Sweet and sour meatballs are a delicious and versatile dish, perfect for appetizers, main courses, or party snacks. These meatballs are typically made from ground beef or pork, seasoned and cooked to perfection, then simmered in a vibrant sauce that balances tangy and sweet flavors. The sauce, often made from a combination of vinegar, sugar, and ketchup or pineapple juice, creates a delightful glaze that clings to each meatball, enhancing its savory taste. Whether served over rice, with noodles, or enjoyed on their own, sweet and sour meatballs offer a mouthwatering blend of flavors that are sure to satisfy any palate.
Ingredients
- For the Meatballs:
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 500g (1 lb) pre-made mini meatballs
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper (capsicum), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
- 4 spring onions (scallions), trimmed, green and white parts cut into 3cm (just over 1”) batons
- Steamed rice, to serve
- For the Sweet & Sour Sauce:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice
- ¼ tsp Chinese five spice
- 2 tsp cornflour (cornstarch), mixed with 2 tbsp water
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet & Sour Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the brown sugar, vinegar, tomato ketchup, soy sauce, pineapple juice, and Chinese five spice.
- Simmer for about 5 minutes until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the cornflour mixture to the sauce and simmer for an additional 2 minutes to thicken.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Meatballs and Vegetables
- Heat a clean wok or large frying pan over high heat.
- Add the oil and meatballs. Cook, turning occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until almost cooked through.
- Add the sliced onion and stir-fry for another 2 minutes.
- Add the bell pepper and stir-fry for 1 minute.
- Add the diced pineapple and the prepared sweet & sour sauce. Stir-fry until everything is well combined.
- Remove from heat and toss through the spring onion batons.
Step 3: Serve
- Serve the sweet & sour meatballs with steamed rice.
Recipe Card
Sweet & Sour Meatballs
Sweet and sour meatballs are a delicious and versatile dish, perfect for appetizers, main courses, or party snacks. These meatballs are typically made from ground beef or pork, seasoned and cooked to perfection, then simmered in a vibrant sauce that balances tangy and sweet flavors. The sauce, often made from a combination of vinegar, sugar, and ketchup or pineapple juice, creates a delightful glaze that clings to each meatball, enhancing its savory taste. Whether served over rice, with noodles, or enjoyed on their own, sweet and sour meatballs offer a mouthwatering blend of flavors that are sure to satisfy any palate.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 500 g 1 lb pre-made mini meatballs
- 1 onion sliced
- 1 bell pepper capsicum, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
- 4 spring onions scallions, trimmed, green and white parts cut into 3cm (just over 1”) batons
- Steamed rice to serve
For the Sweet & Sour Sauce:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice
- ¼ tsp Chinese five spice
- 2 tsp cornflour cornstarch, mixed with 2 tbsp water
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet & Sour Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the brown sugar, vinegar, tomato ketchup, soy sauce, pineapple juice, and Chinese five spice.
- Simmer for about 5 minutes until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the cornflour mixture to the sauce and simmer for an additional 2 minutes to thicken.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Meatballs and Vegetables
- Heat a clean wok or large frying pan over high heat.
- Add the oil and meatballs. Cook, turning occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until almost cooked through.
- Add the sliced onion and stir-fry for another 2 minutes.
- Add the bell pepper and stir-fry for 1 minute.
- Add the diced pineapple and the prepared sweet & sour sauce. Stir-fry until everything is well combined.
- Remove from heat and toss through the spring onion batons.
Step 3: Serve
- Serve the sweet & sour meatballs with steamed rice.