Sweet And Sour Meatballs

Ingredients

Meatballs:

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large onion, shredded or finely chopped
• 2 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Sweet and Sour Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
• ⅓ cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• ¼ cup pineapple juice (from canned pineapple)
• ½ teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt

Main Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• ½ cup pineapple chunks

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meatballs:

   • In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, eggs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
   • Form the mixture into small, golf ball-sized meatballs.

2. Cook the Meatballs:

   • Air Fryer Method: Place meatballs in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 380°F for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
   • Baking Method: Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.

3. Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

   • In a medium bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, brown sugar, chicken broth, ketchup, tomato paste, pineapple juice, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.

4. Prepare the Vegetables:

   • In a large wok or pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and bell peppers. Cook for 1 minute.
   • Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, or until aromatic.

5. Combine Ingredients:

   • Pour the sweet and sour sauce into the wok and stir until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
   • Add cooked meatballs and pineapple chunks. Toss everything together and cook for another 2 minutes.

6. Serve:

   • Serve immediately over rice.

Notes:

• Yield: Approximately 36 meatballs.
• Uniform Meatballs: Use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop for even-sized meatballs.
• Temperature Check: Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F (74°C).
• Spicy Option: Add 1 tablespoon of sriracha to the sauce or stir-fry sliced jalapenos with the vegetables for extra heat.

Enjoy your sweet and sour meatballs! Let me know if you have any questions or need further adjustments.