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To make sweet and sour meatballs, gather these ingredients: - 1 lb ground beef (or turkey) - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned) - 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced (any color) - 1/2 cup onion, diced - 1/4 cup soy sauce - 1/3 cup ketchup - 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening) - 1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional) - Green onions, sliced (for garnish) You can easily swap some ingredients for others: - Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option. - Replace breadcrumbs with crushed oats for a gluten-free choice. - If you want a cheese-free dish, skip the Parmesan. - Try coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a soy-free option. - Use honey or maple syrup as a sweetener in place of brown sugar. Sweet and sour meatballs can fit various diets: - Gluten-Free: Choose gluten-free breadcrumbs or oats. - Low-Carb: Use ground turkey and skip the sugar in the sauce. - Paleo: Use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs and honey in place of sugar. These adjustments make this recipe flexible for different needs while keeping it tasty and satisfying! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, gather your ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine: - 1 lb ground beef (or turkey) - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - Salt and pepper to taste Mix everything well. Use your hands to ensure it is well combined. Next, shape this mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch wide. Place them on a plate as you prepare to cook. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the meatballs on the sheet, making sure they are spaced apart. This helps them cook evenly. Bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes. They should be brown and cooked through when done. While the meatballs cook, you can make the sauce. In a large skillet over medium heat, add a splash of oil if you like. Next, add: - 1/2 cup onion, diced - 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced (any color) Sauté these for about 5 minutes until they are soft. In a bowl, whisk together: - 1/4 cup soy sauce - 1/3 cup ketchup - 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional) Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the skillet. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and bring it to a gentle simmer. If you want a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with a bit of water and stir it in. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until it thickens. Lastly, stir in 1 cup pineapple chunks and let it heat through for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving. To keep your meatballs moist, use a mix of ground beef and breadcrumbs. The breadcrumbs soak up moisture. Adding grated Parmesan cheese adds flavor and helps with texture. Don't overmix the meatball mixture. Just mix until combined. This keeps them light. For a thick sauce, use cornstarch. Mix it with a little water to make a slurry. Add it to your sauce while it's simmering. Stir well and let it cook for a few minutes. This gives the sauce a nice, thick texture. You can also use less liquid in the sauce for a thicker result. Serve your meatballs over rice or quinoa. This adds a nice base to soak up the sauce. You can add fresh pineapple chunks on top for extra sweetness. Sprinkle green onions and sesame seeds for a pop of color. This makes your dish look and taste amazing! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh pineapple and vibrant bell peppers for the best flavor and texture in your meatballs. Customize Your Meatballs: Feel free to substitute ground turkey for ground beef or add different herbs and spices to suit your taste. Thicken the Sauce: For a richer sauce, mix cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry before adding it to the skillet. Perfect Serving Size: Aim for uniform meatball sizes to ensure even cooking and a consistent bite throughout the dish. {{image_2}} You can easily switch up the meat in this recipe. Ground turkey works well. It gives a lighter taste. You can also use meat alternatives like plant-based ground meat. These options keep the dish tasty and healthy. Want to spice things up? Try adding some chili sauce for heat. You can make the sauce sugar-free by using a sugar substitute. This keeps the flavor without the extra sugar. Feel free to mix ketchup with other sauces, like teriyaki, for a twist. Add more veggies for extra taste and crunch. Carrots, zucchini, and snap peas fit well. You can also toss in some broccoli for a colorful plate. The more veggies, the better! They add nutrition and make the dish more fun. Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option. To reheat, you can use the microwave or the oven. For the microwave, place the meatballs on a plate. Heat for about 1-2 minutes until hot. If you use the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Put the meatballs on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes. This helps keep them juicy. To freeze meatballs, let them cool completely first. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much air as you can. Frozen meatballs can last up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat. Yes, you can make Sweet and Sour Meatballs ahead of time. Prepare the meatballs and sauce as directed. Store them separately in airtight containers. You can keep them in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat them on the stove or in the oven. This makes meal prep easy and fun. Sweet and Sour Meatballs pair well with many sides. Here are some tasty options: - Steamed rice - Quinoa - Noodles - Stir-fried vegetables - Fresh salad You can also add extra pineapple chunks or sesame seeds for a nice touch. To change the sweetness, you can add or reduce the brown sugar in the sauce. If you want it sweeter, add a little more sugar. For less sweetness, cut back on the sugar. You can also use honey or maple syrup for a different twist. Taste the sauce as you go to find your perfect balance! This blog post covered everything you need for sweet and sour meatballs. We discussed ingredients, substitutes, and dietary options. I offered step-by-step instructions for making the meatball mix, cooking them, and preparing the sauce. Plus, you learned key tips for keeping meatballs moist and thickening sauce. You can even explore variations and proper storage advice. In summary, sweet and sour meatballs are versatile and easy to prepare. Now, you can create your own delicious version!

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Delicious meatballs in a sweet and tangy sauce with pineapple and bell peppers.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
  • 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional)
  • to taste green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
  • Shape the mixture into small meatballs, around 1 inch in diameter, and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until they are cooked through and browned on the outside.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, add a splash of oil (if desired) and sauté the diced onion and bell peppers until they're soft, about 5 minutes.
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and sesame oil (if using).
  • Once the meatballs are done, add them to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs and bring to a gentle simmer.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with a little water to create a slurry and stir it into the sauce, allowing it to cook for another 2-3 minutes until it thickens.
  • Stir in the pineapple chunks and let everything cook together for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
  • Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

Serve over rice or quinoa, and garnish with sesame seeds.
Keyword meatballs, pineapple, sweet and sour