This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Our recipe for Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs is a delicious family-friendly dinner option! Featuring turkey meatballs simmered in a tangy, pineapple-based sweet and sour sauce. This dish can be made in under 30 minutes, and it’s great served over rice or noodles.
Serve these sweet and sour meatballs with steamed white or brown rice, fried rice, or lo mein noodles. Add a side of stir-fried veggies or an Asian-style salad to complete the meal.
5 Things That Make Or Break Your Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Use fully cooked meatballs: Whether homemade or frozen, make sure they are fully cooked before adding to the sauce for the best texture.
- Balance the sauce: Taste and adjust the sweet and sour sauce with extra vinegar for tang or sugar for sweetness if needed.
- Cook the peppers until they are crisp-tender: Don’t overcook; you want them to retain their bite.
- Stir constantly while thickening: This prevents lumps when the cornstarch slurry is added.
- Simmer gently: Keep the heat moderate so the sauce stays glossy and the meatballs don’t dry out.
RECIPE WALK-THROUGH
How To Make Sweet and Sour Meatballs
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
This recipe is pretty simple to whip together, but these small details will help you get the best results possible. Think of this section like me cooking alongside you in the kitchen.
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Drain the pineapple chunks, reserving the juice. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make a slurry.
- A cornstarch slurry will settle after a couple of minutes in the bowl. Make sure to give it another whisk right before adding it to the sauce when the time comes.
Step 2: Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce
Measure one cup of pineapple juice and pour it into a large skillet over medium heat. Next, whisk in the rice vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Bring the sauce to a slow simmer.
Step 3: Thicken the Sauce
Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- If the sauce winds up a little thicker than you prefer, you can add a little more pineapple juice or a bit of water to help thin it out.
Step 4: Add the Meatballs and Vegetables
Add the pineapple chunks, green pepper, and your fully cooked meatballs to the skillet. Stir to coat everything in the sauce.
Step 5: Simmer and Serve
Simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are heated through. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
More Meatball Recipes To Try
- Spicy Barbecue Grape Jelly Meatballs – Juicy meatballs coated in a sweet and spicy barbecue grape jelly sauce that’s perfect for parties or game day.
- Meatballs and Gravy – Tender meatballs simmered in a rich brown gravy served over mashed potatoes or noodles for the ultimate comfort food.
- Easy Meatball Sliders – Mini sandwiches made with saucy meatballs, melty cheese, and soft slider rolls ready in just 20 minutes.
Best Sweet and Sour Meatball Toppings
- Fresh Garnishes: Add sliced green onions, cilantro, or Thai basil.
- Crunch Factor: Toasted sesame seeds or chopped peanuts add texture and big flavor to the final dish!
- Extra Heat: There’s almost nothing that a drizzle of sriracha or shake red pepper flakes can’t improve!
What To Serve With Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs
These meatballs are great with a number of different sides, but here are some of my favorites!
- Fried Rice will add a little more protein to the meal, and is perfect with these meatballs. It is one of our family’s favorite sides!
- Our Asian Cucumber Salad is refreshingly crunchy and balances the sweet and tangy flavors.
- This Pan Fried Noodles recipe is a great base to serve under these meatballs!
Storage Tips
Storing, Freezing, and Leftovers
Make-Ahead: The sauce can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for 2–3 days, then reheated with the meatballs.
Fridge: Store leftover meatballs with sweet and sour sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezer: To freeze, place meatballs with the sauce in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and heat on the stove.
Reheat: Reheat in a pan on the stove or in the microwave for individual portions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, beef, chicken, or even pork meatballs all work with sweet and sour sauce.
If it thickens too much, whisk in a splash of water or chicken broth to thin it out.
Yes, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and check that your meatballs are gluten-free.
Absolutely! Make sure they are fully cooked before simmering in the sauce.
More Asian-Inspired Recipes You’ll Love
- Teriyaki Turkey Lettuce Wraps
- Egg Drop Soup
- Coconut Rice
- Kung Pao Shrimp
- Hibachi Chicken & Vegetables
Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 20 ounces Pineapple chunks juice reserved
- 3 tablespoons Rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup Water
- 3 tablespoons Cornstarch
- 30 Fully cooked meatballs Your favorite recipe or frozen
- 1 Large green pepper, seeded and membranes removed cut into 1-inch pieces
- Garnishes: thinly sliced green onions, sesame seeds
Instructions
- Drain pineapple and set aside, reserving the juice. Whisk together ⅓ cup water and 3 tablespoons cornstarch in a small bowl and set aside.
- Add water to the pineapple juice if needed to measure 1 cup, then pour into a large saute pan or skillet over medium heat. Add rice vinegar, soy sauce and brown sugar to the pineapple juice and stir until smooth.
- Bring to a simmer, then add the cornstarch mixture to the skillet.
- Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly. Add the pineapple, meatballs and green pepper.
- Simmer, uncovered, until heated through; about 20 minutes.
- Garnish with thinly sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
