It’s the last day of the Easter Bank Holiday, and like many parents, I found myself thinking ahead to the busy week coming up. I needed something easy, quick and comforting to cook for dinner – something to gently ease us back into our weekday routine. That’s when Sweet and Sour Meatballs came to mind.
This dish ticks all the boxes: it’s quick to prepare, full of flavour and always a family favourite. Who doesn’t love juicy meatballs, especially when they’re coated in that glossy sweet and sour sauce? These Sweet and Sour Meatballs are not only delicious, they’re also wonderfully balanced with tangy pineapple, vibrant peppers and sweet onion slices. Serve them with a bowl of steaming hot rice and you’ve got a meal that everyone will love, from kids to grandparents.
A family favourite
I made these meatballs tonight, and they were a hit all around. The kids devoured them, and even my father-in-law, who stayed with us over the holidays, kept asking how to make them so that he could recreate them at home. As a home cook, there’s really nothing more rewarding than that!
What I also love about this recipe is how quickly it comes together, about 30 minutes from start to finish. That makes it perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something that feels special but doesn’t take up your whole evening.
Inspired by Sweet and Sour Pork
This recipe is a twist on my Sweet and Sour Pork, one of the most popular dishes in my kitchen. I had pork mince in the fridge, so I decided to adapt the idea and turn it into meatballs instead. The result? Absolutely no leftovers!
Ingredients for the Meatballs
To make the meatballs, I used pork mince with 15% fat. You could use a leaner cut if you prefer, but bear in mind that lower-fat meat can sometimes turn out a bit dry. A little tip: don’t overcook the meatballs, just cook them through and no more to keep them juicy.
Here’s what I used:
- Pork mince (15%)
- A pinch of salt and ground pepper
- Chopped spring onions for that fragrant lift
- A tablespoon of sesame oil for a subtle nutty flavour
- A couple of tablespoons of cornflour to bind everything together
I mixed everything by hand (with food-grade gloves on) to make sure it was well combined. Then I shaped the mixture into meatballs and arranged them in a single layer in my air fryer.
I cooked them at 200°C for 12 minutes. You can also pan-fry or bake them, but I love using the air fryer because it’s quick, healthier and keeps the meatballs juicy without needing extra oil.
The sauce and veggies
While the meatballs were cooking, I prepared the vegetables and sauce. I used a combination of peppers, pineapple chunks and sliced onions. These bring colour, crunch and a lovely contrast to the sweet and tangy sauce.
The sauce is simple:
- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar (or any vinegar you have)
- 70m of water
- 1 teaspoon of cornflour to help thicken the sauce
Give the sauce a good stir to ensure the cornflour dissolves fully before cooking.
Bring it all together
In a pan over medium-high heat, I added a splash of olive oil and sautéed the onions for about a minute, just to soften them. Then I added the pineapple chunks and chopped peppers and stir-fried everything for another minute.
Once that was done, I poured in the sweet and sour sauce, make sure to stir it again just before adding to prevent any cornflour clumps.
Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer, then add the cooked meatballs and toss everything together so the meatballs are nicely coated in the sauce. Simmer for around 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally and that’s it – dinner is served!
Best served with rice
These Sweet and Sour Meatballs are best enjoyed hot, straight from the pan, with a generous serving of steamed rice. They’re flavourful, filling and bring a lovely touch of brightness to your dinner table.
If you’re looking for a quick and satisfying meal that pleases the whole family, give these Sweet and Sour Meatballs a try. I promise they’ll become a regular on your weeknight menu too.
Looking for more pork mince recipes?
If you’ve got pork mince in the fridge and want more inspiration beyond these Sweet and Sour Meatballs, I’ve put together a collection of my favourite pork mince recipes here that are perfect for busy weeknights. From comforting classics to exciting twists, there’s something for everyone.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs (Thịt Viên Sốt Chua Ngọt)
Description
These Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a vibrant, family-friendly dish made with tender pork meatballs tossed in a glossy, tangy sauce with juicy pineapple, crisp peppers, and sweet onions. This easy 30-minute recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and best served with a bowl of hot, fluffy rice.
Ingredients
For the meatballs
For the sauce
For the stir-fry
Instructions
-
Make the meatballs
- In a large bowl, mix pork mince, salt, pepper, chopped spring onions, sesame oil and cornflour.
- Use your hands (gloved) to combine everything well.
- Shape into meatballs.
-
Cook the meatballs
- Place meatballs in a single layer in an air fryer.
- Cook at 200°C for 12 minutes.
- Alternatively, pan-fry or bake them if you prefer.
-
Prepare the sauce
- In a small bowl, mix fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, water and cornflour.
- Stir well to dissolve the cornflour completely.
-
Stir-fry the vegetables
- In a pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil.
- Saute onion for 1 minute, then add pineapple chunks and chopped peppers.
- Stir-fry for another minute.
-
Add the sauce and meatballs
- Give the sauce a final stir, then pour it into the pan.
- Bring to a simmer, add the cooked meatballs and stir to coat them in the sauce.
- Simmer for 3-5 minutes.
-
Serve
- Best served hot with steamed rice.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 466.06kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 35.25g55%
- Saturated Fat 11.47g58%
- Cholesterol 96mg32%
- Sodium 559.69mg24%
- Potassium 534.2mg16%
- Total Carbohydrate 12.93g5%
- Dietary Fiber 1.15g5%
- Sugars 6.97g
- Protein 23.76g48%
- Vitamin A 8.02 IU
- Vitamin C 67.94 mg
- Calcium 38.74 mg
- Iron 1.78 mg
- Vitamin E 0.7 IU
- Vitamin K 8.32 mcg
- Thiamin 1.05 mg
- Riboflavin 0.36 mg
- Niacin 6.59 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.64 mg
- Folate 27.06 mcg
- Vitamin B12 0.96 mcg
- Phosphorus 256.52 mg
- Magnesium 47.36 mg
- Zinc 3.11 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Don't overcook the meatballs; just enough to cook through will keep them soft and juicy.
