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Home By Diet Dairy-Free

Healthier Sweet and Sour Meatballs

★★★★★ 30 Reviews Recipe Print
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By: Erin12/3/20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

healthier sweet and sour turkey meatballs
healthier sweet and sour turkey meatballs

Satisfy all of your flavor cravings with these Healthier Sweet and Sour Meatballs! Made with turkey and a delicious pineapple juice, coconut sugar, and soy sauce glaze.

sweet and sour meatballs

Sweet and sour just met a whole new level

Do you ever find yourself craving sweet and sour chicken from your favorite local restaurant? Something about that flavor combo is just ridiculously satisfying!

Well, make room for this new dish and you’ll see yourself craving it just as much as that chicken. And just think – you can make it right in your kitchen! What’s not to love about Healthier Sweet and Sour Meatballs?

This meatball recipe is savory, juicy, and obviously sweet and sour. It’s made with a turkey and onion base and topped with a delicious sauce consisting of pineapple juice, coconut sugar, and more!

These meatballs make the perfect dish for Game Day and are wonderful for taking to potlucks. Trust me, they’re sure to become a new crowd favorite.

sweet and sour meatballs

Ingredients included in these meatballs

We’re using two sections of ingredients for this recipe: the meatball fixings, and the sweet and sour sauce items. Only 12 ingredients in total… it’s gonna be good.

Meatballs:

  • Ground turkey: Ground turkey will work as the base of our meatballs. You’ll need about 2 pounds for this recipe.
  • Eggs: Next up, grab 2 eggs. These add to the flavor while also working as a binding agent.
  • Breadcrumbs: Next up, breadcrumbs will be used to thicken and form the meatballs. You can use whatever you have; I used crushed Simple Mills almond flour crackers.
  • White onion: Dice up 1/4 cup of white onion. Don’t be afraid to throw in a little extra!
  • Garlic: Add two cloves of garlic for flavor, obviously!
  • Salt: 1/2 tsp of salt will be just enough.
  • Pepper: Last but not least, add 1/4 tsp of pepper!

Sweet and Sour Sauce:

  • Arrowroot powder: 1 tbsp of arrowroot powder will help to thicken up the sauce.
  • Pineapple juice: Next up, achieve that desired sweetness with the addition of 1/2 cup of pineapple juice!
  • Coconut sugar: Add 1/2 cup of coconut sugar for extra sweet flavor.
  • Soy sauce: Add 2 tbsp of soy sauce, because what is sweet and sour sauce without soy sauce?!
  • Ketchup: 1/3 cup of ketchup will add a unique tanginess.
  • Garlic: Finally, add 1 tsp minced of mined garlic, and your sauce is complete!
sweet and sour meatballs in pan

Items you’ll need to make this meatball recipe

This recipe is simple and only requires about 7 kitchen tools (plus measuring cups). You’ll need items to chop your veggies, mix your meatball ingredients, warm your sauce, and measure everything out!

  • Cutting board
  • Chopping knife
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Sauce pan
  • Whisk

Finally, you’ll need the following sized measuring cups, 1/4 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.

How to make healthier sweet and sour meatballs

This recipe begins by mixing all of the meatball ingredients in a bowl. From there, just bake, coat in the sweet and sour sauce, and enjoy!

To begin, preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix the turkey meatball ingredients with your hands. Roll the mix into balls and place them on a baking sheet. They won’t shrink too much, so make them the approximate size that you’re aiming for. My mix made 28 meatballs.

Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165F.

Remove any fat that may spill out.

While baking, heat all of the sweet and sour ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Let bubble and reduce the heat to medium, whisking often. Let simmer for at least 5 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened. It will continue to thicken as it sits.

Cover the meatballs with sauce. You can pour it over or brush it on.

Serve immediately.

sweet and sour meatballs with dip

Ingredient swap options

Have a few items that you’d like to use instead? Check this list for easy substitute options!

Ground turkey
Looking to use something other than turkey? Easy! Use whichever ground meat you’d like. Chicken and beef will both work, and you can also use plant-based ground meats.

Breadcrumbs
For breadcrumbs, I mentioned that I used almond flour crackers, but you can use whichever type you have! Toasted, fresh, panko… they’ll all work!

White onion
I love white onion in this recipe, but you can use yellow or red too.

Coconut sugar
Finally, you can use any sugar you’d like in the sweet and sour mix, including white sugar.

Preparing this recipe ahead of time

This is a great prep-ahead recipe for use at a later date. Just mix the meatball ingredients, form, and then store in the freezer.

When the day comes and you’re ready to enjoy them, just remove from the freezer, thaw, mix your sweet and sour sauce, and then cook everything as directed!

How to store healthier sweet and sour meatballs

Keep any leftover meatballs in the refrigerator and enjoy within 2-3 days. Don’t forget to make sure the container is nice and sealed!

More meatball recipes to try

It’s football season, which means meatballs are a must! Here are some more mouth-watering variations to try out next Football Sunday.

  • Thai Turkey Meatballs with Peanut Sauce
  • Healthy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
  • Easy Turkey Meatballs (Gluten-Free)
sweet and sour meatballs with dip

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Quarter Soul Crisis

sweet and sour meatballs with dip
★★★★★ 5 from 30 reviews

Healthier Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Satisfy all of your flavor cravings with these Healthier Sweet and Sour Meatballs! Made with turkey and a delicious pineapple juice, coconut sugar, and soy sauce glaze.

Prep: 10Cook: 20Total: 30 minutes
Yield 28 meatballs 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 2 lbs ground turkey
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (I used crushed Simple Mills almond flour crackers)
  • 1/4 cup finely diced white onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Sweet and Sour Sauce

  • 1 tbsp arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1 tsp minced garlic

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together all turkey meatball ingredients with hands. Roll into balls and place on baking sheet. Meatballs don’t shrink too much, so make them the approx. size you want. Mine made 28.
  3. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until internal temp reaches 165F.
  4. Some fat may spill out (white) but just trim it off/wipe it away from the meatballs.
  5. While baking, heat all sweet and sour sauce ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Let bubble and reduce heat to medium, whisking often. Let simmer for at least 5 minutes or until mixture has thickened. It will continue to thicken as it sits.
  6. Cover meatballs with sauce, you can pour it directly on or you can brush it on.
  7. Serve immediately. Store in fridge.
Author: ErinCategory: holiday, dinner, side dish, appetizerMethod: ovenCuisine: AsianDiet: Gluten Free
sweet and sour meatballs with dip

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Catherine Barrett Brinson says

    Posted on 12/5 at 10:18 am

    Made these meatballs last Christmas for the first time after years of making a family recipe. I was nervous of what the family would think of the change – sweet & sour meatballs have always been a fam fave! Everyone loved them & I have made them a few times since! Everyone is looking forward to them again this Christmas season!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/5 at 3:18 pm

      Hi Catherine, so happy you loved them!!

      Reply
  2. Amanda says

    Posted on 12/4 at 5:14 pm

    So good!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/5 at 2:32 pm

      Hi Amanda, so happy you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  3. melissa says

    Posted on 11/13 at 10:27 am

    Made for a family gathering as hors d’oeurves and they were a total hit! Put the few I had left on rice for dinner the next night, paired great together

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/14 at 7:58 pm

      Hi Melissa, so happy everyone loved them! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Alyssa says

    Posted on 11/10 at 9:04 pm

    Soooo delicious! I made these with spaghetti squash and rice and had them as a meal! I also didn’t have onion so subbed it for red bell pepper and it added a nice crunch! Will definitely make these again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/11 at 7:15 pm

      Hi Alyssa, so glad you liked them and made them your own!! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Kellyn says

    Posted on 5/8 at 8:29 pm

    These meatballs were so yummy and easy!! Baking them in the oven is such a game changer – so much easier and less of a mess. I made about 50 small ones for an appetizer and they were devoured! Another great recipe!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 5/9 at 1:13 pm

      Hi Kellyn, so happy you loved them!! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Shannon Tilley says

    Posted on 1/5 at 5:26 pm

    Yummy!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/6 at 9:55 pm

      Hi Shannon, so glad you loved them!

      Reply
  7. Sara MacWilliams says

    Posted on 11/28 at 1:26 pm

    I just made a batch of these for my lunches this week to add with cauliflower rice and honey garlic carrots. They are so easy to make, my toddler enjoyed helping me roll the meatballs as well. Baked perfectly and the sauce is absolutely delicious. I added a few pineapple pieces as someone else said they added them. For me too sweet, but I only did a few to try with the sauce and meatball. I will be making these frequently!!! Would also be good in mini size for an appetizer on game day.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/28 at 1:53 pm

      Hi Sara, so happy you loved them so much and great idea to batch them! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Chelsea says

    Posted on 10/23 at 10:28 am

    My mom and I made these last week for dinner and they were so tasty!! My whole family loved them. We ended up doubling the sauce and served over rice. Such a great week night meal or app to make!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/25 at 2:56 pm

      Hi Chelsea, I am so glad everyone loved it and great idea adding rice!!

      Reply
  9. Erin Chang says

    Posted on 10/22 at 7:29 pm

    SO DELICIOUS! made these for dinner and they were incredibly flavorful, quick and easy! Served with rice and roasted green beans. Great for leftovers or to freeze the extras! Adding to my list of “go to” recipes.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/23 at 6:49 am

      Hi Erin, I am so happy you loved the meatballs! Thanks for sharing!!

      Reply
  10. Danielle Lee says

    Posted on 9/22 at 12:28 pm

    These were delicious. The perfect amount of savory and sweet. This was my first time using arrowroot flour (don’t be afraid!) as well! Great for a group or a protein filled snack. As usual, Erin killed it!!! 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/25 at 8:56 am

      Hi Danielle, so glad you loved them!!

      Reply
  11. Katie S says

    Posted on 6/28 at 4:46 pm

    I made these for dinner last week and I’m doing it again tonight! These meatballs are the bomb.com (if anyone says that anymore 😂). But really HOW IS THE SAUCE THAT GOOD?! My family really enjoyed them. Thanks for the amazing recipe

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/28 at 4:58 pm

      Hi Katie, so happy you and your family loved them!! Thanks for all your support. You are the bomb.com!!

      Reply
  12. Sarah Koch says

    Posted on 6/13 at 7:14 pm

    We freaking love this recipe! Great as an appetizer, also great as an entree with rice! My two year old crushes these and I love having a simple, healthy alternative to the junk in most sweet and sour recipes / store bought sauces!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/14 at 2:25 pm

      Hi Sarah, so glad you both loved them so much!!

      Reply
  13. Amanda says

    Posted on 6/13 at 10:50 am

    These were delicious and moist and perfectly sweet and sour. served it with rice and salad and it was a perfect meal!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/13 at 1:43 pm

      Hi Amanda, so glad you enjoyed them!!

      Reply
  14. Shannon says

    Posted on 5/18 at 1:10 pm

    We love this meatball recipe! A hit with the whole family. I turn it into a dinner by serving over rice and with some sort of veggie. SO GOOD 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 5/18 at 1:57 pm

      Hi Shannon, so happy everyone loved it and great idea!!

      Reply
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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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