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4.9 from 78 votes

Sweet And Sour Meatballs

Tossed together with chunks of sweet pineapple and stir-fried veggies, these tasty quick and easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs can be baked or air fried! Made with juicy ground beef and coated in a simple sweet tangy sauce, these delicious meatballs are a dish that the whole family will love!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 375 kcal
Course: Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

Meatballs
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large onion shredded or finely chopped
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
Sweet And Sour Sauce
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup chicken broth low sodium
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ¼ cup pineapple juice from canned pineapple
  • ½ teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Main Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium green bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ½ cup pineapple chunks

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine all the meatball ingredients in a bowl. Form the meatballs into small golf ball size meatballs.
  2. Place the meatballs in the basket of your air fryer and air fry for 10 minutes at 380°F shaking them halfway through. To bake, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine all the sweet and sour sauce ingredients together, whisk well. Set aside.
  4. In a large wok or pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and bell peppers and cook for 1 minute. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
  5. Pour the sweet and sour sauce mixture in the wok and stir well until the sauce get thick and glossy.
  6. Add the meatballs and pineapple chunks to the wok, toss everything together well. Cook for another 2 minutes then remove from heat.
  7. Serve immediately over rice.

Notes

  • For the most uniform and evenly cooked meatballs, use a small cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to make them all exactly the same size and shape. 
  • Use an instant-read digital thermometer to ensure that the ground beef meatballs have reached an internal temperature of at least 160°F (74°C) before serving them.
  • If you want to add a little kick to the dish just mix in about a tablespoon of sriracha into the sauce mixture. You could also stir-fry some sliced jalapeno with the onion and bell pepper mixture.
  • Recipe yields around 36 meatballs.
  • Use a cookie scoop. For the most uniform and evenly cooked meatballs, use a small cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to make them all exactly the same size and shape. 
  • Temp the meatballs. Use an instant-read digital thermometer to ensure that the ground beef meatballs have reached an internal temperature of at least 160°F (74°C) before serving them.
  • Make it spicy. If you want to add a little kick to the dish just mix in about a tablespoon of sriracha into the sauce mixture. You could also stir-fry some sliced jalapeno with the onion and bell pepper mixture.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 375kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 31g (10%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 120mg (40%) Sodium 603mg (25%) Potassium 639mg (18%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 18g (36%) Vitamin A 679IU (14%) Vitamin C 37mg (41%) Calcium 73mg (7%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 375

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 375kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 31g 10%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 120mg 40%
Sodium 603mg 25%
Potassium 639mg 14%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 18g 36%
Vitamin A 679IU 14%
Vitamin C 37mg 41%
Calcium 73mg 7%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.