Description
Sweet and sour meatballs, a quick and delightful dish perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Ground Beef (Can substitute with ground chicken or turkey.)
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs (Panko for lighter texture.)
- 1 large Egg (Flaxseed meal mixed with water as a vegan alternative.)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (Fresh minced garlic can enhance flavor.)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- 1/4 cup Rice Vinegar (Apple cider vinegar can work in a pinch.)
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar (Adjust to suit your taste.)
- 1 cup Chicken Broth (Low sodium recommended; use vegetable broth for vegetarian.)
- 1/2 cup Ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 1/2 cup Pineapple Juice (Juice from canned pineapple is recommended.)
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil (Olive oil can be used as a substitute.)
- 1 cup Bell Peppers (Mix of red and green, can use other sweet varieties.)
- 1 cup Onions (Diced and shredded.)
- 1 cup Pineapple Chunks (Canned pineapple makes for easy preparation.)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined and shape into golf ball-sized meatballs.
- Place the meatballs in an air fryer preheated to 380°F and cook for 10 minutes, or bake them on a lined sheet in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, until they’re golden brown.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, brown sugar, chicken broth, ketchup, tomato paste, pineapple juice, and cornstarch until smooth and well mixed.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion and bell peppers for about 1 minute until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet, stirring until thickened, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the pineapple chunks and the cooked meatballs, tossing to coat everything in the rich sauce.
- Allow the meatballs to cook in the sauce for an extra 2 minutes, then serve hot over a bed of fluffy rice or noodles for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying or Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: Sweet Sour Meatballs