Easy Baked Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs Recipe

These sweet and sour turkey meatballs are exactly what you need when you’re craving a flavorful twist on classic comfort food. This easy recipe brings together the perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors, making it a hit for family dinners or weeknight meals. Made with lean ground turkey and a vibrant homemade sauce, it’s a lighter take on traditional meatballs while still delivering that satisfying bite.

Sweet and sour dishes are a new favorite of mine. There’s something about the harmony of tangy and sweet that makes each bite feel satisfying, especially when it’s homemade with wholesome ingredients.

These meatballs are crafted with lean ground turkey (or chicken) and a naturally sweetened sauce. They’re easily prepared in an oven or air fryer —whatever works best for your kitchen.

This sweet and sour meatballs recipe is packed with flavor, thanks to a blend of pantry staples like coconut sugar, tamari sauce, and rice vinegar. The homemade sauce, with its perfect combination of tanginess and sweetness, coats the juicy meatballs, making each bite irresistible. 

Whether you serve them over rice, cauliflower rice, or alongside your favorite veggies like this sautéed butternut squash recipe or these crispy smashed potatoes, these homemade meatballs will be an instant favorite for dinner with the whole family.

What I love most about this dish is its versatility—it’s perfect for meal prep or a crowd-pleasing party appetizer. Plus, baking the meatballs makes them even easier to prepare without sacrificing flavor.

This sweet and sour turkey meatballs recipe is a great way to enjoy a classic sweet and sour dish without refined sugars.

Recipe Ingredients

You'll need the following ingredients to make this recipe for sweet and sour turkey meatballs:

Ingredient Notes:

For the Turkey Meatballs:

• Ground Meat: Lean ground turkey, ground chicken, or a combination of both create a tender texture. A combination of lean ground beef and ground pork also blends well with a lot of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs: Gluten-free bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, rolled oats or almond flour helps bind the meatballs.
• Large Egg: Acts as a binder to keep the turkey meatballs from falling apart.
• Yellow Onion and Garlic Cloves: Adds depth and a mild onion-garlic flavor to each bite. Swap with green onions and garlic powder or onion powder if you prefer.

For the Sweet and Sour Meatball Sauce:

• Coconut Sugar: A natural, minimally processed sweetener that pairs well with the sour ingredients. Honey works well here too.
• Pineapple Juice: Adds natural sweetness and helps achieve the classic sweet and sour flavor. If you can't find pineapple juice, orange juice works just as well.
• Rice Vinegar: Balances sweetness with tang for the sauce. Can substitute with apple cider vinegar for a stronger tang.
• Tamari or Coconut Aminos: Gluten-free alternatives to soy sauce, enhancing umami.
• Fresh Ginger: Adds a warm, aromatic spice to the sauce, giving the meatballs a burst of flavor and a hint of zesty heat.
• Red and Green Bell Peppers: Adds color, crunch, and a sweet balance to the sauce.
• Arrowroot Flour: Used for thickening. This can be swapped for corn starch (optional).
• Red Chili Flakes: Adds a little heat (optional).

See recipe card below for all ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Sweet Sour Meatballs

Step 1:

Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs or almond flour, egg, onion, garlic, sea salt and pepper.

Step 2

Shape and Bake the Meatballs: Using your hands, form the meat mixture into bite-sized meatballs (about a heaping tablespoon). Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway or until the meatballs are golden brown. If using an air fryer, cook the meatballs at 375°F for 10-12 minutes.

Step 3

Prepare the Sweet and Sour Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine broth, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, tamari, coconut sugar, fresh ginger, and a pinch of chili flakes for a bit of heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the sauce starts to simmer.

Step 4

Add Peppers, Pineapple, and Optional Thickener: Add chopped red and green bell peppers, reduce to medium heat, and cook for 5-7 minutes. The sauce will slightly thicken. Stir in the pineapple. For a thicker sauce, whisk together arrowroot starch and cold water to create a slurry, and slowly add it to the sauce while stirring constantly as it thickens.

Step 5

Add Meatballs, Garnish, and Serve: Once the sauce is ready, add the baked meatballs to the saucepan. Stir well to coat in the tangy, flavorful sauce. Garnish with chopped green onions and parsley, and serve over a bed of white rice or cauliflower rice.