Low Sodium Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Satisfy your craving for bold, tangy flavors with these Low Sodium Sweet and Sour Meatballs! This healthier twist on a classic dish features tender baked meatballs made with lean ground beef (or turkey), infused with subtle seasonings like onion and garlic powders, and bound together with cooked brown rice for an extra touch of whole grains. The star of the show is the homemade sweet and sour sauce crafted with unsalted tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey, and low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos—delivering a perfect balance of sweetness and zing without the excess salt. Tossed with vibrant green bell peppers and juicy pineapple chunks, these meatballs are a guilt-free delight that pair beautifully with brown rice or steamed veggies. Ready in under an hour, this low sodium recipe is ideal for heart-healthy meal plans or anyone seeking bold flavor without compromise.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Lean ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
- 0.5 cup Cooked brown rice
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 cup Unsalted tomato sauce
- 0.25 cup Apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 0.25 cup Honey
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Water
- 1 medium Green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup Pineapple chunks (in juice, no added sugar), drained
- 1 teaspoon Vegetable oil (for greasing the baking sheet)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with vegetable oil or line it with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or turkey), cooked brown rice, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix until evenly combined.
Form the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly browned.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the low sodium sweet and sour sauce. In a medium-sized saucepan, whisk together the unsalted tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, low sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos), and honey over medium heat.
In a small bowl, make a slurry by mixing cornstarch with water. Slowly whisk the slurry into the saucepan and continue stirring until the sauce thickens.
Add the diced green bell pepper and pineapple chunks to the sauce, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes until the peppers are slightly tender.
Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the saucepan and gently toss to coat them in the sauce.
Serve the sweet and sour meatballs warm over brown rice or alongside steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1760 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 91.2 g | 117% | |
| Saturated Fat | 34.9 g | 174% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 582 mg | 194% | |
| Sodium | 1685 mg | 73% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 113.0 g | 41% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.6 g | 31% | |
| Total Sugars | 64.1 g | ||
| Protein | 135.5 g | 271% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 186 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 16.6 mg | 92% | |
| Potassium | 2936 mg | 62% | |
*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.
