Sweet & Sour Meatball & Kielbasa Skewers
Sweet & Sour Meatball & Kielbasa Skewers
Ingredients
For the Sweet & Sour Sauce
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
For the Skewers
- 16 frozen meatballs, fully cooked, thawed
- 12 ounces smoked kielbasa, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, canned, drained
For Assembly and Garnish
- 8 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes if grilling
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the sweet and sour sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Combine the thawed meatballs and kielbasa pieces in a large bowl. Pour about 1/2 cup of the prepared sweet and sour sauce over them and toss to coat. Reserve the remaining sauce for serving.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Transfer the coated meatballs and kielbasa to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 2 hours, or until heated through and flavors have melded. This step can be done in advance.
⏱️ 120 min
- 5
While the meatballs and kielbasa are cooking, prepare the vegetables and pineapple. Thread the meatballs, kielbasa, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, and pineapple chunks onto the soaked wooden skewers, alternating ingredients for an appealing look. Aim for 2 meatballs and 2 kielbasa pieces per skewer, along with a variety of vegetables and pineapple.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Once the meatballs and kielbasa are heated through in the slow cooker, you have two options for finishing the skewers: Option 1 (Grill/Broil): Preheat a grill or broiler to medium-high heat. Lightly brush the skewers with a little of the reserved sweet and sour sauce. Grill or broil for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the vegetables are slightly tender-crisp and the ingredients have light char marks. Option 2 (Serve directly): If you prefer not to grill or broil, simply serve the skewers directly from the slow cooker.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Arrange the finished skewers on a serving platter. Drizzle with additional reserved sweet and sour sauce, if desired. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped fresh parsley.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Sweet & Sour Meatball & Kielbasa Skewers
For the Sweet & Sour Sauce
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
For the Skewers
- 16 frozen meatballs, fully cooked, thawed
- 12 ounces smoked kielbasa, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, canned, drained
For Assembly and Garnish
- 8 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes if grilling
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the sweet and sour sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Combine the thawed meatballs and kielbasa pieces in a large bowl. Pour about 1/2 cup of the prepared sweet and sour sauce over them and toss to coat. Reserve the remaining sauce for serving.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Transfer the coated meatballs and kielbasa to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 2 hours, or until heated through and flavors have melded. This step can be done in advance.
⏱️ 120 min - 5
While the meatballs and kielbasa are cooking, prepare the vegetables and pineapple. Thread the meatballs, kielbasa, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, and pineapple chunks onto the soaked wooden skewers, alternating ingredients for an appealing look. Aim for 2 meatballs and 2 kielbasa pieces per skewer, along with a variety of vegetables and pineapple.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Once the meatballs and kielbasa are heated through in the slow cooker, you have two options for finishing the skewers: Option 1 (Grill/Broil): Preheat a grill or broiler to medium-high heat. Lightly brush the skewers with a little of the reserved sweet and sour sauce. Grill or broil for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the vegetables are slightly tender-crisp and the ingredients have light char marks. Option 2 (Serve directly): If you prefer not to grill or broil, simply serve the skewers directly from the slow cooker.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Arrange the finished skewers on a serving platter. Drizzle with additional reserved sweet and sour sauce, if desired. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped fresh parsley.
⏱️ 2 min