These sweet and sour meatballs are tossed in a tangy sauce. Tender chunks of pineapple and bell pepper amplify the sweet and sour flavor and it’s all ready in 20 minutes!

Meatballs for dinner is one of our favorite easy meals. It only takes a bag of frozen meatballs and a few ingredients to make something quick and delicious.

Plus, they’re extremely versatile. Meatballs and gravy for dinner are creamy and comforting, or Crock Pot Cranberry Meatballs make mouthwatering appetizers.

This sweet and sour meatballs recipe is way easier than making sweet and sour chicken at home, and way faster than ordering takeout!

Ingredients You Will Need:

Meatballs – any type of meat will work: beef, pork, turkey or even meatless. Just make sure they’re homestyle and not Italian meatballs.

Bell peppers – you can use any colors you like. Other veggies that would make tasty additions include white onion, broccoli and snow peas.

Pineapple chunks – adds to the sweet part of “sweet and sour.” Do not use fresh or frozen pineapple or the sauce will not thicken.

Sweet and sour sauce – you only need pineapple, vinegar, sugar and cornstarch to make your own. I recommend white vinegar, but you can substitute apple cider or rice vinegar if that’s what you have.

If you want to make this even easier, you can use a jar of store-bought sweet and sour sauce.

How to Make Sweet and Sour Meatballs

1. Begin by making sweet and sour sauce for meatballs. If using a jar of sauce you’ll need 12 ounces or 1 ½ cups. If making by scratch, you’ll need the juice from canned pineapple (fresh pineapple will NOT work).
2. Drain and save the pineapple juice from the canned pineapple. You should have about 1/3 cup or so. Save the pineapple chunks for later.
3. Add pineapple juice to large pot along with vinegar and sugar. Heat and stir over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to dissolve any lumps. Add to sauce and bring to a boil. The sauce will thicken up.
5. Add bell peppers and meatballs and stir everything together. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, or until meatballs are no longer frozen and heated through. Gently stir in pineapple chunks and serve.

What to serve with sweet and sour meatballs

We like ours over sticky white rice, but you could also use cauliflower rice or serve with stir-fried vegetables.

Homemade Garlic Fried Rice is also a delicious option and it’s just as easy to make.

If you’d like to make this sweet and sour and spicy, it also tastes great with some hot sauce (like Sriracha) drizzled on top.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs Crockpot instructions:

If you’d like to make these in the crockpot, add frozen meatballs, bell pepper and pineapple to slow cooker.

Whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce and pour over meatballs.

Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours, or until sauce has thickened. You may also add the peppers and pineapple at the end if you would like them crisper.