Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These Sweet and Sour Meatballs are the perfect blend of tangy, savory, and sweet flavors, making them a versatile dish for any occasion. Juicy meatballs are coated in a glossy pineapple-based sour sauce with just the right balance of vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar which gives them so much flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

• Freezer to table in 25 minutes. No rolling and just one skillet to wash.
• About $2 a serving. The whole skillet costs about $12.37, which is less than one takeout entree for most families.
• Dinner or party food. Spoon them over rice for a weeknight meal, or set them out with toothpicks for game day.
• Simple pantry sauce. Brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and pineapple juice. No bottled sauce or grape jelly needed.

This family-friendly recipe comes together in about 25 minutes. If you have made our Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs then you are going to love this stovetop recipe.

Another meatball recipe that my kids love, is this Chicken Meatballs. It is simple and easily bakes in the oven.

Ingredients

• Brown Sugar – If you are out, see The Best Brown Sugar Substitutes
• Rice Vinegar – See The Best Substitutes for Rice Vinegar
• Ketchup – You can make Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe
• Minced Garlic – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
• Low Sodium Soy Sauce – If you are out, see Best Soy Sauce Substitute
• Frozen Meatballs – One 24 to 28 ounce bag of fully cooked meatballs. Beef, turkey, or chicken all work. Homestyle or plain meatballs are the best match for this sauce.
• Cornstarch – Helps to thicken the sauce
• Pineapple Chunks in juice – Choose pineapple packed in juice, not heavy syrup, because the juice goes right into the sauce.
• Bell Peppers – One red and one yellow, cut into 1-inch pieces so they’re easy to scoop up with a meatball (and easy for picky eaters to push aside). Green bell peppers work too and often the least expensive.
• Green Onions – Optional Topping

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.

How to Make Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Step 1 – Add the brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, minced garlic, soy sauce, pineapple juice from the can of pineapple and water to a large skillet. Whisk to combine the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a low boil.

Step 2 – Add the meatballs to the pan. Stir to combine. Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes until the meatballs are heated through.

Step 3 – Stir in the bell peppers, cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until the peppers are tender.

Step 4 – Combine cornstarch slurry in a small bowl. Pour this mixture and the pineapple into the pan. Simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Step 5 – Remove from heat (the sauce will thicken more as it cools). Serve as is or over rice, topped with the green onions, and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Sauce

• Sauce too thin? Simmer for another minute or add a little more cornstarch slurry.
• Sauce too thick? Stir in a splash of water or pineapple juice
• Adjust the flavor. Add a little vinegar if it is too sweet or brown sugar if it is too tangy.
• Add heat. Stir in red pepper flakes or drizzle with sriracha.
• For picky eaters. Cut the peppers into larger pieces or leave them out.

What to Serve with Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These sweet and sour meatballs are great to serve as an appetizer or you can serve as a main dish recipe.

We usually serve these meatballs over Instant pot White Rice Recipe or Microwave Brown Rice with a side of Teriyaki Vegetables for a complete meal idea.