Spoon Simple
Sweet & Sour Pork Meatballs with Pineapple
Kid-friendly meatballs baked in a tangy sweet and sour sauce with chunks of pineapple make for an easy and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Prep 20 min
Cook 35 min
Total 55 min
Serves 4
Ingredients
Step 1 — For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Step 2 — For the Sweet & Sour Sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (8 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice, drained (reserve juice)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp reserved pineapple juice
Step 3 — For Serving
- Cooked white or brown rice
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Make Meatball Mixture
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, gently combine the ground pork, panko breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, 1 tbsp soy sauce, grated ginger, and black pepper. Be careful not to overmix.
- 2
Form and Bake Meatballs
Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes, until lightly browned.
- 3
Prepare Sweet & Sour Sauce
While meatballs bake, whisk together ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- 4
Thicken Sauce & Add Pineapple
Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce until it thickens slightly. Stir in the drained pineapple chunks. Reduce heat to low.
- 5
Combine and Finish Baking
Add the partially baked meatballs to the saucepan with the sweet and sour sauce. Stir gently to coat. Pour the mixture into a greased 8x8 inch baking dish. Bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and sauce is bubbly.
- 6
Serve
Serve the sweet and sour pork meatballs hot over cooked rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.
Nutrition per serving: 510 cal · 30g protein · 55g carbs · 20g fat · 3g fiber
For informational purposes only. Not medical or dietary advice. Verify ingredients for allergens, cooking times, and safe internal temperatures before serving.
