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Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Pineapple Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 483 reviews
  • Author: Jaden
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American-Chinese

Description

Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Pineapple is a quick and flavorful dish that combines tender frozen meatballs with a tangy and sweet sauce made from brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Enhanced with colorful bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks, this skillet meal is perfect for a fast weeknight dinner served over rice and garnished with sesame seeds.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs and Sauce

  • 26 ounce bag frozen homestyle meatballs
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Vegetables

  • 1 medium red bell pepper (cut into 1″ pieces)
  • 1 medium green bell pepper (cut into 1″ pieces)
  • 1 cup yellow onion (cut into 1″ pieces)

Thickener and Fruit

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks in 100% juice (reserve ⅓ cup pineapple juice in a small bowl)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and minced garlic until fully combined. Set aside.
  2. Sauté the vegetables: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red and green bell peppers along with the yellow onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften but still retain some crispness.
  3. Add the sauce and meatballs: Reduce heat to medium and pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce into the skillet. Stir well to combine with the vegetables. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then carefully add the frozen meatballs into the skillet.
  4. Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the reserved ⅓ cup pineapple juice with cornstarch until smooth and free of lumps. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the meatballs and sauce. Stir gently to blend, then cook for 8-10 minutes until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce has thickened to a glossy consistency.
  5. Add pineapple chunks and finish: Stir in the pineapple chunks, coating them evenly with the thickened sauce. Heat through for an additional minute.
  6. Serve: Serve the sweet and sour meatballs hot over steamed rice. Optionally, garnish with sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

  • This recipe can be prepared in just 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
  • The sauce balances sweetness from brown sugar and ketchup with tang from apple cider vinegar and umami from Worcestershire and soy sauces.
  • Using frozen meatballs saves preparation time while maintaining a hearty texture.
  • Vegetables add freshness and color, but you can customize with other peppers or onions as preferred.
  • Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
  • Reserve pineapple juice for thickening; do not discard as it enhances flavor and texture.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 469 kcal
  • Sugar: 23 g
  • Sodium: 433 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 98 mg

Find it online: https://yummyhere.com/sweet-and-sour-meatballs-with-pineapple-recipe/