These homemade meatballs have a wonderful flavor that is perfect as a main dish and ideal for serving alone or on a bed of hot rice.
These sweet and sour meatballs have a wonderfully complex flavor that never fails to be a big crowd pleaser. They are one of my favorite recipes to serve at family get togethers or for the big game.
Once you’ve tried these meatballs, you’ll never go back to frozen ever again. They are that good!
Make sure to save or pin this meatball recipe so you can make again!
When you want the flavor only a homemade meatball recipe can provide, this recipe is well worth the little bit of extra prep time. While the ingredient list may look a little intimidating, don’t worry, each of these ingredients is going to likely provide you with the best tasting sweet and sour meatballs you’ve ever had.
How to Make Homemade Sweet and Sour Pineapple Meatballs
Prep time is right around ten to fifteen minutes and cook time is another five minutes or so. For equipment you will need a large skillet and a medium mixing bowl.
So this is actually a great last minute meal as long as you have all the ingredients. I rarely do, so this recipe is one I tend to whip up for parties and family get togethers.
No matter who you’re serving though, these pineapple meatballs are absolutely delicious and every one is going to love them.
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Pineapple Sweet and Sour Meatballs Ingredients
So, like I was saying, don’t let the amount of ingredients fool you. This is not a complicated recipe, and all these ingredients come together to produce an absolutely wonderful flavor.
Sweet and Sour Pineapple Meatball Ingredient List
- Ground Beef
- Crackers or Breadcrumbs
- Sweet Onion (minced)
- Egg
- Salt
- Ground Ginger
- Milk
- Shortening
- Cornstarch
- Brown Sugar (packed)
- Canned Pineapple Chunks or Tidbits in Syrup
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Soy Sauce
- Green Pepper (cubed)
Ground Beef: Use low fat ground beef.
Cornstarch: This is a thickener for our meatball sauce. You can use an alternative thickener such as tapioca flour or all-purpose flour. Don’t use gelatin for your meatballs.
Brown Sugar: I prefer light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar will work in a pinch. Make sure to pack your brown sugar when measuring.
Pineapple: Chunks or tidbits work well in this recipe. Make sure to use pineapple in syrup as we will be using that syrup for our sauce.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This is our acid, and it helps bring out all the other flavors in our meatballs. If you are all out, you can use white distilled vinegar if you are all out of apple cider vinegar.
Green Pepper: For even more spice, you can opt for a spicy pepper. Whichever you use, make sure to cube them at about 1 inch.
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Sweet and Sour Meatball Step by Step Recipe Instructions
So you’re going to be pleasantly surprised with how simple this homemade meatball recipe actually is. In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to find an easier recipe that offers this level of flavor.
And there is no doubt that there are quicker recipes, but these meatballs are for those looking to truly be impressed by the flavor.
So, let’s get all your ingredients together and start cooking!
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, add your ground beef, breadcrumbs, salt, egg, onion, and milk. Work your ingredients together by hand and then shape them into 1″ diameter balls.
Step 2: Bring your skillet to medium heat and melt your shortening.
Step 3: Add your meatballs to your skillet and brown them.
Step 4: Remove meatballs and set aside and drain excess grease from skillet.
Note: Keep meatballs warm by keeping them in a covered container.
Step 5: In mixing bowl, add cornstarch and brown sugar. Stir in pineapple syrup (not pineapple yet), vinegar, and soy sauce until your mixture is smooth.
Step 6: Pour mixture into skillet and bring to medium heat.
Step 7: Stir over heat for one minute.
Step 8: Add pineapple, green pepper, and meatballs to skillet and heat through
Note: Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs are done. Meatballs are done when beef is 160 degrees fahrenheit.
Step 9: Serve immediately and enjoy!
Sweet And Sour Meatballs With Pineapple
Equipment
- 1 Large Skillet
- 2 Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs Ground Beef
- ⅔ Cups Breadcrumbs or Crushed Crackers
- ⅓ Cup Sweet Onion minced
- 1 Large Egg beaten
- 1½ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Ground Ginger
- ¼ Cup Milk
- 1 Tbs Shortening
- 2 Tbs Cornstarch
- ½ Cup Brown Sugar packed
- 1 13½ oz Can Pineapple Chunks in Syrup drained, keep syrup
- ⅓ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tbs Soy Sauce
- ½ Cup Green Pepper cubed
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add your ground beef, breadcrumbs, salt, egg, onion, and milk. Work your ingredients together by hand and then shape them into 1" diameter balls.
- Bring your skillet to medium heat and melt your shortening.
- Add your meatballs to your skillet and brown them.
- Remove meatballs and set aside and drain excess grease from skillet.
- Note: Keep meatballs warm by keeping them in a covered container.
- In mixing bowl, add cornstarch and brown sugar. Stir in pineapple syrup (not pineapple yet), vinegar, and soy sauce until your mixture is smooth.
- Pour mixture into skillet and bring to medium heat.
- Stir over heat for one minute.
- Add pineapple, green pepper, and meatballs to skillet and heat through.
- Note: Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs are done. Meatballs are done when beef is 160 degrees fahrenheit.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition
Sweet and Sour Meatball Recipe Notes
- For a spicier meatball, use your favorite spicy pepper instead of green pepper.
- Make sure to heat your meatballs all the way through.
- Serve your meatballs over a bed of rice or just as they are.
- Store your meatballs in a sealed container in your refrigerator for up to three days.