Gluten-Free Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Indulge in the perfect balance of tangy and savory with these gluten-free sweet and sour meatballs, a family-friendly dish that’s bursting with vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients. Tender beef or turkey meatballs are bound together with gluten-free breadcrumbs and seasoned with garlic and pepper, then seared to golden perfection. The star of the dish is the luscious sweet and sour sauce, made from pineapple juice, gluten-free soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of brown sugar, giving it a delightful tropical twist. Tossed with crunchy bell peppers and juicy pineapple chunks, these meatballs are simmered to perfection and ready to serve over fluffy steamed rice or noodles. Quick to prepare in just under an hour, this easy recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or a fun weekend treat—all while being gluten-free and utterly satisfying!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef or turkey
• 0.5 cup Gluten-free breadcrumbs
• 1 large Egg
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 cup Pineapple juice
• 0.25 cup Gluten-free soy sauce or tamari
• 0.25 cup Apple cider vinegar
• 0.33 cup Ketchup
• 0.25 cup Brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Water
• 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium Green bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup Pineapple chunks, drained

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, gluten-free breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until combined.

Step 2

Shape the mixture into approximately 1-inch meatballs (you should get around 20-24 meatballs).

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In a medium saucepan, whisk together the pineapple juice, gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, and brown sugar. Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture begins to simmer.

Step 5

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Gradually add the slurry to the simmering sauce, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly (about 1-2 minutes).

Step 6

Add the diced red and green bell peppers and pineapple chunks to the sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes to soften the vegetables slightly.

Step 7

Place the cooked meatballs back into the skillet and pour the sweet and sour sauce over them. Stir to coat the meatballs evenly in the sauce.

Step 8

Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes over low heat, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 9

Serve the meatballs hot over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1650.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2532.7

Total Fat 133.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 42.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 582.4mg	0%
Sodium 6417.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 232.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.3g	0%
Total Sugars 121.8g
Protein 103.2g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 314.8mg	0%
Iron 17.5mg	0%
Potassium 2675.1mg	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: 47.2%

Protein: 16.2%

Carbs: 36.6%