Description
Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a flavorful, quick meal packed with savory meatballs, colorful peppers, and a tangy homemade sauce. Perfect for a family dinner, these meatballs are easy to make and full of delicious, fresh flavors.
Ingredients
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For the Meatballs:
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1 cup long grain rice, uncooked
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1-1.5 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
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1/2 cup panko bread crumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
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2 large eggs
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1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (omit if sensitive to heat)
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1/2 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp salt
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1 tsp oil (for sautéing peppers)
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1/2 cup yellow onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
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1 small green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
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1 small orange bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
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1/2 cup canned pineapple, diced (save juice for sauce)
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For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
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4 Tbsp rice vinegar
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2 Tbsp soy sauce
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1 cup chicken or beef broth (low sodium)
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1/4 cup brown sugar
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1/3 cup ketchup
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1 Tbsp tomato paste
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1/3 cup pineapple juice
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1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp water (to make slurry)
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Instructions
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Cook Rice:
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Start by cooking rice according to package instructions. It usually takes around 20 minutes.
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Prepare Meatballs:
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In a mixing bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients and form into small golf ball-sized meatballs.
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For air frying: Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined tray and cook at 375ºF for 7 minutes. Flip and cook for another 7-10 minutes.
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For oven baking: Place the meatballs on a cooking sheet and bake at 375ºF for 15 minutes, flip, and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
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Sauté Vegetables:
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In a large wok or pan, heat oil over medium/high heat. Add the onion and bell peppers, cooking for 5-8 minutes until softened.
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Make Sauce:
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In a medium bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients (except the cornstarch slurry). Whisk until well combined. Set aside.
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Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir well. Let the sauce simmer until thick and glossy.
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Combine and Serve:
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Add the cooked meatballs and pineapple chunks to the skillet, tossing everything together. Cook for another 2 minutes to heat the meatballs through.
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Serve over rice and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired.
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Notes
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Serve the meatballs over rice for a complete meal.
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For extra flavor, feel free to garnish with fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg