Sugar-Free Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Dive into the perfect balance of tangy and savory with this easy, family-friendly recipe for Sugar-Free Sweet and Sour Meatballs! Made with your choice of ground beef or lean ground turkey, these juicy meatballs are gluten-free and grain-free, using almond flour for a tender texture. The star of the dish is the naturally sweetened sauce, crafted from unsweetened pineapple juice, tomato paste, and a hint of apple cider vinegar, delivering all the classic sweet-and-sour flavors without added sugar. A quick oven bake followed by a skillet sear gives these meatballs a delightful crispness, while the thickened sauce clings to every bite. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, these meatballs shine served over cauliflower rice or alongside a medley of steamed veggies. Healthy never tasted so good!
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
- 1 large Egg
- 0.5 cup Almond flour
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Avocado oil (or olive oil)
- 0.5 cup Pineapple juice (unsweetened, from canned or bottled)
- 0.25 cup Tomato paste (no sugar added)
- 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Soy sauce or coconut aminos (for gluten-free option)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch (or arrowroot powder for grain-free option)
- 2 tablespoons Water
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, almond flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined but do not overmix, as it can make the meatballs tough.
Step 3
Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
Step 5
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sugar-free sweet and sour sauce. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the unsweetened pineapple juice, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce or coconut aminos, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
Step 6
Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture comes to a simmer.
Step 7
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch or arrowroot powder with water to create a slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the sauce until it thickens to your desired consistency. Lower the heat to keep the sauce warm.
Step 8
Once the meatballs are done baking, heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs to the skillet and sear them for 1-2 minutes on each side for extra flavor and texture.
Step 9
Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the meatballs in the skillet, ensuring all the meatballs are well coated. Let everything simmer together for 3-5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 10
Serve the meatballs hot, garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired. They pair wonderfully with steamed vegetables or over a bed of cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (893.9g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1971.3 |
| Total Fat 151.0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 44.1g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g | |
| Cholesterol 582.4mg | 0% |
| Sodium 4294.8mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 57.2g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 9.1g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 21.8g | |
| Protein 101.4g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 85.5IU | 0% |
| Calcium 251.7mg | 0% |
| Iron 14.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2380.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories