Sweet and Sour Meatballs

🍽️ Sweet and Sour Meatballs (American Style)

A hearty, delicious dinner that’s packed with flavor! Juicy meatballs in a sticky-sweet, tangy sauce with colorful veggies and pineapple—perfect over rice.

🧆 Meatball Ingredients:

◾️2 pounds ground beef

◾️1 cup breadcrumbs

◾️1 large onion, shredded or finely chopped

◾️2 large eggs

◾️½ tsp garlic powder

◾️Salt and pepper, to taste

🍍 Sweet & Sour Sauce:

◾️3 tbsp rice vinegar

◾️⅓ cup brown sugar

◾️1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)

◾️⅓ cup ketchup

◾️1 tbsp tomato paste

◾️¼ cup pineapple juice (from a can of pineapple)

◾️½ tsp cornstarch

◾️1 tsp salt

🌶️ Veggies:

◾️1 tbsp vegetable oil

◾️1 large onion, diced

◾️2 garlic cloves, minced

◾️1 red bell pepper, chopped

◾️1 green bell pepper, chopped

◾️½ cup pineapple chunks

👩‍🍳 How to Make It:

✅️1. Mix and Roll:

In a big bowl, mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, eggs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Form into small meatballs (about 1 inch).

✅️2. Brown the Meatballs:

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs until browned on all sides. Take them out and set them aside.

✅️3. Sauté Veggies:

In the same skillet, cook the onion, garlic, and peppers for 3–4 minutes until slightly soft.

✅️4. Make the Sauce:

In a bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar, broth, ketchup, tomato paste, pineapple juice, cornstarch, and salt.

✅️5. Bring It Together:

Pour the sauce into the skillet. Stir until it thickens up a bit. Add the meatballs and pineapple chunks. Simmer everything together for about 10–15 minutes.

👉3 Quick Tips:

▶️1. Short on time? Use frozen meatballs and just make the sauce and veggies from scratch.

▶️2. No pineapple juice? Use a little orange juice or apple juice instead.

▶️3. Leftovers? They taste even better the next day! Just reheat in a pan or microwave.