Pineapple BBQ Meatballs

Pineapple BBQ Meatballs are delicious homemade meatballs smothered in a pineapple BBQ sauce you can whip up from scratch in 5 minutes. Serve them over rice with an Asian-inspired coleslaw for a healthy family meal.

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

1 pound ground turkey lean beef or pork

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 dried garlic powder

1 cup finely diced pineapple OR canned crushed pineapple

Instructions

Make the meatballs:

Mix the ingredients: Place all ingredients EXCEPT for the oil in a large bowl. Using a handheld mixer, mix very well until everything is evenly incorporated and sticks together. If you don't have a handheld mixer, you'll have to use your hands to knead the ingredients together very well.

Shape meatballs: Using about 1.5 teaspoons of meat mix per meatball, shape meatballs and place them on a lightly oiled baking sheet. For a nicer shape, freeze them for 10 minutes (but this is entirely optional! Just for looks).

Bake meatballs: Preheat the oven to 410°F. Bake the meatballs for 10-12 minutes or until browned and no longer pink in the middle.

While the meatballs are baking, make the sauce:

Whisk all ingredients for the sauce EXCEPT for the pineapple together in a large skillet. Stir in the pineapple, then bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until thickened. Set aside.

Finish the dish:

Place the baked meatballs in the skillet with the sauce and put it back over low head. Gently toss the meatballs with the sauce until they're nicely glazed.