Description
Sweet and sour meatballs combine tender ground beef meatballs with a tangy and sweet pineapple-infused sauce, making a perfect comforting main dish that balances savory and fruity flavors. Baked to perfection and served best over rice, this recipe blends American and Asian influences for a crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- ½ cup sweet yellow onion, finely diced
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- 20 ounces pineapple chunks, separate the pineapple chunks and reserve the juice
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce, your favorite brand
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Make the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine lean ground beef, finely diced onion, plain breadcrumbs, whole milk, slightly beaten eggs, kosher salt, and fresh cracked black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape meatballs: Using a 1½-tablespoon scoop, portion the meat mixture and roll each portion into a smooth ball. Place each meatball evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the sweet and sour sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the reserved pineapple juice, BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce, packed brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch until fully combined and smooth.
- Add pineapple and sauce: Evenly distribute the pineapple chunks over the raw meatballs in the baking dish. Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce mixture over everything, ensuring the meatballs are well coated.
- Bake the meatballs: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and the sauce to thicken.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the sweet and sour meatballs hot, ideally over cooked rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For hygiene and safety, wear gloves when mixing and shaping raw meatballs to avoid cross-contamination.
- Use a dedicated meatball scoop clearly marked to prevent cross-contamination risks in the kitchen.
- Oven temperatures can vary; monitor your meatballs closely as they near the suggested cooking time to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
