Spicy Hawaiian Meatballs with Sweet Chili Sauce

The Story & Intro

Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.

Now let me tell you a little secret… Spicy Hawaiian Meatballs with Sweet Chili Sauce were not something I grew up eating in France. Meatballs, yes. Sweet-spicy pineapple sauce? Très American 😄 And yet, the very first time I made these, they instantly became one of those recipes that feels like a hug and a party all at once.

I still remember the moment clearly. It was a rainy Sunday afternoon, the kind where you crave something cozy but exciting. I had ground meat in the fridge, a lonely can of pineapple, and a bottle of sweet chili sauce whispering my name from the pantry. I started mixing, tasting, adjusting… and suddenly my kitchen smelled like a tropical vacation with a spicy twist 🌴🔥.

These Spicy Hawaiian Meatballs with Sweet Chili Sauce are sticky, saucy, slightly sweet, and just spicy enough to keep things interesting. They’re the kind of appetizer people hover over at parties, pretending they’re “just having one more.” They’re also weeknight-friendly, game-day perfect, and dangerously addictive.

What I love most about Spicy Hawaiian Meatballs with Sweet Chili Sauce is how they bring people together. I’ve served them with toothpicks at parties, spooned over rice for family dinners, and even tucked into slider buns for casual weekends. No matter how you serve them, they disappear fast and yes, people always ask for the recipe.

So grab a bowl, turn up some music, and let’s make a dish that’s bold, sweet, spicy, and completely unforgettable 💛

🛒 Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible Spicy Hawaiian Meatballs with Sweet Chili Sauce. Simple ingredients, big flavor!

For the Meatballs

• Ground beef (or ground pork, chicken, or turkey)
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Garlic, minced
• Fresh ginger, grated
• Soy sauce
• Green onions, finely chopped
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional, but recommended 😉)

For the Sweet Chili Hawaiian Sauce

• Sweet chili sauce
• Soy sauce
• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Rice vinegar
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Pineapple chunks (with a little juice reserved)
• Sriracha or chili garlic sauce (to taste)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Mix the Meatballs

In a large bowl, add the ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, green onions, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Don’t overmix tender meatballs are the goal!

Step 2: Shape

Roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 to 1½ inches wide. Place them on a plate or baking sheet.

Step 3: Brown

Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a little oil. Add the meatballs in batches and brown them on all sides. They don’t need to be cooked through yet just beautifully golden.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, pineapple juice, and sriracha. Taste and adjust sweetness or spice.

Step 5: Simmer

Add the browned meatballs back into the skillet. Pour the sauce over them, add pineapple chunks, and gently stir. Reduce heat and let everything simmer for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats every meatball.

Step 6: Finish

Sprinkle with extra green onions or sesame seeds, and get ready to serve!

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

These Spicy Hawaiian Meatballs with Sweet Chili Sauce are incredibly versatile:

• Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks
• Spoon over jasmine or coconut rice 🍚
• Pair with stir-fried veggies for a full meal
• Stuff into slider buns for party sandwiches
• Add to a pineapple fried rice bowl

They’re perfect for potlucks, holidays, game days, or cozy nights at home.

⏱️🛒👩‍🍳📝🍽️ Recipe Card

Conclusion

Every time I make Spicy Hawaiian Meatballs with Sweet Chili Sauce, I’m reminded why I fell in love with cooking in the first place. It’s about bold flavors, simple joy, and that moment when someone takes a bite and their eyes light up ✨

This recipe is sweet, spicy, comforting, and just a little playful like the best kind of fusion food. Whether you’re serving a crowd or just feeding your family, these meatballs bring warmth, excitement, and a touch of tropical magic to the table.

From my French-American kitchen to yours, I hope this dish becomes one of those recipes you make again and again 💛