Dairy-Free Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Get ready to elevate your dinner game with these irresistible Dairy-Free Sweet and Sour Meatballs! This recipe combines tender, oven-baked meatballs with a tangy-sweet sauce that's bursting with flavor from pineapple juice, ketchup, and just a hint of soy sauce. Perfect for those avoiding dairy or gluten (thanks to easily adaptable breadcrumbs and tamari options), these meatballs are seared for a golden crust before soaking up the vibrant homemade sauce. Simple ingredients, quick prep, and versatile serving options—whether piled over fluffy rice or served solo as an appetizer—make this dish a must-try. Perfect for busy weeknights or your next crowd-pleasing gathering!

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef (or turkey for a lighter option)
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs (use dairy-free, gluten-free if needed)
• 1 large Egg
• 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp Onion powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Neutral oil (e.g., avocado or vegetable oil)
• 0.5 cup Ketchup (ensure it’s dairy-free)
• 0.33 cup Brown sugar
• 0.25 cup Rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 2 tbsp Soy sauce (use gluten-free tamari if needed)
• 0.5 cup Pineapple juice (unsweetened)
• 1 tbsp Cornstarch
• 2 tbsp Water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Step 3

Using your hands or a small scoop, roll the mixture into uniform 1-inch meatballs. You should get about 20-24 meatballs.

Step 4

Heat 2 tablespoons of neutral oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and brown them on all sides (about 2-3 minutes per side). Transfer the seared meatballs to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 5

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Step 6

While the meatballs bake, prepare the sweet and sour sauce. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Gradually whisk the slurry into the saucepan to thicken the sweet and sour sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce has slightly thickened and coats the back of a spoon.

Step 8

Remove the meatballs from the oven and transfer them into the saucepan with the sweet and sour sauce. Gently toss to coat the meatballs evenly.

Step 9

Serve hot as an appetizer or over steamed rice for a complete meal. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1020.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2118.8

Total Fat 129.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 42.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 582.4mg	0%
Sodium 6182.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 148.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.6g	0%
Total Sugars 83.9g
Protein 92.1g	0%

Vitamin D 85.5IU	0%
Calcium 211.7mg	0%
Iron 14.0mg	0%
Potassium 2049.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.8%

Protein: 17.3%

Carbs: 27.9%