Whole30 Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Perfectly balancing bold flavors with clean eating, these Whole30 Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a healthy, mouthwatering twist on a classic favorite. Made with tender ground chicken or turkey, almond flour, and a blend of garlic and onion powder, these gluten-free meatballs bake to perfection before being coated in a tangy homemade sauce. Crafted with coconut aminos, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, and a hint of ginger, this naturally sweet and savory glaze boasts no added sugar or questionable ingredients, ensuring it’s fully Whole30-compliant. Quick to prepare in just 35 minutes, this versatile recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or serving as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Pair with fluffy cauliflower rice or an assortment of steamed veggies for an irresistibly wholesome meal that’s bursting with flavor—and free of guilt!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground chicken or turkey
• 1 large Egg
• 1 cup Almond flour
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 cup Coconut aminos
• 0.5 cup Pineapple juice (unsweetened)
• 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste (no added sugar)
• 1 teaspoon Ginger (grated)
• 2 teaspoons Arrowroot powder
• 2 tablespoons Water
• 2 tablespoons Avocado oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken or turkey, egg, almond flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until fully combined but do not overwork the meat.

Step 3

Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4

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

Step 5

While the meatballs bake, prepare the sweet and sour sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine coconut aminos, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, and grated ginger. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 6

In a small bowl, mix the arrowroot powder with water to create a slurry. Gradually stir the slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens (about 1-2 minutes). Remove the sauce from heat.

Step 7

In a large skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. Add the baked meatballs to the skillet and pour the sweet and sour sauce over them. Toss gently to coat the meatballs in the sauce.

Step 8

Cook the meatballs in the sauce for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing them to absorb the flavors.

Step 9

Serve warm as a main dish with cauliflower rice or steamed vegetables, or as an appetizer. Enjoy your Whole30-compliant sweet and sour meatballs!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1098.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2012.0

Total Fat 124.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 20.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 605.1mg	0%
Sodium 7081.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 101.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.0g	0%
Total Sugars 67.9g
Protein 120.6g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 335.9mg	0%
Iron 9.8mg	0%
Potassium 1517.7mg	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: 55.7%

Protein: 24.1%

Carbs: 20.2%