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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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