Sweet And Sour Sauce(For Swedish Meat Balls)

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves: 4 Cuisine: Chinese

Sweet and tangy sauce featuring pineapple, green peppers, and cherries, perfect for Swedish meatballs. Rich, flavorful, and vibrant, it complements savory dishes beautifully.

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Ingredients

  • 1 can chicken broth
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup corn syrup
  • 3 large green peppers
  • 1 large can chunk pineapple
  • 12 maraschino cherries

Instructions

  1. In a pan, put 1/2 cup chicken broth and stir in the cornstarch until dissolved.
  2. Add the remaining broth, soy sauce, vinegar, and corn syrup to the pan.
  3. Cook until the mixture thickens and becomes clear.
  4. Add pineapple chunks, green peppers, and maraschino cherries to the sauce.
  5. Cook for 5 minutes.
  6. Pour the sweet and sour sauce over cooked meatballs.
  7. Serve with steamed rice.

Tips & Substitutions

For a thicker sauce, you can increase the cornstarch slightly, but be sure to dissolve it well in broth first to avoid lumps. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add more corn syrup or even a bit of brown sugar. Green bell peppers can be substituted with red or yellow for a milder flavor. This sauce also complements other dishes like Hamburger Hash Chinese Style.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the sweet and sour sauce over Swedish meatballs for a delightful meal. Pair it with steamed rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. For a complete dinner, consider adding a side of stir-fried vegetables or a light salad. This dish also works well as an appetizer at parties, making it a versatile option.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover sweet and sour sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently until heated through. It can also be microwaved in short intervals, but be sure to cover it to prevent splattering.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Sweet And Sour Sauce(For Swedish Meat Balls) contains roughly 764 calories, with 2g protein, 187g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (55% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and iron. It also contributes 4g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.

764 kcal 38% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 2.3g 5% DV
Total Fat 0.5g 1% DV
Carbs 186.7g 68% DV
Fiber 4.2g 15% DV
Sugar 50g 100% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 298.6mg 13% DV
Potassium 480.5mg 10% DV
Cholesterol 0.5mg

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 10.2mcg 1% DV
Vitamin C 49.2mg 55% DV
Calcium 90.2mg 7% DV
Iron 2.5mg 14% DV
Diet fit Low-fat
Contains Soy

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Yes, you can definitely use fresh pineapple! Just ensure that it is cut into similar-sized chunks as the canned variety. Fresh pineapple will add a vibrant flavor to the sauce and a nice texture, but you may need to adjust the amount of added sugar, depending on its sweetness.

What can I substitute for cornstarch?

If you don't have cornstarch, you can use all-purpose flour as an alternative, but you'll need to use about twice the amount. Mix it with a little cold water to create a slurry before adding it to the sauce to ensure it thickens properly without clumping.

How can I make this sauce spicier?

To add some heat to your sweet and sour sauce, consider incorporating a dash of chili sauce or red pepper flakes during cooking. You can also sauté some minced garlic or ginger along with the vegetables for an extra kick, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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