What to Serve with Sweet and Sour Meatballs: 15+ Sides

Sweet and sour meatballs are a beloved dish by kids and adults alike and for good reason: they are the perfect balance of savory, tangy and sweet. In this post, we’ll explore 15+ fantastic ideas that will perfectly pair with your sweet and sour meatballs. From flavored rice and homemade dinner rolls to fresh salads and crunchy vegetables, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

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Whether you’re serving them at a family gathering, a casual dinner party, or simply enjoying them as a weeknight meal, let me help you find the perfect side dish to complement these flavorful meatballs!

More Meatball Recipes

Sides for Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Overhead shot of bowl of mashed potatoes topped with a pat of butter.
These Easy Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream are the most delicious mashed potatoes you will ever have. They’re light, creamy, buttery & easy to make with the help of your stand mixer.
Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream
Garlic butter rice in white bowl with serving spoon.
Ordinary white rice is transformed into the best savory side dish in this Garlic Rice recipe! Super fluffy and loaded with garlic and butter, one taste and you’ll never settle for blah rice again.
Garlic Rice
Overhead shot of Prepared asian quinoa salad in bowl with serving tongs.
This vibrant Asian Quinoa Salad has a colorful blend of fresh vegetables topped on a bed of fluffy quinoa. Dressed in a tangy vinaigrette, it’s a delicious and naturally vegan meal you can make for meal prep or a healthy dinner.
Edamame Quinoa Salad
Miso Pasta brings Japanese miso, Italian romano cheese, and lots of garlic together in a rich and creamy sauce that’s perfect for spaghetti.
Creamy Miso Pasta
Sauteed Zucchini & Squash. It’s a simple side dish that showcases sliced & seared summer squash and savory Italian flavors.
Simple Sauteed Zucchini and Summer Squash
Fluffed bowl of coconut rice.
This Rice Cooker Coconut Rice is fragrant, fluffy + easy to make with a touch of a button. The mild coconut flavor is delectable, making this simple side dish perfect for curry, stir fry, stew + more!
Easy Coconut Rice
Spaghetti squash being shredded with fork.
This easy Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash recipe is a convenient way of cooking this delicious and versatile winter squash in your crockpot!
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash
Prepared arugula salad in white bowl with serving spoons.
This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acidity of the vinaigrette.
Arugula Salad
This grilled broccolini is topped with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette and marcona almonds for a delicious crunch. It’s a perfect crowd-pleasing side dish.
Grilled Broccolini
This copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is bursting with flavor. Beautifully marinated cucumbers drizzled in chili oil is an outstanding vegetarian appetizer you can enjoy for any special occasion!
Marinated Cucumber Salad
Overhead shot of din tai fung style green beans in white serving bowl.
These copycat Din Tai Fung Green Beans are deliciously crispy and coated with lots of savory garlic and a spicy chili crisp.
Din Tai Fung Style Green Beans
Overhead close up of combined vinegar slaw in large white mixing bowl.
Vinegar Coleslaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayonnaise. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.
Red Cabbage Coleslaw
Mashed Cauliflower is a delicious, low carb & keto friendly side dish. With 5 flavor variations and instructions for making it on the stove or in the Instant Pot.
Mashed Cauliflower
Toasty, buttery, herby, covered in a dusting of salty parmesan cheese, piping hot and fresh out of the oven—our homemade garlic bread recipe is everything you're craving right now, and then some.
Recipe: The Modern Proper
Garlic Bread
Simple recipe for homemade dinner rolls makes beautifully golden brown rolls with a soft, fluffy texture. You won’t believe how easy it is!
Recipe: Handle the Heat
Fluffy Dinner Rolls
These fresh spring rolls are a light and healthy appetizer or main dish. Crunchy veggies, green onions, peanuts and cilantro are wrapped together then dipped in the most delicious peanut sauce!
Recipe: Joy Food Sunshine
Fresh Summer Rolls
Fresh, healthy, and delicious side dish of sauteed mushrooms and zucchini! Perfectly seasoned and pan fried to perfection, this Skillet Zucchini and Mushrooms recipe is ready in just 20 minutes!
Recipe: Diethood
Sauteed Mushrooms with Zucchini

More Side Dish Ideas

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Close up of garlic rice in serving bowl.

15+ Ideas of What to Serve with Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Sweet and sour meatballs are a beloved dish by kids and adults alike and for good reason: they are the perfect balance of savory, tangy and sweet. In this post, we’ll explore 15+ fantastic ideas that will perfectly pair with your sweet and sour meatballs. From flavored rice and homemade dinner rolls to fresh salads and crunchy vegetables, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Try this garlic rice.
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large sauce pan, heat the olive oil and 2 TBSP butter over medium high heat. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until it turns golden and becomes fragrant.
  • Add the rice and toast the grains for 1 minute, until it becomes translucent.
  • Add the broth and salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15-18 minutes, until the rice is tender.
  • Remove from heat and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork then stir in the remaining butter and parsley. Season with additional salt, to taste. Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 694mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 292IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

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