How to Cook Sweet and Sour Pork Meatballs
This is a simple meatballs dish with sweet and sour sauce. Actually this is an oriental inspired dish which is similar to sweet and sour pork on this time meatballs are used instead of slices of fried pork meat.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time40 minutes mins
Total Time55 minutes mins
Course: Pork Recipe
Cuisine: Filipino/Chinese
Keyword: meatball recipe, panlasang pinoy, sweet and sour meatballs
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 353kcal
Author: Manny
Meatballs ingredients:
- 1 kilo ground pork
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 4 tsp. fine salt
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
- 2 pcs raw egg
- 1 cup onion minced
- 2 Tbsp. garlic minced
Sweet sour sauce ingredients:
- 1 pc large size onion quartered
- 3 pcs tomatoes quartered
- 1 pc carrot slice into strips
- 2 pcs bell pepper red & green (strips)
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small can pineapple tidbits
- 1 cup catsup
- 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch dissolve with 2 Tbsp. water
- 1 Tbsp. salt
- 1 tsp. liquid seasoning
- 1 cup water
How to cook Sweet and Sour Meatballs:
In a medium size bowl, combine ground pork, bread crumbs, fine salt, black pepper, egg, onion and garlic. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly mixed.
Make ball shaped meatballs by scooping about 2 tablespoons to make each meatballs. Heat some cooking oil on the pan and fry the meatballs until golden brown.
Fry in batches to avoid the meatballs sticking with each other. Remove from the pan when done and drain excess oil. Set aside.
Sauté minced garlic until brown. Add altogether onion, tomatoes, celery, carrot, and pepper strips. Stir. After 3 minutes or until half-cooked, add catsup, pineapple tidbits (with syrup), and water.
Season with soy sauce and liquid seasoning. Continue boiling until the vegetables are cooked. Do not overcook the vegetables. Thicken with dissolved cornstarch and stir. When it boils pour over meatballs. Serve hot.
Cooking Tips:
Use Fresh Ingredients for Better Flavor
The quality of your ingredients makes a big difference in the final dish. Choose fresh ground pork for tender and juicy meatballs, and ensure your vegetables are crisp and vibrant to add both texture and color. Using fresh garlic and onions for the sauce enhances its aroma and depth of flavor, giving your sweet and sour meatballs that extra delicious touch.
Fry the Meatballs in Batches
Avoid overcrowding the pan when frying meatballs to ensure even cooking and a golden-brown crust. Overcrowding lowers the oil temperature, which can result in soggy, undercooked meatballs. Frying in small batches also prevents the meatballs from sticking together, keeping them perfectly shaped and deliciously crispy on the outside.
Balance the Sweet and Sour Sauce
Taste your sauce as you go to strike the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. If it’s too sweet, add a splash of vinegar; if it’s too tangy, a little sugar or syrup from the pineapple tidbits will mellow it out. A well-balanced sauce enhances the flavors of the meatballs and complements the vegetables beautifully, creating a dish everyone will love.