Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
These sweet and sour meatballs are a quick and easy dinner made with tender meatballs, pineapple, bell peppers, and a rich sweet-and-tangy sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, this flavorful recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and tastes delicious served over warm rice.
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Servings: 6
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar, loosely packed
- ½ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2¼ cup pineapple juice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 25 all-purpose meatballs, frozen is fine
- 2 bell peppers, chopped (optional)
- 1 cup drained small pineapple chunks
- 2 tbsp sliced green onions, for garnish
- rice for serving
Instructions
- Add the brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and 2 cups of pineapple juice to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Combine the cornstarch with the remaining ¼ cup pineapple juice in a small bowl. Whisk thoroughly until smooth and free of lumps. Add this mixture to the skillet and whisk to incorporate.
- Add the meatballs and chopped bell peppers. Bring everything to a simmer, then cover the skillet. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the meatballs are heated through.
- Stir in the pineapple chunks. Serve warm over rice and finish with the sliced green onions.
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Recipe Notes
- Frozen meatballs are a convenient choice when you want to keep preparation to a minimum.
- Mixing the cornstarch with pineapple juice before adding it to the skillet helps prevent lumps.
- Maintain a gentle simmer once the meatballs are added so the sauce can thicken while the meatballs warm.
- Add the pineapple near the end of cooking to help preserve its texture.
- For make-ahead preparation, cook the sauce and meatballs in advance, then reheat gently and serve with freshly prepared rice.