Sweet and sour meatballs are the answer when you crave bold flavors in a cozy bowl. The glossy sauce hits every note from tangy to sweet, coating juicy meatballs and crisp-tender veggies. This is the dish I reach for on busy nights when I want takeout vibes without leaving home.
I first set out to make this after running out of takeout options on a rainy weeknight. The fresh pineapple makes it so much better than anything delivered and now it is officially in our family’s comfort food hall of fame.
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil: gives a neutral base for frying and crisping up the meatballs
- Pre-made mini meatballs: save time and offer a tender bite go for a quality brand
- Onion: sliced for sweetness and texture look for firm onions with tight skins
- Capsicum or bell pepper: brings lively color and crunch pick peppers that feel heavy for their size
- Fresh pineapple: adds juicy sweetness select pineapple that smells fragrant at the stem
- Spring onions or scallions: add fresh peppery bite and color use both white and green parts
- Steamed rice to serve: soaks up every drop of sauce
- Brown sugar: in the sauce balances the acids use soft moist sugar
- White vinegar: adds bright tang in the sauce regular distilled vinegar works best
- Tomato ketchup: lends richness and a tomato base choose a low-sugar option if preferred
- Light soy sauce: brings savory depth to the dish look for naturally brewed for best flavor
- Pineapple juice: doubles down on tropical flavor use the juice from your fresh pineapple if possible
- Chinese five spice: adds a subtle warm spice note sniff before buying and pick the most fragrant you can find
- Cornflour or cornstarch: thickens the sauce for that perfect glossy coat check it is not lumpy before using
Instructions
- Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
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