This quick and easy take on the Chinese takeaway classic is seriously good, and the homemade sauce is sticky, glossy and utterly gorgeous. I love using fresh pineapple in my sweet and sour sauce to make it fragrant and fabulous, but you can totally use a tinned variety to save time on those busy weeknights.
WATCH THIS RECIPE
Sweet & Sour Meatballs
PREP TIME
10 minutes
COOK TIME
15 minutes
SERVES
4
Ingredients
2 tbsp vegetable oil
500g (1 lb) pre-made mini meatballs
1 onion, sliced
1 capsicum (bell pepper), cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup diced fresh pineapple
4 spring onions (scallions), trimmed, green and white parts cut into 3cm (just over 1”) batons
steamed rice, to serve
Sweet & sour sauce:
½ cup brown sugar
3 tbsp white vinegar
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1/3 cup pineapple juice
¼ tsp Chinese five spice
2 tsp cornflour (cornstarch), mixed with 2 tbsp water
Steps
-
To make the sweet & sour sauce, place the brown sugar, vinegar, tomato ketchup, soy sauce, pineapple juice and Chinese five spice in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Simmer for 5 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved. Add cornflour mixture to the sauce and simmer for a further 2 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat and set aside.
-
Heat a clean wok or large frying pan over high heat. Add the oil and the meatballs and cook, turning every so often, for 4-5 minutes or until almost cooked through. Add the onion and stir-fry for another 2 minutes. Add the capsicum and stir-fry for another minute. Then add the pineapple and the sweet & sour sauce. Stir-fry until well combined. Remove from heat and toss through the spring onion. Serve with steamed rice.
Simple yet amazing
I have made this several times, I do cut the sugar down a bit, and on occasion I will add broccoli and carrots it’s always so good and I get lost of compliments on it when I make it. Do use the low sodium soy sauce or it might be too salty. I made that mistake the first time, 100% my fault
OMG
OMG what a delicious meal. So good in fact, I’m going to cook it again and invite guests over. My mokos (grandchildren) will absolutely love it. It’s quick, tasty and easy as. I’m also going to get super organised making and preserving the sauce…would make nice Xmas gifts. Thanks Marion!
Sweet & sour meat balls.
Delicious,will definitely make again.