Enjoy a staycation at home with these sweet, tangy, and aromatic Hawaiian Meatballs.
Living in the United States can sometimes begin to feel like everything is traffic lights, highways, and a whole lot of gray. When it’s been a minute since you went on a well-deserved vacation, this cycle of gray can be a little overwhelming, so I like to make a little magic at home where I can. A jaw-dropping vacation to the stunning state of Hawaii? Not currently feasible for me. But a comforting dinner inspired by Hawaiian cuisine? Now that’s something I can do!
So let’s talk Hawaiian meatballs. They’re tender and nourishing balls of ground beef and turkey, absolutely smothered in a sweet and tangy Polynesian-inspired pineapple sauce. Woah, I think my stomach just growled. Not only are they immensely tasty, but the smell! The smell spreads through my house, wrapping me in a warm hug. Waiting for the meatballs in the oven is almost as enjoyable as actually biting into them – emphasis on almost. As I love the flavors of pineapple, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cilantro, each bite to me is a little sliver of heaven. I can close my eyes and pretend I’m on vacation in Hawaii as I sit on my comfy little couch. And you can too, so let’s continue on!
Are Hawaiian Meatballs Healthy?
Hawaiian meatballs include several elements that contribute to a well-balanced and nutritious meal. The use of ground turkey mixed in with the ground beef provides a good source of protein (38g per serving – woohoo!) while reducing the levels of saturated fat compared to using beef alone. Pineapple provides many health benefits, including aiding digestion and being anti-inflammatory. Vinegar is great for digestion as well, and cilantro contains vitamins A, C, and K, alongside a number of minerals and antioxidants.
However, this recipe is not necessarily the healthiest dinner option. With 628 calories per serving, 53g of carbohydrates, and significant amounts of fat, cholesterol and sugar, I suggest enjoying Hawaiian meatballs in moderation. If any of the above macros are concerns for your health journey, I highly recommend discussing the recipe with your doctor before trying it out.
My Meatballs Usually Fall Apart. What Do I Do?
With this Hawaiian meatballs recipe, you shouldn’t run into this problem thanks to milk! Milk acts as a binder in meatballs, and when soaked into breadcrumbs to make a panade, it overall helps to keep the meatballs moist, tender, and together. Another common binder we see in meatball recipes are eggs. This Hawaiian meatball recipe does not include eggs, simply because milk should be enough of a binding agent. That being said, if your Hawaiian meatballs aren’t holding together, you could also add in a little bit of beaten egg to the mixture to help. In general, remembering to include a binder will help keep any meatballs from falling apart.
How to make ahead and store
Whether you’d like to plan ahead or you simply made too many meatballs, you can easily store them to enjoy another day. Put your meatballs into an airtight container or freezer-safe container depending on your storage preference. For refrigerating, you can keep the meatballs for up to 1 week. If freezing, your meatballs will be good for up to 3 months. Just remember to label your container so you don’t forget the date the meatballs were cooked!
Serving Suggestions
As pictured, laying your delicious Hawaiian meatballs over a bed of white or brown rice would really complete the meal. You could also go with this Coconut Cilantro Lime Rice, as coconut would taste lovely with the pineapple in your Hawaiian meatballs. To get more veggies in your system, I’d recommend a refreshing Cabbage Salad or perhaps some deliciously charred Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Whatever you choose to pair your Hawaiian meatballs with, I know they’re going to taste amazing! And if you need a vacation pick-me-up like I do, don’t forget to close your eyes while eating and imagine the sea breeze and calming waves of Hawaii.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground turkey
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup crushed pineapple
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- Optional: chopped cilantro, sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and milk. Mix until well combined. Gently roll into 1 1/2 inch balls, making sure to avoid packing the meat too tightly, and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake meatballs for 20 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
- In a medium saucepan, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, water, crushed pineapple, and vinegar. Bring to a boil.
- Whisk together cornstarch and cold water until the cornstarch is dissolved. Pour into boiling sauce and stir until thickened. Reduce to a simmer.
- Serve meatballs over rice and top with sauce. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and sesame seeds, if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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