Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Mouthwatering delicious, Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a quick and easy recipe made simple in the Instant Pot.  No need to wonder ‘What’s for Dinner?’ this Instant Pot recipe will whip up in minutes.

My boys will eat and eat Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs with the Sweet and Tangy sauce over steamed rice, it's a family favorite.

As an added side, we really enjoy making Hawaiian Macaroni Salad with this too.

The mild sweet and tangy sauce of the Mac Salad compliments the bold Sweet and Sour Sauce perfectly.

Serves 6 | Ready in 15 minutes | Good for Dinner | 6 qt Instant Pot

Sweet and Sour Recipes have been popular across the world, however are typically part of Chinese recipes in many forms.

The sauce is a mixture of sugar and either vinegar or lemon to give the perfect balance of both Sweet and Sour.

How to make Sweet and Sour Meatballs in the Instant Pot?

• Combine sauce ingredients in your Instant Pot and stir to combine
• Add Frozen Meatballs
• Close Lid and set to Manual (Pressure Cook) for 2 minutes
• Quick Release pressure on Instant Pot
• Add diced bell peppers, onions and pineapple chunks
• Set to Manual (Pressure Cook) for 0 (Zero) minute
• Quick Release Pressure and add cornstarch slurry to thicken sauce if desired
• Serve over Rice

This recipe for Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs couldn’t be any easier.  With a cook time of 3 minutes combined, this is a quick and easy dinner recipe made simple in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

Love Meatballs? Try these other Meatball Recipes!

• Teriyaki Meatballs
• Cranberry Meatballs
• Spaghetti and Meatballs
• Enchilada Meatball Casserole
• Meatballs Cups
• Salisbury Steak Meatballs
• Grape Jelly and Meatball Weenies

A Mom’s job is rarely done, and when evening time hits me I’m wiped out, and have often forget about thinking about dinner and what to make.  Sound familiar? 

I know I’m not alone.  This recipe will save you especially using the Instant Pot.  I promise. 

You can pull this sweet and sour meatball recipe out in minutes with frozen meatballs too.

What to Serve Sweet and Sour Meatballs with

I personally love this Sweet and Sour Recipe served over rice.  I like the balance of the flavors the rice gives to help mellow out flavors and bring out others. 

My son, prefers to douse his rice in sauce, more like a soupy mess, and enjoy it all.  To each their own. 

Make this easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe and you won’t go wrong because everyone will eat it right up.

This recipe calls for Pineapple.  Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Pineapple give a burst of flavor in each bite.  I love the warm pineapple with the sweet and sour sauce and veggies.  Yum.  

How can you make Sweet and Sour Meatballs?

Sweet and Sour Meatballs can be made a variety of ways, Personally the Instant Pot is the quickest and fastest. 

This recipe can also be made in a Crock Pot as well as the Oven and will taste the same.  Choose what method is best for you and enjoy these Meatballs. Directions for other methods are in Recipe card below

Can Sweet and Sour Meatballs be made in the Crock Pot?

Of course they can!  See the Recipe Card for directions, they are very similar, just the time is adjusted.

Can Sweet and Sour Meatballs be made in the Oven?

Again, Yes!  Of course!  Sweet and Sour Meatballs can easily be made in the Oven too.  Please see the Recipe Card for full directions and choose a method best for you.

If you think Sweet and Sour Meatballs sounds Great… Check out this recipe!

Sweet and Sour Chicken is another Family Favorite! Which is why we love this quick and easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe made simply in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.

Pin this Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Meatball Recipe for Later!

Quick Tips

Want a thicker sauce?  It’s super easy.  Make a Cornstarch Slurry with 2 Tbs Cornstarch and 2 Tbs water and mix, then add to your recipe at the very end right in the Instant Pot to thicken the sauce.  Yum!

Instant Pot Favorite Recipes

• Easy Chicken Fajitas
• Navajo Tacos
• Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
• Bowtie Pasta
• Fiesta Chicken Casserole
• Mac and Cheese Bites
• Honey Mustard Chicken and Rice
• Pasta with Zucchini and Cheery Tomatoes
• Sweet Salsa Chicken

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4.66 from 26 votes

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Mouthwateringly delicious, this Sweet and Sour Meatballs Instant Pot recipe is a quick meal that's so easy to make! No need to wonder, ‘What’s for Dinner?’ This Instant Pot recipe comes together in just 15 minutes!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Additional Time5 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Devour Dinner

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Course: Entree

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 Servings

Author: Devour Dinner

Ingredients

• 26 Frozen Meatballs - Approximately 1 Bag
• ⅓ cup Brown Sugar
• ¼ cup Soy Sauce
• ⅓ cup Ketchup
• 1½ cups Pineapple Juice
• 1 cup Pineapple Tidbits - or Chunks
• 1 Sweet Onion
• 1 Red Bell Pepper
• 1 Yellow Bell Pepper
• 1 Bunch Green Onions - (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Sesame Seeds - (optional)

Instructions

Sweet and Sour Meatballs in the Instant Pot

• Pour Pineapple Juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and ketchup into the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. Stir the mixture to combine.
• Pour 1 bag (approx. 26 meatballs) into the Instant Pot.
• Set to Manual for 2 minutes. Quick Release Pressure
• Cut Onion and Bell Peppers into large chunks.
• Toss the Onions, Bell Peppers and Pineapple into the Instant Pot and give it a quick stir.
• Set to Manual for "0" minutes. Quick Release Pressure
• (Optional) 2 Tbs Corn Starch with as little water as possible to make a slurry. Add it to the Instant Pot and stir to thicken the sauce.
• Garnish with Green Onions and Sesame Seeds. Serve over Rice.

How to Make Sweet and Sour Crockpot Meatballs

• ​Using the CrockPot is a great dump-and-cook method, and it doesn't take the whole day to cook, either!
• Add items from step one to the crockpot and stir to combine. Add meatballs.
• Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours or on HIGH for 1 hour. In the last 15 minutes of cooking, add the onions, bell peppers, and pineapple. Stir to combine.
• To thicken the sauce, add a cornstarch slurry at the end with 2 Tbs Cornstarch and 2 Tbs Water.

​How to Make Sweet and Sour Meatballs in the Oven

• Heat the oven to 400 Degrees.
• In a bowl, combine the ingredients from step one and stir to combine.
• Place meatballs in an oven-safe dish with onions, bell peppers, and pineapple.
• Pour sauce over top and stir to coat. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven.
• Sauce may be thin. Add a cornstarch slurry if needed with 2Tb Cornstarch and 2 Tbs water. Add it to the sauce and stir to thicken.

Video

Notes

Thickening the Sauce: If you find that your sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by making a cornstarch slurry with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and just enough water to combine. Add this to your cooked meatballs and vegetables, and the sauce will thicken nicely.

 

Storage

• Storage: Wait until the dish has cooled completely, then package it in Ziploc bags or an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
• Freezing: Once cooled, you can portion this dish into freezer-safe bags or a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Have you made this recipe?Mention @devourdinner or tag us #devourdinner! Please leave a comment and rating below. Thank you!

Nutrition Disclaimer

All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 1252mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 29g