps (30 g) cornstarch
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) water

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Instructions

1. Meat Mixture Preparation: Thoroughly blend ground meat with breadcrumbs, milk, egg, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl until ingredients are fully integrated and consistent.
2. Meatball Formation: Craft uniform 1-inch spherical meatballs, ensuring even size for consistent cooking and optimal texture.
3. Browning Process: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, carefully searing meatballs on all sides until a rich golden-brown exterior develops, rotating every 90 seconds to guarantee even caramelization.
4. Sauce Creation: Simultaneously prepare the sweet and sour sauce by combining pineapple juice, brown sugar, white vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce in a separate saucepan, whisking until ingredients merge and begin to simmer.
5. Thickening Technique: Generate a smooth cornstarch slurry, gradually incorporating it into the simmering sauce while stirring continuously to prevent lumps and achieve desired viscosity.
6. Flavor Infusion: Reintroduce browned meatballs into the sauce, allowing them to simmer for 6-8 minutes, enabling complete flavor absorption and ensuring thorough internal cooking.
7. Presentation: Plate the sweet and sour meatballs over steamed rice or egg noodles, elegantly garnishing with chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds for enhanced visual and textural dimensions.

Notes

• Meat Mixing Technique: Blend ingredients gently to prevent overworking the meat, which can make meatballs tough and dense.
• Uniform Meatball Sizing: Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon for consistent size, ensuring even cooking and professional presentation.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm 160°F internal temperature, preventing undercooked meat and potential foodborne illnesses.
• Cornstarch Slurry Secret: Whisk cornstarch and water separately before adding to sauce to eliminate lumps and create smooth, glossy sauce texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying, Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 392
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg