One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (2024)

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Whole 30No Added Sugar

These easy one-skillet sweet and sour meatballs are perfect for weeknights, packed with flavor and kid approved! They’re gluten free, paleo and there’s a Whole30 option to sweeten the sauce with dates. They’re sodelicious served over cauliflower rice, paleo noodles or yourfavoriteroasted veggies.

One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (1)

I’m all about the one-skillet meals lately every single time I cook!

And, while this isn’t a completeone-skillet meal (unless you throw your side dish in the skillet!) it’s super easy and really quick.

They’re ready in 25 minutes and oh-so-tasty! Tasty as in, my-pickiest-eaters-love them.

One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (2)

What You Need to Make One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These meatballs use simple ingredients – many that you probably already have on hand.

The sauce can be sweetened either with maple syrup, or with date paste or syrup for a Whole30 version. Here’s what you’ll need to prepare the meatballs:

Meatballs:

Sauce:

  • Paleo ketchup (Primal Kitchen, Tessemae’s, or homemade)
  • 100% pineapple juice
  • maple syrup or date paste/syrup, for Whole30
  • rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • fresh garlic, minced
  • freshly grated ginger
  • hot sauce (optional)
  • sea salt + black pepper
  • arrowroot flour, or tapioca

One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (3)

How to Make Paleo Sweet and Sour Meatballs:

In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients and mix well with your hands. Heat a large heavy, deep skillet (nonstick is easier, or a well-seasoned cast iron) over medium heat and add the oil.

Roll the meatball mixture into 1.25” balls and place in hot skillet (you’ll make about 20-22) brown the meatballs, turning with a spoon just once or twice. You won’t cook them through just yet.

Once the outsides are browned, pour the sauce into skillet over the meatballs. Simmer meatballs in the sauce for 5 mins or until the sauce is thickened and the meatballs are just cooked through. Turn the meatballs a few times to evenly coat with sauce as they cook. The sauce will thicken even more as it cools after cooking.

Sprinkle green onions all over meatballs and sauce. Now it’s time to decide what to serve with your sweet and sour meatballs!

One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (4)

What To Serve with Sweet and Sour Meatballs

I personally love these meatballs served fried or sautéed cauliflower rice but there are absolutely other options if that’s not your thing.

Paleo noodles – either veggie noodles like zucchini, sweet potato, or butternut, OR pasta made with cassava flour like from Jovial would be delicious.

You can also go super simple and serve these meatballs alongside your favorite roasted or stir fried veggies like broccoli, peppers, onions, etc.

One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (5)

I hope you’re ready for an easy, delicious and fun dinner that also happens to be healthy!

Forget the takeout and let’s make these one-skillet paleo sweet and sour meatballs – grab your ingredients and a big skillet because it’s time to cook – let’s go!

One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo}

One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (6)

One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo}

These easy one-skillet sweet and sour meatballs are perfect for weeknights, packed with flavor and kid approved! They're gluten free, paleo and there's a Whole30 option to sweet the sauce with dates. They're sodelicious served over cauliflower rice, paleo noodles or yourfavoriteroasted veggies.

Author: Michele Rosen

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

Sauce:

  • 1/3cupPaleo ketchupPrimal Kitchen, Tessemae’s, or homemade
  • 3/4cup100% pineapple juice
  • 2Tbspmaple syrup or date paste/syrupfor Whole30
  • 1/3cuprice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 3clovesgarlicminced
  • 2tspfresh grated ginger
  • 1/2-1tsphot sauceoptional
  • 1/2tspsea salt
  • 1/2tspblack pepper
  • 1Tbsp.arrowroot flouror tapioca
  • Sea salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients and mix well with your hands.

  2. Heat a large heavy, deep skillet (nonstick is easier, or a well-seasoned cast iron) over medium heat and add the oil.

  3. Roll the meatball mixture into 1.25” balls and place in hot skillet (you’ll make about 20-22) brown the meatballs, turning with a spoon just once or twice. You won’t cook them through just yet.

  4. Once outsides are browned, pour the sauce into skillet over the meatballs. Simmer meatballs in the sauce for 5 mins or until the sauce is thickened and the meatballs are just cooked through. Turn the meatballs a few times to evenly coat with sauce as they cook. The sauce will thicken even more as it cools after cooking.

  5. Sprinkle green onions all over meatballs and sauce and serve over sautéed cauliflower rice, roasted broccoli or any veggies you like. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcal

Carbohydrates: 14g

Protein: 22g

Fat: 24g

Saturated Fat: 8g

Cholesterol: 106mg

Sodium: 675mg

Potassium: 407mg

Fiber: 1g

Sugar: 8g

Vitamin A: 40IU

Vitamin C: 4mg

Calcium: 42mg

Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @PaleoRunningMomma on Instagram and hashtag it #PaleoRunningMomma

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One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (11)

About Michele

More than a little into running and paleo recipes (yoga now too!) but I'm not here to rain on your grains (or anything else) so come along for the ride! I do a little too much of everything (except cleaning), and I enjoy laughing at myself. As long as I'm the one making the jokes, that is. Just kidding. So bring me your angst, your appetite and your frying pan and climb aboard!

Reader Interactions

Reader Reviews & Comments

  1. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (12)Marjorie says

    Can’t wait to make these! You are and have been my go-to for paleo/Whole30 recipes.. Thank you for all your hard work. PS. Is the date paste something I can make or buy? Did I miss the note on that .. :-/ Thanks again Michele 🙂

    Reply

  2. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (13)Reagan says

    Sounds so good! For the sauce, do you just mix all the ingredients in a bowl and then pour over the meatballs to simmer? Thanks!

    Reply

  3. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (14)Wendi Leonard says

    My daughter can’t eat tomatoes. Do you have any recommendations for a substitute for ketchup?

    Reply

  4. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (15)nikki says

    One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (16)
    oh man this is good.

    Reply

  5. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (17)Adriane says

    Hello, how big is the skillet you use for this dish. THANK you

    Reply

  6. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (18)Melanie says

    One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (19)
    I made these today for a family of 6. It was a hit with everyone, including a toddler and a picky teenager. We ate with rice and broccoli . Thank you for making amazing recipes! I haven’t found one everyone didn’t love.

    Reply

  7. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (20)Jo-Ann Osipow says

    One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (21)
    Easy to make and very tasty!

    Reply

  8. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (22)Erin says

    One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (23)
    I’ve made these a couple of times now. They’re easier than I thought and are a family favorite! Thank you!

    Reply

  9. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (24)Rachel says

    I just made this for dinner last night. The sauce is amazing!!!!! I paired it with cauliflower rice that I cooked with ginger and pineapple chunks. Thank you for sharing this recipe. New family favorite!!!!

    Reply

  10. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (25)Valerie says

    What could I use to replace the egg in this recipe?

    Reply

  11. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (26)Amber Marshall says

    The egg is mostly just a binder, and really isn’t necessary. You can skip the egg. If you find yourself needing something to make the meatballs bind a little more, I find that dried chopped onions do pretty well and add a little flavor.

    Reply

  12. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (27)Courtney says

    Could I use Cassava flour instead of Almond/Tapioca? I am allergic to both tapioca and almond.

    Reply

  13. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (28)MEOKTWI says

    I love reading articles about 먹튀검증사이트 . Read this article for stylish, useful and innovative ideas that will make your life easier. Thanks for writing such a great article.

    Reply

  14. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (29)EZGo Travel says

    One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (30)
    Embarking on a Bali journey with EZGo Travel was an absolute delight! Their meticulous planning and local expertise added a layer of authenticity to every temple, beach, and cultural experience. Bali’s beauty came alive through their well-organized tour. Kudos to EZGo Travel for making my adventure unforgettable!

    Reply

  15. One-Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Paleo} The Paleo Running Momma (31)Mary says

    Can you make this in a crockpot?

    Reply

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