Irresistible Sweet and Tangy Meatballs Recipe for Family Dinners

Sizzling with flavor, these sweet and tangy meatballs dance between savory and zesty notes that instantly wake up your taste buds.

Every bite of this delectable sweet and tangy meatballs recipe promises a culinary adventure that surprises and delights.

Tender meat mingles with a glaze that packs a punch of rich complexity.

The combination of ingredients creates a harmonious blend that makes these meatballs irresistible at dinner tables or as party appetizers.

Perfectly seasoned and generously coated, these meatballs bring excitement to any meal.

You’ll love how quickly they come together and how effortlessly they become the star of your dining experience.

Grab your skillet and get ready to impress with this mouthwatering dish that everyone will be asking about.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 196 kcal

Servings: 9

Sweet & Tangy Meatball Ingredient List

• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel sweetness and helps balance tangy flavors.
• Rice Vinegar: Provides bright, sharp acidity to enhance overall taste profile.
• Ketchup: Delivers rich tomato undertones and natural thickness.
• Chili Sauce: Introduces gentle heat and complex spicy dimension.
• Soy Sauce: Contributes umami depth and salty complexity.
• Pineapple Juice: Infuses tropical brightness and natural sweetness.

• Cornstarch: Creates smooth, glossy sauce texture without lumps.
• Cold Water: Helps dissolve cornstarch evenly and prevent clumping.

• Frozen Meatballs: Convenient protein base that absorbs sauce beautifully.
• Pineapple Tidbits: Adds fresh, juicy bursts of tropical sweetness and texture.

• Green Onions: Provides fresh, crisp onion flavor and vibrant color contrast.

• Rice: Neutral base that soaks up delicious sauce perfectly.

Tools to Make Saucy Meatballs Without Fuss

• Large Skillet: Essential for making the sauce and cooking meatballs evenly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending sauce ingredients smoothly and preventing lumps.
• Small Cup: Needed to mix cornstarch slurry without clumping.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cutting Board: Useful for chopping green onions and pineapple.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise chopping of garnishes.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients gently.
• Serving Dish: Ideal for presenting meatballs over rice or as an appetizer.

How to Make Sweet and Tangy Meatballs Fast

• Sauce Creation

Grab a large skillet and mix together a delightful blend of brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, chili sauce, soy sauce, and pineapple juice. Bring this zesty concoction to a bubbling boil over medium-high heat.

• Sauce Transformation

Create a magical thickening potion by dissolving cornstarch in cold water. Slowly whisk this mixture into the boiling sauce, stirring continuously until it transforms into a luscious, velvety consistency.

• Meatball Bath

Gently drop frozen meatballs into the silky sauce, making sure they’re completely covered. Lower the heat and let them simmer under a cozy lid for about 10 minutes until they’re heated through and bursting with flavor.

• Pineapple Surprise

Sprinkle in vibrant pineapple tidbits, giving the dish a tropical twist. Stir gently to distribute these sweet golden nuggets throughout the sauce.

• Serving Sensations

Plate the saucy meatballs over a fluffy bed of rice or keep them warm for a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh green onions for an extra pop of color and freshness.

Tips to Adjust Sweetness or Spice

• Add a kick of heat by incorporating red pepper flakes, sriracha, or diced jalapeños into the sauce for those who enjoy a spicier twist on this sweet and tangy dish.
• Prepare the sauce and meatballs in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before serving to maintain the sauce's consistency and meatballs' moisture.
• Transform this recipe into a versatile dish by serving over noodles, tucking into slider buns, or using as a delicious topping for cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little extra pineapple juice or water. Conversely, if it's too thin, continue simmering or add a touch more cornstarch slurry to achieve the perfect glaze.

Serve Your Meatballs for Weeknight or Party

• Elevate Your Meatball Presentation: Serve these sweet and tangy meatballs over fluffy white rice for a complete meal that'll wow your dinner guests.
• Create a Party Platter: Arrange the meatballs in a slow cooker or chafing dish for easy buffet-style serving at gatherings, keeping them warm and delicious throughout the event.
• Garnish with Fresh Flair: Sprinkle chopped green onions on top for a pop of color and a mild, fresh onion kick that complements the rich, sweet sauce perfectly.
• Make Sandwich Sliders: Tuck the meatballs into mini slider buns for a fun, handheld appetizer that'll be a hit at game day parties or casual get-togethers.

Storing Meatballs and Sauce Separately

• Refrigerate Quickly: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Maximize Freshness: Keep refrigerated meatballs for 3-4 days, ensuring they remain sealed and chilled at 40°F or below for optimal taste and safety.
• Smart Freezing Technique: Pack cooled meatballs in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen meatballs will stay delicious for up to 3 months.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated or thawed meatballs in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly and maintain sauce consistency.

Succulent Meatballs Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Scrumptious sweet and tangy meatballs delight palates with bold Mediterranean flavors. Hearty protein mingles with zesty sauce, creating a memorable dish you cannot resist savoring.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 32 oz (907 g) frozen meatballs
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 2 cups (480 ml) pineapple juice
• ½ cup (120 ml) rice vinegar
• 1 cup (160 g) pineapple tidbits, chopped
• ¼ cup (60 ml) ketchup
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) low sodium soy sauce
• 4 tbsps (60 ml) chili sauce
• 2 tbsps (16 g) cornstarch
• ¼ cup (60 ml) cold water
• Rice
• Chopped green onions

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Combine brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, chili sauce, soy sauce, and pineapple juice in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk vigorously until the mixture reaches a rolling boil.
2. Cornstarch Integration: Dissolve cornstarch in cold water, then slowly pour into the boiling sauce. Stir continuously until the sauce transforms into a glossy, thickened consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
3. Meatball Infusion: Submerge frozen meatballs completely in the developed sauce. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover the skillet, and allow meatballs to heat thoroughly for 10 minutes, ensuring even cooking and flavor absorption.
4. Final Touches: Gently fold in pineapple tidbits, stirring to distribute evenly. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to marry the flavors and warm the fruit. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped green onions for a burst of color and freshness.
5. Serving Suggestion: Serve piping hot over steamed rice or as a standalone appetizer. The meatballs should be glazed with a vibrant, tangy sauce that glistens and promises a delightful culinary experience.

Notes

• Sauce Intensity Control: Adjust chili sauce quantity to match your preferred spice level, preventing overwhelming heat while maintaining flavor complexity.
• Cornstarch Precision: Mix cornstarch with cold water thoroughly to eliminate lumps, ensuring a silky-smooth sauce texture without unwanted clumps.
• Meatball Heating Strategy: Use low-medium heat during simmering to prevent sauce scorching and guarantee even, gentle meatball warming without compromising tenderness.
• Pineapple Timing Trick: Add pineapple tidbits during the final 3-4 minutes of cooking to preserve fruit integrity and prevent mushiness while maintaining vibrant tropical notes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 196
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg