Description
These Easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a flavorful and satisfying dish that can be served as a main course or a delicious appetizer. The combination of tangy pineapple juice, ketchup, and brown sugar creates a sweet and savory sauce that perfectly coats the meatballs, bell peppers, and pineapple chunks.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 ½ pounds frozen or homemade cooked meatballs
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
Instructions
- In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, whisk together pineapple juice, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens, about 3–5 minutes.
- Add the cooked meatballs, bell peppers, and pineapple chunks, stirring to coat evenly in the sauce.
- Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are heated through and peppers are tender-crisp.
- Serve hot over rice or as an appetizer.
Notes
- For a shortcut, use store-bought frozen meatballs.
- Adjust sweetness or tanginess by adding more sugar or vinegar to taste.
- This dish works well in a slow cooker for parties—just combine all ingredients and cook on low for 3–4 hours.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5–6 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
