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hot_biteEasyHawaiian-American

Hawaiian BBQ Meatballs

Tender meatballs glazed in sweet pineapple-brown sugar sauce

⏱️ Prep: 20min🍳 Cook: 30min⏰ Total: 50min👥 Serves: 36🌡️ hot
⚠️ Contains: 🌾 Gluten, 🥚 Egg

Ingredients

  • 2 lbsground beef(or beef/pork mix)
  • 1 cupbreadcrumbs
  • 2eggs
  • 1 cancrushed pineapple(20 oz, drained, juice reserved)
  • 1 cupbrown sugar(packed)
  • 0.5 cupketchup
  • 0.25 cupsoy sauce
  • 2 tbsprice vinegar
  • 2green onions(sliced, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F; mix beef, breadcrumbs, and eggs; roll into 1-inch meatballs
  2. Bake meatballs on sheet pan for 15-18 minutes until cooked through
  3. Combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, and vinegar in large pan
  4. Simmer sauce until thickened, about 10 minutes
  5. Add baked meatballs and crushed pineapple; stir to coat
  6. Transfer to serving dish; garnish with green onions and serve with toothpicks

💡 Pro Tips

Use a mix of beef and pork for best texture. Crushed pineapple in the sauce adds authentic texture. Slow cooker method keeps them warm for parties. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion for presentation.

📜 History

Pineapple-glazed meatballs became a party staple in mid-century America, perfectly aligned with the tiki craze. The sweet-savory combination echoes Hawaiian cooking traditions where pineapple was paired with grilled meats at luaus.

🍸 Pairs Well With

Also pairs well with:

rumbourbon