Description
Pineapple BBQ Meatballs: Tangy pineapple combined with savory BBQ sauce makes these meatballs a quick and crowd-pleasing favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- ½ pound (227g) ground pork
- ⅓ cup (40g) breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, finely diced (about ½ cup)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup (240ml) barbecue sauce (use your favorite brand)
- 1 can (20oz/567g) pineapple chunks, with juice (reserve ½ cup juice)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat mixture.
- Step 2: Form meatballs With slightly dampened hands, roll the meat mixture into 1½-inch balls (about golf ball size) and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each meatball. You should get approximately 24-28 meatballs. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F/71°C).
- Step 3: Prepare Pineapple BBQ sauce While the meatballs are baking, prepare your Pineapple BBQ sauce. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, combine the barbecue sauce, pineapple chunks with ½ cup of the reserved juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Thicken sauce Once the sauce begins to simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly. This pre-reduction enhances the flavors and ensures the sauce will cling beautifully to the meatballs. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash more pineapple juice or water.
- Step 5: Combine meatballs and sauce Transfer the baked meatballs directly into the simmering sauce, gently folding them in to coat completely. Allow the Pineapple BBQ Meatballs to simmer in the sauce for an additional 5-7 minutes, occasionally spooning the sauce over the top to glaze them evenly. This simmering time lets the meatballs absorb the sweet and tangy flavors while the sauce continues to thicken into a beautiful glaze.
- Step 6: Rest and serve Remove from heat and let the meatballs rest in the sauce for 5 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to set slightly, creating that perfect sticky-sweet coating. Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro for a fresh contrast to the rich Pineapple BBQ Meatballs.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg