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For those who love flavorful and effortless meals, skillet sweet and sour meatballs are a must-try. This classic dish combines juicy meatballs with a tangy sauce made with bell peppers and pineapple. This foolproof recipe always delivers fall-apart tender and juicy meatballs. The balanced flavors work so well together. Serve these steaming meatballs in sweet and sour sauce with all your favorite sides. This easy dinner recipe (that’s ready in less than 30 minutes) is packed with flavor and is kid-approved!
This recipe for skillet sweet and sour meatballs will make you fall in love with its beautifully balanced sauce and outrageously tender meaty texture.
If you love this meatball recipe, try my skillet breakfast recipe, this smoked sausage and potato skillet, and this cheesy chicken and bell pepper recipe.
Why You’ll Love It
Effortless prep: These homemade meatballs are quick to make with minimal cleanup – ideal for busy weeknights.
One-skillet meal: Cook and serve everything in one pan.
Crowd-pleaser: A dish kids and adults love – the perfect family comfort food.
Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pineapple juice: Provides a tangy sweetness that forms the base of the sauce.
Brown sugar: Adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness to balance the tanginess.
Ketchup: Contributes to the sauce’s sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
BBQ Sauce: Adds a smoky, savory depth to the sauce.
Rice vinegar: Imparts a mild acidity that brings out the sweet and sour profile.
Chili sauce: Gives a touch of heat and complexity to the sauce.
Low-sodium soy sauce: Adds a savory umami flavor while keeping sodium levels in check.
Cornstarch: Used as a thickening agent to give the sauce the perfect texture.
Frozen meatballs: A convenient protein option that will soak up the flavorful sauce.
Bell peppers: Adds a crisp, slightly bitter note and vibrant color. Get a mix of yellow, red, and green bell pepper.
Pineapple chunks: Adds the yummiest taste to the sweet and sour meatball sauce.
How to Make Sweet ‘n Sour Meatballs
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the sauce: In a pan, mix pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, BBQ sauce, rice vinegar, chili sauce, water, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
Bake the meatballs: Arrange the meatballs in an oven-safe skillet or pan. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Add sauce and simmer: Pour the homemade sauce over the skillet sweet and sour meatballs. Mix the peppers and pineapple in with the cooking meatballs, then simmer over medium-high heat for 10 minutes.
Substitutions and Variations
Meat options: Swap ground beef or another kind of ground meat like pork, ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative.
Sauce adjustments: Use apple juice or orange juice instead of pineapple juice, and adjust the sweetness or tanginess with extra sugar or vinegar. Use apple cider vinegar instead of rice vinegar if you need an alternative.
Spice it up: For a spicy kick, add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Veggie additions: Incorporate additional vegetables like snap peas, carrots, or broccoli for extra crunch and nutrition.
Gluten-free: Substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to keep it gluten-free.
Other flavor add-ins: Add fresh minced garlic (or garlic powder) to the sauce recipe, ginger, fresh herbs and so on.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Start with jalapeno dip with veggie sticks or crackers. Start with smoked cream cheese or spicy shrimp.
Main: Serve these meatballs in their skillet with sides like steamed rice, noodles, or vegetables.
Dessert: End with limoncello tiramisu or creme brulee cheesecake.
How to Store Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Store: Leftovers sweet sour meatballs can be cooled and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer: May be frozen for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Place frozen meatballs in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. For quicker thawing, use the defrost setting on your microwave.
Reheat: Warm the baked sweet and sour meatballs in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until hot.
Top Tips
Make homemade meatballs: Combine the meat with bread crumbs, eggs, and seasonings until well blended into a DIY meatball mixture.
Chill before cooking: Refrigerate the meatballs for about 30 minutes before baking or frying to help them hold their shape.
Balance the sauce: Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of your sauce by tasting and tweaking it with extra sugar or vinegar as needed.
Skillet Meatballs FAQs
A heavy-duty skillet or cast-iron pan works best for even cooking and a nice sear on the meatballs.
Avoid overmixing the meat mixture, and ensure you don’t cook them too long.
Absolutely! You can prepare and cook the meatballs beforehand, then store them in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat them gently in the sauce when ready to serve.
Yes! Taste the sauce and adjust the balance by adding more sugar for sweetness or more vinegar for tanginess, according to your preference.
Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatball Recipe
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Cups pineapple juice
- ½ Cup brown sugar
- ½ Cup ketchup
- ½ Cup BBQ sauce
- ½ Cup rice vinegar
- ¼ Cup chili sauce
- ¼ Cup water
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce, low sodium
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 Pounds meatballs, frozen
- 1 green bell pepper, large, cut into ½-inch pieces
- ½ red bell pepper, large, cut into ½-inch pieces
- ½ yellow bell pepper, large, cut into ½ inch pieces
- 1 Cup pineapple chunks, small, drained or fresh pineapple, cut into small pieces
- 2 Tablespoons green onion, or parsley, for garnish
- rice, for serving, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine the pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, BBQ sauce, rice vinegar, chili sauce, water, soy sauce, and cornstarch together in a pan and simmer for 5 minutes until it begins to thicken.
- Place the meatballs into a cast iron skillet or other oven safe pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes until browned. Stir after 10 minutes.
- Remove and pour the sauce over the meatballs. Stir in the peppers and pineapple and simmer over medium high heat for 10 minutes.
- Serve with a sprinkle of onion or parsley over rice.
Notes
Chill before cooking: Refrigerate the meatballs for about 30 minutes before baking or frying to help them hold their shape.
Balance the sauce: Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of your sauce by tasting and tweaking it with extra sugar or vinegar as needed.
Nutrition
For a delicious and easy meal, a skillet sweet and sour meatballs recipe is a must-try. This classic dish pairs juicy meatballs with a tangy sauce featuring bell peppers and pineapple. The slow cooker method turns our meatballs that are tender and flavorful. The blend of flavors makes this dish a winner. Serve these hot meatballs in sweet and sour sauce alongside your favorite sides.
Other Meatball Recipes To Try
- Nothing can be simpler than easy and quick sheet pan meatballs for a midweek dinner table.
- Dip into this recipe for my Italian wedding soup with meatballs and ALL the best Italian flavors.
- Make air fryer meatballs with marinara sauce and spaghetti for an all-time family favorite.
- This beef and pork Swedish meatball recipe has the loveliest light cream sauce.
- Try this one-pot meatball pasta with yummy Mediterranean flavors you’ll love.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
These meatballs were a hit at dinner! The tangy sauce is perfect. My family wants more of this!