Ree Drummond, famously known as the Pioneer Woman, has a treasure trove of recipes that resonate with home cooks looking for delicious and comforting meals. Among these, her sweet and sour meatballs recipe stands out as a timeless classic, perfect for family dinners and gatherings. Featured on her show highlighting old-fashioned comfort foods, this dish exemplifies why some recipes become enduring favorites.
The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond smiling in a promotional photo for her cooking show, highlighting her sweet and sour meatballs recipe.
Crafting the Perfect Pioneer Woman Sweet and Sour Sauce
Drummond herself emphasizes the sauce as the star of this sweet and sour meatballs recipe. In her episode, she walks viewers through creating this flavorful element. The foundation of the sauce is a delightful blend of pineapple juice, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and ketchup. These ingredients are combined in a pot and brought to a simmer, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
To achieve the signature thick and glossy texture of a classic sweet and sour sauce, Drummond employs a simple yet effective technique: a slurry. This involves mixing cornstarch with a bit of pineapple juice until smooth, and then stirring it into the simmering sauce. As she explains, this slurry is her go-to method for adding body to Asian-inspired sauces, ensuring the perfect consistency to coat the meatballs.
Ree Drummond’s Go-To Meatball Recipe for Sweet and Sour
While the sauce is simmering and thickening, Drummond reaches for a secret weapon – pre-made meatballs from her freezer. She reveals that she always keeps a batch of her homemade meatballs ready to go, a testament to her efficient and family-oriented cooking style. These aren’t just any meatballs; they are her “go-to recipe,” made in large batches and frozen for ultimate convenience.
What makes Ree Drummond’s meatballs so special? The recipe is a harmonious mix of ground beef, seasoned bread crumbs, and a medley of flavor enhancers. Salt, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, grainy mustard for depth, and a touch of richness from whole milk and heavy cream are all incorporated. Fresh parsley and eggs bind the mixture together perfectly. After mixing, the meatballs are rolled, flash-frozen, and then stored, ready to be deployed in dishes like this sweet and sour delight. Importantly, Drummond adds the frozen meatballs directly into the hot sauce, leveraging the sauce’s heat to thaw and cook them perfectly.
To further enhance the dish, she adds diced bell peppers and a dash of sriracha for an extra layer of spice, creating a balanced and vibrant flavor profile. The pot is then covered and left to simmer for a brief 8 minutes, allowing the meatballs to absorb the sweet and sour goodness. Finally, canned pineapple chunks are stirred in, adding a burst of tropical sweetness that complements the savory meatballs and tangy sauce. Ree Drummond recommends serving these Pioneer Woman Sweet And Sour Meatballs over fluffy rice, garnished with fresh green onions for a pop of color and freshness.
A Pioneer Woman Recipe That’s a Guaranteed Hit
The positive reviews for Ree Drummond’s sweet and sour meatballs speak volumes about its deliciousness and ease of preparation. Home cooks rave about the recipe, with comments highlighting its simplicity and crowd-pleasing flavor. Many reviewers note that it’s a recipe requested again and again by family members, solidifying its status as a weeknight dinner winner. Some even compare it to the quality of takeout, praising its “perfect in every way” taste.
For those eager to try this beloved comfort food recipe, the full details are available on the Food Network website, ready to bring the Pioneer Woman’s sweet and sour meatballs magic to your own kitchen.
