Description
Pineapple BBQ Meatballs offer a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, making them a delicious dish for any occasion. The meatballs, made with ground turkey (or beef), are juicy and flavorful, thanks to the addition of garlic, onion, and fresh cilantro. The real star of the dish, however, is the tangy pineapple BBQ sauce. Made with pineapple juice, soy sauce, and honey, it adds a luscious glaze that complements the tender meatballs beautifully.
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
1 pound ground turkey (or lean beef)
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 scallion, finely chopped
1 large egg
3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 handful cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Oil for baking
For the sauce:
1 cup pineapple juice
4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
4 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon molasses (not blackstrap)
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup finely diced pineapple (or canned crushed pineapple)
Instructions
Prepare the Meatballs:
In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, onion, garlic, scallion, egg, breadcrumbs, sesame seeds, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Using a handheld mixer or your hands, mix the ingredients thoroughly until evenly incorporated.
Shape the Meatballs:
Using about 1.5 teaspoons of the meat mixture per meatball, shape them into balls and place them on a lightly oiled baking sheet. For a more uniform shape, you can freeze the meatballs for 10 minutes, though this step is optional.
Bake the Meatballs:
Preheat the oven to 410°F (210°C). Bake the meatballs for 10-12 minutes, or until browned and no longer pink in the middle.
Prepare the Sauce:
While the meatballs are baking, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, tomato paste, cornstarch, molasses, honey, sesame oil (if using), Worcestershire sauce, ground ginger, and garlic powder in a large skillet. Stir in the diced pineapple. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking constantly, and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Set aside.
Finish the Dish:
Once the meatballs are baked, place them in the skillet with the sauce. Over low heat, gently toss the meatballs in the sauce until they are evenly glazed.
Serve the meatballs warm, either as an appetizer or as a main dish paired with rice or noodles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 350