Low Sodium Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Satisfy your cravings for a tangy and flavorful dish with these Low Sodium Sweet and Sour Meatballs—perfect for a healthier, heart-friendly version of the classic favorite! This recipe uses lean ground beef or turkey, combined with the wholesome goodness of brown rice, to create tender, protein-packed meatballs. A zesty homemade sauce made from unsalted tomato sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and low sodium soy sauce delivers a vibrant sweet-and-sour flavor without excess salt. Accented by juicy pineapple chunks and crisp green bell peppers, this dish offers a perfect balance of savory and fruity. Ready in just 45 minutes and ideal for serving over brown rice or steamed vegetables, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. Healthy, delicious, and simple to make—these meatballs are a must-try for your next family dinner!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Lean ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
• 0.5 cup Cooked brown rice
• 1 large Egg
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 cup Unsalted tomato sauce
• 0.25 cup Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
• 0.25 cup Honey
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Water
• 1 medium Green bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup Pineapple chunks (in juice, no added sugar), drained
• 1 teaspoon Vegetable oil (for greasing the baking sheet)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with vegetable oil or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or turkey), cooked brown rice, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix until evenly combined.

Step 3

Form the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart.

Step 4

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly browned.

Step 5

While the meatballs are baking, prepare the low sodium sweet and sour sauce. In a medium-sized saucepan, whisk together the unsalted tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, low sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos), and honey over medium heat.

Step 6

In a small bowl, make a slurry by mixing cornstarch with water. Slowly whisk the slurry into the saucepan and continue stirring until the sauce thickens.

Step 7

Add the diced green bell pepper and pineapple chunks to the sauce, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes until the peppers are slightly tender.

Step 8

Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the saucepan and gently toss to coat them in the sauce.

Step 9

Serve the sweet and sour meatballs warm over brown rice or alongside steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1162.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1760.1

Total Fat 91.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 34.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.3g
Cholesterol 582.4mg	0%
Sodium 1684.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 113.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.6g	0%
Total Sugars 64.1g
Protein 135.5g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 186.3mg	0%
Iron 16.6mg	0%
Potassium 2936.4mg	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: 45.2%

Protein: 29.9%

Carbs: 24.9%