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Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

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4 from 2 reviews

These Sweet and Sour Meatballs feature tender, flavorful beef meatballs cooked to perfection and tossed in a luscious homemade sweet and sour sauce with vibrant bell peppers, pineapple chunks, and aromatic garlic and onions. Ready in just 30 minutes, they make a delightful family-friendly meal that can be air fried or baked for a healthier twist.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

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

Vegetables and Additional 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

  1. Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, shredded onion, eggs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are incorporated. Form the mixture into small, golf ball-sized meatballs.
  2. Cook the meatballs: Place the meatballs into the basket of your air fryer and cook at 380°F (193°C) for 10 minutes, shaking halfway through to ensure even cooking. Alternatively, you can bake the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a preheated 400°F (204°C) oven for 20 to 25 minutes until cooked through.
  3. Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, brown sugar, chicken broth, ketchup, tomato paste, pineapple juice, cornstarch, and salt until smooth. Set the mixture aside.
  4. Cook the vegetables: Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and bell peppers, cooking for about 1 minute. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add in the sauce and thicken: Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce into the wok with the vegetables. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, coating the vegetables nicely.
  6. Add meatballs and pineapple: Gently add the cooked meatballs and pineapple chunks to the wok. Toss everything together carefully to combine the flavors and cook for another 2 minutes to heat through.
  7. Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately over cooked rice to enjoy a complete meal.

Notes

  • For a healthier alternative, opt for lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey or chicken.
  • The meatballs can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before cooking.
  • If you don’t have an air fryer, baking is an excellent method with similar results.
  • Adjust the sweetness or tanginess of the sauce by modifying the amount of brown sugar or rice vinegar according to your taste.
  • Serve with steamed white or brown rice, or even noodles for variation.
  • Author: Monica
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American-Chinese

Find it online: https://monicarecipes.com/sweet-and-sour-meatballs-recipe/