The perfect balance of sweet and tangy, these savory Sweet and Sour Meatball Kabobs pack in a lot of healthy veggies and are as visually pretty as they are delicious! The skewers can be assembled well in advance and then thrown on the grill as soon as you’re ready to eat!
Sweet and Sour Meatball Kabobs
I love food. Â All kinds of food. Â From north, south, east and west, exploring flavors from near and far is my passion.
And I’m always looking for ways to incorporate more healthy vegetables in a way that makes them enjoyable to eat. Â I’ve mentioned in the past that I love stir-fries for that very reason: Â You can pack in a ton of veggies and choose whichever kinds you prefer.
In the summer months there’s another dish I love that accomplishes that same goal: Â Shish kabobs. Â You can layer on as many veggies as you want and if there’s a particular veggie you don’t like, substitute it for one you enjoy. Â Really, what better way to enjoy vegetables? Â Few things beat the flavor of grilled. Â Even the most flavorless of veggies come alive with a gentle searing of a smoky barbecue.
There are at least two other reasons I love shish kabobs: Â They’re so colorful! Â As important as flavor is, how the food looks goes a long, long way in enhancing the overall eating experience. Â They’re also fun to make. Â When else do you get the chance to thread juicy meat and luscious pieces of vegetables and fruits onto a bamboo skewer, slather them down with a delicious sauce then hear them sizzle on a hot grill?
And another reason: Â They’re super kid-friendly and fun to assemble. Â My kids are far more likely to eat something that they’ve helped make, how about yours? Â Having been involved in the process of making it helps remove some of the otherwise “icky-yucky” factor. Â They’ve seen, smelled and handled the food and so it becomes more interesting and less off-putting; having helped create it they’re more likely to be willing to try it.
For a fun and educational family activity, try sitting around the table with plates filled with beautiful vegetables, fruits and meats and thread some skewers together while you talk about your day.
These sweet and sour meatball skewers are a perfect time-saving, make-ahead meal. Â You can make the sauce and thread the skewers well in advance and then keep both covered and refrigerated until ready to use.
These are visually vibrant, delectably delicious, and delightfully healthy kabobs featuring a luscious homemade sweet & sour sauce. Â None of that corn syrup stuff, no food coloring, preservatives or other unmentionables. Â Adjust the selection of vegetables to meet your family’s preferences and then crank up the grill!
These Sweet and Sour Meatball Kabobs are sure to be a hit!
Sweet and Sour Meatball Kabobs Recipe
Let’s get started!
Place all ingredients for the sweet & sour sauce, except for the cornstarch, in a small saucepan. Â Bring to a simmer then stir in the cornstarch mixture and stir until thickened. Â Set aside until ready to use.
To make the meatballs, I’m using ground veal. Â Lean, tender and nutritious with a wonderfully delicate beef flavor, veal is a great option. Â Or, if you prefer, you can substitute any ground meat or poultry of your choice.
Place the ground veal, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl and knead or stir to thoroughly combine.
Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Â These can also be made in advance and kept in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the fridge until ready to be used.
This makes about 24 1-inch meatballs.
Cut the onions, bell peppers and pineapple into 1-inch pieces.
Alternately thread meatballs, peppers, onions and pineapple onto 6 skewers. Â You should have about 24 meatballs so use 4 meatballs per skewer.
Brush the kabobs with about half of the sweet and sour sauce.
Heat grill to medium-high heat.
Brush the grill grates with some oil and place the kabobs on the hot grill.
Grill the kabobs about 5-6 minutes on each side or until lightly seared and the meatballs are cooked through.
Brush the kabobs with remaining sweet and sour sauce and serve immediately.
Enjoy!
For more grilling favorites be sure to also try our:
- Grilled Steak Fajitas
- Grilled Tuna Steaks
- Grilled Salmon with Peach Jalapeno Salsa
- Jerk Chicken
- Pollo a la Brasa
Sweet and Sour Meatball Kabobs
Ingredients
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground meat of your choice (pork, chicken, pork, beef, veal or any combination of them)
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs (gluten free: Use GF breadcrumbs)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- For the Kabobs:
- 1 fresh ripe pineapple , cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 large green bell pepper , cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 large red bell pepper , cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 large yellow onions , cut into 1-inch chunks
- For the Sweet & Sour Sauce:
- 2/3 cup low sugar apricot, peach, or orange jam/marmalade
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- To make the sweet & sour sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients, except for the cornstarch, in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and stir until thickened. Set aside until ready to use.
- To make the meatballs, thoroughly combine all the meatball ingredients in a large mixing bowl and form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Yields about 24 meatballs.
- Alternately thread six bamboo or metal skewers with the meatballs (4 on each skewer), pineapple and vegetables. Brush with about half of the sweet & sour sauce.Heat the grill to medium-high heat and brush the grill grates with some oil. Grill the kabobs about 5-6 minutes on each side or until lightly seared and the meatballs are cooked through.Brush the kabobs with remaining sweet and sour sauce and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet August 3, 2016
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
Grilled sweet and sour meatball kabobs for the win!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hear, hear, Renee!!
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says
These look amazing – the glaze, the colors…just delicious!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Heather! :)
Liz says
Meatball kabobs??? LOVE this idea—and yours look spectacular!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, Liz, it’s a super fun variation on traditional kabobs!
Diana Johnson says
These look fantastic! Love that you make your own meatballs!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Diana!
Kate says
I don’t think I’ve ever had veal before (and now I’m wondering where I’ve been all this time!) and I am super intrigued by the information you’ve shared about it. I’m really looking forward to trying some veal. These grilled kabobs look absolutely heavenly, too. Thanks, Kate
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Kate, I’m glad you found this helpful and have been inspired to try veal. Happy cooking!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
Yes these are a brilliant way to sneak in those veggies! And so colorful too :)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Seriously, Ashley, I think we eat more vegetables during the Summer months as a result of grilling than any other time of the year! :) They’re just waaaay more fun to eat that way!
Amanda | The Chunky Chef says
So beautiful!! I use ground veal in my meatballs (mixed with pork and beef), but have never had 100% veal meatballs… I’ll have to give these a try!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Amanda! The pure veal has such a smooth texture and delicate flavor which is especially remarkable for something like meatballs. Everyone in my family really enjoyed them.
Julie @ Texan New Yorker says
Oh wow, these are gorgeous!! Love that you used veal, too. :)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Julie! It’s nice to change things up and the veal was perfect for these.
Jessica - The Novice Chef says
Yum! It’s so hard to find good fresh veal here without it being a production! These look great!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I hear you, Jessica, depending on the grocery store’s meat department it can be challenging to find a decent selection. Ground veal is something most grocery stores carry though, fortunately.
Candace Nielson says
Oooh, I love that you used veal here! We lived in Italy and Germany years ago while my husband was on assignment and I really miss the veal dishes we used to enjoy in the restaurants and at friends’ homes. The texture and flavor of veal is wonderful and I wish it was easier to find here. I do regularly see ground veal in grocery stores though and I like your idea of using it as a substitute for things like bolognese sauce and meatballs. Thanks and I’m looking forward to trying these kabobs! Best, Candace
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m looking forward to you trying them, Candace! Yes, that was my experience growing up in Germany and regularly visiting Italy as well. Depending on the store, yes, it can be challenging to find a variety of veal cuts. Ground veal and thin veal cutlets (eg, scaloppine) are carried in the meat departments of most grocery stores and I’ve been seeing veal steaks and veal shanks more often than I used to as well. Your local butcher will have an even better selection.
The Food Hunter says
meatball kabobs is a cool idea!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
I love anything sweet and sour and especially these colors!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Same here, Lauren, and combined with grilled food it’s seriously a match made in heaven!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
I am loving the idea of meatball shish kabobs! You are so right about versatility. Probably why they are the perfect BBQ food!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
So true, Kacey!
Cori Landon says
WOW! These look absolutely incredible! I haven’t had veal in years and for whatever reason haven’t even thought about it. I’m running to the store this evening to pick up some ground veal so I can make these Friday night for some friends. Thanks for sharing this, I cannot wait to try these scrumptious kabobs!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, Cori, I’m confident you and your guests will be very happy with these! :)
Marye says
These kabobs look amazing, I am loving the sweet and sour flavors!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Marye!