Juicy Pineapple BBQ Meatballs Recipe: Sweet Smoky Delight

Sizzling summer gatherings demand a showstopper appetizer that keeps everyone coming back for more.

These pineapple BBQ meatballs burst with tangy tropical flavors that dance across your taste buds.

Juicy ground beef mingles with sweet and smoky pineapple BBQ sauce, creating an irresistible combination that screams backyard party.

Each tender, perfectly seasoned meatball delivers a punch of unexpected deliciousness that surprises and delights.

The balance of savory and sweet makes these bites impossible to resist.

Simple ingredients and quick preparation mean you can whip up this crowd-pleasing dish in no time.

Hungry guests won’t be able to stop at just one of these mouthwatering meatballs.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Pineapple BBQ Meatballs Ingredient Breakdown

• Ground Meat: Provides hearty protein foundation, choose lean blend for balanced texture.
• Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and depth, select fresh firm onions for best flavor.
• Garlic: Infuses robust aromatic essence, choose plump cloves with smooth skin.
• Scallion: Introduces mild onion brightness, pick vibrant green tops.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together, ensure fresh room temperature egg.
• Breadcrumbs: Creates tender meatball structure, use fine-textured crumbs.
• Sesame Seeds: Adds nutty crunch, select raw untoasted seeds.
• Cilantro: Brings fresh herbaceous note, choose bright green leaves.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning, use kosher or sea salt.
• Pepper: Provides gentle heat, freshly ground offers best flavor.

• Pineapple Juice: Creates tangy base, choose 100% pure juice.
• Soy Sauce: Adds umami depth, select low-sodium version.
• Tomato Paste: Provides rich concentrated flavor, use dark red paste.
• Cornstarch: Thickens sauce naturally, ensure fresh without clumps.
• Molasses: Introduces deep caramel undertone, opt for robust dark variety.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness, select raw unprocessed type.
• Sesame Oil: Delivers nutty complexity, choose toasted version.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes complex savory note, pick traditional brand.
• Ground Ginger: Infuses warm spiciness, ensure fresh ground powder.
• Garlic Powder: Provides consistent flavor, select fine-ground variety.

• Diced Pineapple: Offers sweet-tangy burst, choose ripe golden fruit.
• Rice/Noodles: Serves as complementary base, select fluffy long-grain rice.

Tools to Mix and Bake BBQ Meatballs

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining and mixing meatball ingredients thoroughly.
• Handheld mixer or hands: Perfect for blending meat mixture evenly.
• Baking sheet: Lightly oiled surface for placing and baking meatballs.
• Measuring spoons: Accurate for portioning meatball mixture.
• Large skillet: Needed for preparing and simmering the sauce.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting board: For chopping pineapple and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: To dice pineapple precisely.
• Oven: For baking meatballs to golden perfection.

How to Cook Pineapple BBQ Meatballs Simply

• Meatball Mixture

Blend ground meat with aromatic herbs, spices, and binding ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Ensure all components are thoroughly combined for a harmonious flavor profile.

• Meatball Shaping

Form small, round portions of the meat mixture, placing them carefully on a lightly greased baking surface. A quick chill can help maintain their shape if desired.

• Oven Preparation

Heat the oven to a high temperature. Bake the meatballs until they develop a golden-brown exterior and reach a fully cooked internal temperature.

• Tangy Pineapple Glaze

Create a vibrant sauce by whisking together tropical fruit juice, savory condiments, and sweet elements in a skillet. Allow the mixture to bubble and thicken, creating a glossy coating.

• Flavor Fusion

Gently coat the baked meatballs in the luscious pineapple sauce, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly glazed with the rich, tangy mixture.

• Serving Suggestion

Present the glazed meatballs as a mouthwatering appetizer or pair with your favorite grain for a complete meal that tantalizes the taste buds.

Tips to Get the Right Sweet and Tangy Kick

• Freeze the meat mixture briefly for 10 minutes to help meatballs hold their shape and prevent crumbling during cooking.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
• Experiment with additional sauce ingredients like sriracha, chili flakes, or orange zest to create a personalized flavor twist that elevates the dish's taste.
• Prepare meatballs and sauce separately up to two days in advance, storing them in airtight containers in the refrigerator for quick and convenient meal preparation.

Serve Meatballs for Parties or Dinners

• Tropical Party Platter: Arrange meatballs on a wooden board with toothpicks, surrounded by fresh pineapple chunks and sprinkled with chopped green onions for a festive, island-inspired presentation.
• Quick Lunch Bowl: Serve meatballs over steamed jasmine rice, drizzle extra sauce, and top with sesame seeds and sliced scallions for a balanced, satisfying meal that's ready in minutes.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Transform these meatballs into a delicious slider by nestling them in mini Hawaiian rolls, adding a slice of grilled pineapple and a crisp lettuce leaf for extra crunch and flavor.
• Asian-Inspired Lettuce Wraps: Create interactive dining by serving meatballs with butter lettuce leaves, allowing guests to build their own wraps with extra sauce and fresh herbs like cilantro or mint.

Best Way to Store BBQ Meatballs

• Smart Batch Cooking: Whip up a double batch of these savory meatballs and stash extras in meal-prep containers for quick weeknight dinners or grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
• Chilled Storage Strategy: Refrigerate cooked meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring they stay fresh and delicious for multiple meals without losing flavor intensity.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Pack cooled meatballs in freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags, separating layers with parchment paper. These tasty bites can hibernate in the freezer for up to 3 months, ready to rescue busy dinner plans.
• Reheating Magic: Revive refrigerated or thawed meatballs by gently warming them in a skillet with a splash of extra sauce, or microwave in short bursts to maintain their juicy texture and prevent drying out.

Tangy Pineapple BBQ Meatballs Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Savory Pineapple BBQ Meatballs blend tender ground beef with sweet-tangy pineapple sauce in a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Hawaiian-inspired flavors create an irresistible dish you’ll want to serve at gatherings and parties.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (454 g) ground turkey (or lean beef)
• 1 cup (240 ml) pineapple juice
• 1 cup finely diced pineapple (or canned crushed pineapple)
• 1 large egg
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 tbsps low-sodium soy sauce
• 4 tbsps tomato paste
• 3 tbsps breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsps cornstarch
• 2 tbsps honey
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp molasses (not blackstrap)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil (optional)
• 1 scallion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 handful cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Oil for baking

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Instructions

1. Prep Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground meat with finely chopped aromatics, egg, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. Blend thoroughly using hands or mixer until ingredients are uniformly distributed and cohesive.
2. Form Meatballs: Shape meat mixture into consistent spherical forms, approximately 1.5 teaspoons each. Arrange on a lightly greased baking sheet, optionally chilling for 10 minutes to enhance structural integrity.
3. Roast Meatballs: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 410°F. Roast meatballs for 10-12 minutes until exterior turns golden-brown and interior reaches complete doneness.
4. Craft Glaze: In a large skillet, whisk tropical juice, umami-rich condiments, sweet syrups, and aromatic spices. Incorporate diced tropical fruit and bring to a gentle boil, stirring continuously to prevent scorching.
5. Finish Sauce: Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce transforms into a luxurious, glossy consistency. Transfer roasted meatballs directly into prepared sauce, gently coating each morsel with vibrant glaze.
6. Serve: Tenderly toss meatballs in sauce over low heat, ensuring complete coverage. Present warm, accompanied by steamed rice or delicate noodles for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Chill for Firmness: Refrigerating meatballs for 10 minutes helps them maintain shape and prevents crumbling during cooking.
• Uniform Size Matters: Use a small scoop or tablespoon to create consistent meatball sizes, ensuring even cooking and professional presentation.
• Prevent Sticking: Lightly grease the baking sheet or use parchment paper to easily remove meatballs and prevent unwanted sticking.
• Sauce Stirring Technique: Continuously stir the sauce while simmering to develop rich flavors and prevent burning, creating a glossy, smooth glaze.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 70mg