Soy-Free Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Satisfy your cravings for bold, tangy flavors with these Soy-Free Sweet and Sour Meatballs, a delicious twist on a classic favorite that's perfect for those seeking allergen-friendly options. Juicy meatballs made with ground beef or turkey are seasoned with garlic, paprika, and breadcrumbs, then browned to perfection before finishing in the oven. The star of the dish is the homemade sweet and sour sauce, made from pineapple juice, ketchup, brown sugar, and a touch of white vinegar—completely free of soy but overflowing with crave-worthy flavor. Serve these glossy, flavor-packed meatballs over fluffy rice, tender noodles, or as a bite-sized crowd-pleaser at your next gathering. Quick to prepare and irresistibly good, this recipe is your new go-to for family dinners or party appetizers!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef or turkey
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs (soy-free)
• 0.25 cup Milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1 large Egg
• 2 cloves Minced garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
• 0.5 cup Ketchup
• 0.5 cup Pineapple juice (100%, no sugar added)
• 2 tablespoons White vinegar
• 3 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Water (for cornstarch slurry)
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil (for frying)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.

Step 3

Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should end up with approximately 18-20 meatballs.

Step 4

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Lightly brown the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally to ensure all sides are browned. This step takes about 5-7 minutes. They do not need to be fully cooked at this point.

Step 5

Transfer the browned meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until fully cooked (internal temperature of 160°F for beef or 165°F for turkey).

Step 6

While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sweet and sour sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, pineapple juice, white vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to form a slurry. Gradually whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce to thicken it. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce reaches a glossy, thick consistency.

Step 8

Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them into the saucepan with the sweet and sour sauce. Gently stir to coat all the meatballs in the sauce.

Step 9

Serve immediately over steamed rice, noodles, or as a party appetizer. Garnish with chopped parsley or scallions if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1002.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2040.6

Total Fat 130.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 43.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 587.4mg	0%
Sodium 2682.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 124.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.9g	0%
Total Sugars 65.0g
Protein 92.5g	0%

Vitamin D 78.8IU	0%
Calcium 270.0mg	0%
Iron 14.6mg	0%
Potassium 1737.8mg	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: 57.4%

Protein: 18.1%

Carbs: 24.4%