Sweet and savory Pineapple Meatballs are a perfectly easy appetizer for parties and get-togethers or a delicious side dish for dinner.
Pineapple Meatballs make the perfect party food for any occasion – a tasty variation of our BBQ Meatballs. Just add a few dips and desserts and you have quite the shindig!
Hawaiian Meatballs
Pineapple Meatballs are too easy and delicious NOT to try. We have several meatball recipes that we love (like Crockpot Meatballs and Swedish Meatballs). I’m happy to report that this Hawaiian Meatball Recipe is beyond simple and SO tasty!!
Enjoy these meatballs for dinner or as a side dish or appetizer. They’d be great for parties and get-togethers as well. Just add toothpicks and let everyone chow down!
Adding the pineapples enhances the sweet and salty flavor found in regular BBQ Meatballs. If you aren’t as much a fan of the sweet and spicy, omit the pineapple chunks, but trust me when I say they add so much flavor.
If you’d rather make Homemade Meatballs that are even tastier (instead of the frozen ones), try THIS RECIPE.
Quick + Easy!
SAUCE. Add barbecue sauce and crushed pineapple to a medium pot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
BAKE. Add meatballs and stir until all coated. Bring to a boil and simmer for 8-10 minutes if meatballs are thawed or for 14-16 minutes if using frozen meatballs.
SERVE. Serve immediately. ENJOY!
Cook in a slow cooker: Combine the sauce ingredients, coat the meatballs in the sauce, and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
Recipe Tips + Variations
Homemade meatballs. Easily use Homemade Meatballs to make this recipe. You can also use any type of meat including ground beef, ground Turkey Meatballs, or vegetarian meatballs. Brown them before cooking.
Pineapple. Instead of using canned pineapple, cut up a fresh pineapple. The pineapple will cook up sweetly as the dish simmers. You may need to add a few tablespoons of water or pineapple juice to compensate for the lack of juice that would have come from the can of pineapples.
Variations:
- use pineapple chunks instead of crushed
- mix in diced bell peppers
- add heat with crushed red peppers
- top cooked meatballs with sliced green onion, chopped cilantro, or sesame seeds
- sweeten the dish by adding a bit of brown sugar
We have so many tasty meatballs on our site: BBQ Meatballs, Asian Meatballs, Porcupine Meatballs, Italian Meatballs, and Grape Jelly Meatballs to name a few!
Storing Info + SERVING IDEAS
Make ahead freezer meal. Combine all of the ingredients in a Freezer Ziploc. Label and keep in the freezer. Thaw overnight before cooking.
STORE leftover Pineapple Meatballs in an airtight container for up to a week and reheat them in the microwave until warmed through.
FREEZE Hawaiian Meatballs in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat them in the microwave or on the stove with some added BBQ sauce.
What to serve with Pineapple Meatballs?
These are great all on their own but also pair well with other foods to make a delicious dish.
- On top of our best Mashed Potatoes
- Toast a Potato Roll and make a sandwich
- Served over Cauliflower Rice or normal rice
- Nestle each meatball in the center of a piece of butter lettuce
For more meatball recipes, check out:
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Buffet Meatballs
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Crockpot Meatballs
- Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Pineapple Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce
- 1/2 cup Canned Crushed Pineapple (undrained)
- 16 oz Meatballs
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Add barbecue sauce and crushed pineapple to a medium pot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
- Add meatballs and stir until all coated. Bring to a boil and simmer for 8-10 minutes if meatballs are thawed or for 14-16 minutes if meatballs are frozen.
- Serve immediately. ENJOY!
Yum – thank you.
Sure looks yummy. Thanks Kristyn.
I just made this for a cocktail get together happening this evening. I cut up some green pepper also because I needed to use it. I am very pleased. It is a yummy recipe and look forward to hearing what my friends have to say. It cannot get any easier than this recipe. I used the “Sweet Baby Ray’ Sweet & Spicy” sauce.
Thanks, love Pintrest
Awesome!! I hope they enjoy them!! Thanks so much for letting me know and trying these delicious meatballs!!
I can’t wait to try these. I have been looking for any easy food to prepare for my 50th birthday party. Thanks!!
These would be perfect for a party!! Hope everyone loves them! Have fun!
Will this work in a crock pot? I want to do these for a pot luck, but need to crock pot them. It sounds delish and a nice break from the grape jelly one that everyone makes.
I personally haven’t tried yet. I bet they would work. If you try doing that, I would love to know how they turn out! Thank you!
Yes, I made them in the crockpot. They were awesome. I cooked them on low for about 6 hours.
Thank you Rhonda for sharing that!
Thanks for returning and letting us know!
I would also like to use the crockpot
You definitely could! I haven’t tried yet, but I bet they’d be great!
I cooked these in a crockpot for about 6 hours on low. They were amazing!
OMG,
MADE THESE IN MY SLOW COOKER USED PINEAPPLE CHUNCKS THEY WERE A HIT, THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT!
WILL MAKE THESE AGAIN FOR MY BROTHERS OVER THE HILL B-DAY PARTY????
Yay!!! Thanks so much for sharing! Glad they are a hit 🙂
Chunks are a great idea and maybe some green pepper, onion
Wish i had of thought of that. Mine are cooking in the stove
These are amazing…so easy and everyone loves them, kids and adults. They are my go-to appetizer. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Thank you for sharing that!! And, I agree 🙂
Can you make these in the crock pot and with homemade meatballs?
You sure could 🙂
Would you cook the meatballs before or put them in the crockpot raw?
If you are making homemade meatballs, then I would brown them, yes 🙂
May i ask How you can make this for a crowd? I want to make it for 30 people, could i make the sayce and pour it over the meatballs in a larfe tray than simmer it in the oven? Would it cone out ok?
You could just double or triple the recipe & cook the same. I have not tried the oven, but you could bake them, too.
Easy and quick recipe. I tried this recipe and we all Loved it. This morning I am up preparing them again for a potluck at work. These are so delicious.
Thank you for sharing the recipe with co-workers! Hope it’s a hit!
Tasty, bite-sized pieces of deliciousness!! Perfect for entertaining! Everyone loves them!
These meatballs are so quick and flavorful!
I’m glad your commenters shared the crock pot info. It was my first question after reading the recipe. The addition of pineapple sound so delicious. I can’t wait to try it out
I love the taste of sweet and savory. This is one of the perfect recipes I’ve ever known! Thanks a lot for sharing!
I love making these anytime I have guests over! They are so tasty & easy to make!
The perfect little appetizer that pairs up well with any meal.