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Sweet and Sour Meatballs
These sweet and sour meatballs are bursting with tangy pineapples and peppers. It's an easy, 20-minute version of Chinese takeout.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 325 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Chinese , American
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar, loosely packed
- ½ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2¼ cups pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 25 all-purpose meatballs, frozen is fine
- 2 bell peppers, chopped (optional)
- 1 cup drained small pineapple chunks
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions, for garnish
- rice for serving
Instructions
- Add brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and 2 cups of pineapple juice to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and the remaining ¼ cup pineapple juice, whisking to get out all the lumps. Whisk into your skillet.
- Add meatballs and chopped peppers. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the meatballs are heated through.
- Stir in pineapple chunks. Serve warm over rice. Top with green onion.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Balance the flavor. Balance out a too-sweet flavor by adding in something acidic like more vinegar or citrus juice. If the dish is too sour, add a sweetener like brown sugar, pineapple juice, or honey.
- Serving size. For a party appetizer plan 2-3 (2-inch) meatballs per person. For the main entrée plan 4-5 (2-inch) meatballs per serving. Keep warm in a crock pot.
- Freezer meal. Cook the sauce according to the recipe and simmer to thicken. Remove from the heat and cool. Add meatballs and peppers, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. You can heat them up in the slow cooker or stovetop.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or up to 3 months in the freezer. For best results reheat in the oven, but the microwave also works.
Nutrition Information
Calories
325kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
42g
(14%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
Cholesterol
42mg
(14%)
Sodium
301mg
(13%)
Potassium
480mg
(14%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
36g
(72%)
Vitamin A
1341IU
(27%)
Vitamin C
65mg
(72%)
Calcium
49mg
(5%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 325
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 325kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 42g | 14% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 42mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 301mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 480mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 36g | 72% |
| Vitamin A | 1341IU | 27% |
| Vitamin C | 65mg | 72% |
| Calcium | 49mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.