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sweet and sour meatballs

Cookingbear avatar
Recipe by
Linda Tennant
@Cookingbear
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

When looking for a sweet and sour sauce at the store the other day, I noticed there are a lot of preservatives in the store bought variety. I thought that I might be able to make something similar to it at home. This is my very first recipe that I have made by myself. My family said that they enjoyed it. The awesome thing is that I didn't think that I could create my own recipe, but here it is. I hope that you enjoy it too.

yield serving(s)
prep time 30 Min
cook time 15 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For sweet and sour meatballs

  • 1 1/2 lb
    ground beef, turkey, or chicken
  • 1/2
    green bell pepper, cut into 1" pieces
  • 1/2
    red bell pepper, cut into 1" pieces
  • 1 md
    onion, chopped into 1-2 " pieces
  • 1/3 c
    cider vinegar
  • 1/4 c
    soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp
    prepared mustard - not dry mustard
  • 1/4 c
    cornstarch
  • 1/4 c
    water
  • 3 Tbsp
    tomato paste - about 1/2 of a small can
  • 1 can
    pineapple chunks drained, with juice set aside
  • 1 Tbsp
    grape jelly
  • 1./2 tsp
    crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 Tbsp
    honey
  • 1/8 tsp
    california chili pepper, it's fairly mild
  • 1/3 c
    brown sugar
  • 1/3 c
    granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp
    garlic powder

How To Make sweet and sour meatballs

  • 1
    Brown meat lightly in a dutch oven or frying pan. Drain, and set aside. In a large saucepan, place the bell peppers and onion. Add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, if desired. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are almost cooked, about 15 minutes. Reduce heat. To that mixture add: cider vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, sugar, mustard, garlic powder, honey, tomato paste, and grape jelly. Add the pineapple. Cook in saucepan until sauce thickens . If it becomes too thick, add pineapple juice. Add meat. Combine cornstarch with cold water, stirring well until smooth. Add cornstarch and vegetables to the pot. Cook in a preheated 350 degree oven for about an hour. You can also put it in a crock pot and slow cook it. (great for people that work).
  • 2
    I served this with coconut rice. Follow package directions and just use coconut milk instead of the water.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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