Why You’ll Love These Sweet and Sour Meatballs ❤️
Still on the fence? Here’s why this Sweet and Sour Meatballs needs to be on your dinner rotation:
✅ Quick & Easy – Ready in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
✅ Budget-Friendly – Uses affordable ingredients, keeping costs low while still tasting amazing.
✅ Takeaway Vibes at Home – The combination of sweet, tangy, and savoury is exactly what you’d expect from your favourite Chinese restaurant.
✅ Family-Approved – Kids and adults alike will love the glossy, flavour-packed sauce!
✅ Great for Meal Prep – Make extra and enjoy leftovers the next day.
The Secret to the Best Sweet and Sour Meatballs 🔥
Making restaurant-quality sweet and sour meatballs at home is easier than you think! Here are my top tips to ensure the best results every time:
1. Use Good-Quality Meatballs 🍖
You can absolutely use store-bought meatballs to save time, but if you’re feeling fancy, homemade meatballs are next level. I recommend a mix of beef and pork mince for extra juiciness.
2. Fresh Pineapple = Next Level Flavour 🍍
Canned pineapple works great (and keeps this recipe budget-friendly), but if you have fresh pineapple on hand, chop it up and use that instead! The natural sweetness and slight tartness of fresh pineapple make the sauce even better.
3. Balance the Sauce Perfectly 🥢
The key to that classic sweet and sour taste is getting the balance of sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce just right. Too much sugar makes it overly sweet, and too much vinegar makes it too tangy—this recipe has the perfect harmony of flavours.
4. Don’t Skip the Cornflour! 🌽
Cornflour (aka cornstarch) is what thickens the sauce into that luscious, glossy coating that clings to the meatballs. Make sure to mix it with a bit of pineapple juice before adding it to avoid lumps.
Serving Suggestions – What to Eat with Sweet and Sour Meatballs 🍚
These sweet and sour meatballs are delicious on their own, but here’s how I love to serve them for a complete meal:
- Steamed Jasmine Rice – The fluffy rice soaks up the extra sauce beautifully.
- Fried Rice – If you’ve got leftover rice, toss it in a pan with some egg, veggies, and soy sauce for a quick side.
- Stir-Fried Veggies – Add extra greens like broccoli, snow peas, or bok choy for a nutritious boost.
🍜 Noodles – Serve over hokkien or egg noodles for a fun twist.
How to Store & Reheat Sweet and Sour Meatballs 🥡
One of the best things about this dish is that it stores beautifully, making it perfect for leftovers.
Refrigerate ❄️
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze 🧊
Yes, you can freeze sweet and sour meatballs! Let them cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Reheat 🔥
To reheat, simply microwave in short bursts, stirring in between, or gently warm in a pan over low heat. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water to loosen it up.
Other Easy Dinners to Try 🍽️
If you love this recipe, here are some more budget-friendly, easy dinners that will hit the spot:
- Creamy Mushroom and Bacon Risoni You’ll Love
- Ginger Chicken Fried Rice for a Quick & Easy Dinner!
- Cajun Prawn Pasta – The Ultimate Creamy & Spicy Dinner!
- Beef Raman Noodles You’ll Want Every Night!
- Bacon and Pea Pasta: A Budget-Friendly Comfort Bowl
- Chicken Enchiladas: A Cheesy, Flavour-Packed Dinner for Under $20!
Let me know which one you try next! 😍
Final Thoughts – Let’s Get Cooking! 🍴
There you have it—a budget-friendly, flavour-packed dinner that tastes just like your favourite takeaway, all for around $20! Whether you’re cooking for the family, meal prepping, or just craving something delicious, these sweet and sour meatballs will hit the spot.
If you make this recipe, I’d LOVE to see your creation! Snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @steph_cooks_stuff 📸🍽️
Enjoy, and happy cooking! ❤️👩🍳
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Day 8 of easy dinners for around $20: Sweet and Sour Meatballs You’ll Love!
Who doesn’t love a quick and easy dinner that tastes like a takeaway? These sweet and sour meatballs are bursting with flavour, come together in no time, and will have everyone reaching for seconds. Perfect for busy weeknights, and even better served with a big bowl of fluffy steamed rice. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
Instructions
In a hot pan, brown your meatballs until golden.
Add the onion, and capsicum, and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften.
In a separate bowl, mix together the brown sugar, vinegar, tomato sauce, soy sauce, pineapple juice, Chinese five spice, and cornflour.
Pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the drained pineapple pieces, stirring well. Cook for a few minutes until the sauce is bubbling hot and thickened to perfection.
Serve with steamed rice and watch it disappear from plates!
This recipe is quick, budget-friendly, and a total crowd-pleaser. Give it a try tonight – your taste buds will thank you!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Pan-fried and simmered
- Cuisine: This dish is inspired by Chinese-American cuisine, particularly the popular sweet and sour dishes. It's a simplified, home-style version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can swap meatballs for chicken breast, pork strips, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Use gluten-free soy sauce and check that your tomato sauce and other ingredients are GF-friendly. You can also use cornstarch as a thickener since it’s naturally gluten-free!
Yes! Brown the meatballs first, then add everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours. The sauce will thicken as it cooks, but if needed, add a bit more cornflour mixed with water before serving.