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Sweet and Sour Meatballs

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These sweet and sour meatballs are a fast and flavorful takeout-style dinner with juicy meatballs, vibrant bell peppers, and fresh pineapple tossed in a homemade sweet and tangy sauce. Served over rice, it’s a quick and satisfying family favorite.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 400–500g mini meatballs (pre-cooked)
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 1 large bell pepper (capsicum), chopped
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
  • 2–3 spring onions, cut into batons
  • Steamed rice, for serving
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp white vinegar
  • 4 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • ½ cup pineapple juice
  • ¼ tsp Chinese five spice
  • 1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp water

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, pineapple juice, and Chinese five spice. Heat over medium-high until the sugar dissolves and sauce simmers.
  2. Stir in the cornflour slurry and cook until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Heat vegetable oil in a wok over high heat. Add the mini meatballs and sear for 4–5 minutes, turning to brown all sides.
  4. Add sliced onions and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
  5. Add chopped bell peppers and stir-fry for 1 minute to retain crispness.
  6. Add diced pineapple and pour in the prepared sweet and sour sauce. Toss everything to coat and heat until bubbling.
  7. Stir in spring onions, remove from heat, and serve hot over steamed rice.

Notes

  • Fresh pineapple gives the best flavor, but canned pineapple in juice can be used as a substitute.
  • For vegetarian or gluten-free options, substitute with plant-based meatballs and gluten-free soy sauce.
  • Jasmine rice pairs perfectly, but any steamed rice can be used.
  • Sauce can be prepared in advance and frozen separately for convenience.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/sweet-and-sour-meatballs/