Say goodbye to frozen meatballs and prepare a speedy, homemade version of Baked Sweet and Sour Meatballs that comes together in 30 minutes or less!
Homemade meatballs are a weekly staple in our household and a dinnertime hit with both of my hungry eaters (that’s my husband and our 17-month-old!).
A quick search for “meatballs” on this site will turn up more than half a dozen variations on these classic spheres of meat.
We have the classic Baked Turkey Meatballs, the handheld Baked Asian Meatball Lettuce Wraps, the takeout-style Baked Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs, and now, completing the lineup (food pun count: 1): Baked Sweet and Sour Meatballs.
So what makes these round delights stand out from their culinary relatives? A lick-the-spatula-and-your-plate homemade sweet and sour sauce that pairs beautifully with the garlicky meatballs but would also work wonderfully over chicken breasts, as a dipping sauce for egg rolls, or simply drizzled over white rice—if that’s your style. #iam
Toss in some fresh pineapple chunks, and you’ll have multiple contenders for President of the Clean Plate Club.
Best part? The meatballs bake at a high temperature, so they’re ready to be tossed in minutes, meaning dinner is on the table in 30 minutes or less. Just add fried rice or lo mein noodles to complete the feast!
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Baked Sweet and Sour Meatballs
For the meatballs
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey, chicken, pork or a combination
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2/3 cup minced yellow onion
- 1large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
For the sauce
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 1 Tablespoon water
- 1 cup diced pineapple
Make the meatballs
Preheat the oven to 500°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish or mini muffin pan with cooking spray.
In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk, then let it sit for 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix together the ground turkey, garlic, onion, egg, salt, pepper, and the breadcrumb mixture, using your hands to combine just until everything is incorporated.
Using your hands, pinch off 2 to 3 tablespoons of the meat mixture and shape it into a ball. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
Bake the meatballs for 12 to 15 minutes, until they are fully cooked. While they bake, prepare the sauce.
Make the sauce
Add the olive oil to a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and cook, stirring, until golden brown.
Whisk in the pineapple juice, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Transfer the cooked meatballs to a large bowl, then add the diced pineapple. Pour the prepared sauce over the top and toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately.
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Nutrition Facts
Baked Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 70 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 2%
Cholesterol 22mg 7%
Sodium 163mg 7%
Potassium 139mg 4%
Total Carbohydrates 7g 2%
Sugars 5g
Protein 7g 14%
Vitamin A 1%
Vitamin C 6.1%
Calcium 1.4%
Iron 2.3%
- Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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