Pineapple Meatballs

Sweet, tangy, and irresistibly savory, Pineapple Meatballs are a crowd-pleasing fusion of bold flavors that make any dinner or gathering unforgettable. Juicy, oven-baked meatballs are paired with tender pineapple chunks and coated in a glossy, homemade sweet-and-sour sauce made from pineapple juice, ketchup, brown sugar, and a hint of soy sauce. This quick and easy recipe combines the zesty brightness of tropical fruit with the hearty richness of seasoned ground beef, delivering a perfect balance of textures and tastes. Ready in under 45 minutes, these meatballs can be served over steamed rice as a complete meal or presented as finger food for parties. Whether you're looking for a flavorful twist on comfort food or an exotic appetizer, Pineapple Meatballs are a delightful way to showcase bold, satisfying flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 0.75 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks (canned, in juice)
• 0.5 cup ketchup
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined.

Step 3

Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. You should have about 20-24 meatballs.

Step 4

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly browned.

Step 5

While the meatballs are baking, drain the pineapple chunks, reserving the juice. Set the pineapple chunks aside.

Step 6

In a medium saucepan, combine the reserved pineapple juice, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Stir well and bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the saucepan while stirring constantly, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Step 8

In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the baked meatballs and cook for 1-2 minutes to give them a slight crust.

Step 9

Pour the thickened sauce over the meatballs in the skillet and gently stir to coat. Add the pineapple chunks and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 10

Serve the pineapple meatballs hot over steamed rice or as an appetizer with toothpicks.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1395.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2021.0

Total Fat 104.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.4g
Cholesterol 520.6mg	0%
Sodium 4709.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 192.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.2g	0%
Total Sugars 125.2g
Protein 96.2g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 214.7mg	0%
Iron 13.0mg	0%
Potassium 1956.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.9%

Protein: 18.4%

Carbs: 36.7%