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.
I still remember the first time I tasted Hawaiian BBQ Meatballs. It was at a summer potluck in the Midwest, where folding tables were overflowing with casseroles, pasta salads, and crockpots humming quietly in the corner. Someone lifted the lid of one slow cooker, and boom the sweet-smoky aroma of barbecue sauce mixed with pineapple instantly stole my heart. 💛🍍
Coming from France, where sauces are often delicate and refined, this bold, sticky, sweet-and-savory flavor combo felt like a joyful rebellion. Hawaiian BBQ Meatballs were playful, comforting, and unapologetically crowd-pleasing. I went back for seconds… then thirds. No regrets.
Since that day, Hawaiian BBQ Meatballs have become one of my go-to recipes for game days, family dinners, and stress-free entertaining. They’re easy, forgiving, and always a hit. Whether you serve Hawaiian BBQ Meatballs as an appetizer with toothpicks or over fluffy rice for dinner, they bring instant sunshine to the table even on the coldest days.
Today, I’m sharing my favorite version of Hawaiian BBQ Meatballs saucy, tender, and perfectly balanced between sweet pineapple and smoky BBQ goodness. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll be on repeat in your kitchen too. 🌺✨
🛒 Ingredients
One of the best things about Hawaiian BBQ Meatballs is how simple the ingredient list is. You don’t need anything fancy just smart combinations.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Meatballs – Frozen meatballs work beautifully here (beef, pork, turkey, or chicken). Homemade are great too!
- BBQ Sauce – Use your favorite smoky or honey-style BBQ sauce.
- Pineapple Chunks – Canned pineapple chunks in juice (not syrup) are ideal.
- Pineapple Juice – Reserved from the can for extra flavor.
- Soy Sauce – Adds that savory umami balance.
- Brown Sugar – Enhances the sweetness and creates that sticky glaze.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic gives depth.
- Ginger (optional) – A small amount adds warmth and Hawaiian-inspired flair.
- Cornstarch – For thickening the sauce if needed.
- Green Onions – For garnish and freshness.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Making Hawaiian BBQ Meatballs couldn’t be easier, and you have options depending on your schedule.
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a large bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Taste it it should be sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky.
Step 2: Add the Meatballs
Place the meatballs in a slow cooker, large skillet, or baking dish. Pour the sauce evenly over them.
Step 3: Add Pineapple
Gently fold in the pineapple chunks so they don’t break apart.
Step 4: Cook
- Slow Cooker: Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours.
- Stovetop: Simmer on low heat for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Oven: Bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes, stirring halfway.
Step 5: Thicken (Optional)
If you like extra-thick sauce, stir in a cornstarch slurry during the last 10 minutes.
Step 6: Garnish & Serve
Sprinkle with green onions and serve warm. That glossy sauce? Absolute perfection. 😍
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Hawaiian BBQ Meatballs are incredibly versatile, which is why I adore them so much.
Here are my favorite ways to serve them:
- Over steamed white rice or jasmine rice
- With coconut rice for a tropical twist
- As party appetizers with toothpicks
- In slider buns for Hawaiian meatball sliders
- Alongside roasted veggies or coleslaw
- With mashed potatoes for comfort-food vibes
No matter how you serve them, Hawaiian BBQ Meatballs always disappear fast.
⏱️ Time
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mins | 30 mins – 5 hrs | ~40 mins – 5 hrs |
🛒 Ingredients (Recipe Card)
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Frozen meatballs | 2 lbs |
| BBQ sauce | 1½ cups |
| Pineapple chunks | 20 oz can |
| Pineapple juice | ½ cup |
| Soy sauce | 2 tbsp |
| Brown sugar | ¼ cup |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
| Ground ginger | ½ tsp |
| Cornstarch | 1 tbsp (optional) |
| Green onions | For garnish |
👩🍳 Instructions (Recipe Card)
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Whisk BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger |
| 2️⃣ | Add meatballs to slow cooker, skillet, or baking dish |
| 3️⃣ | Pour sauce over meatballs |
| 4️⃣ | Fold in pineapple chunks |
| 5️⃣ | Cook until heated through and saucy |
| 6️⃣ | Thicken sauce if desired |
| 7️⃣ | Garnish and serve warm |
📝 Notes
- Frozen meatballs save time and taste great.
- Drain pineapple but save the juice it’s liquid gold.
- Use spicy BBQ sauce if you want heat.
- Leftovers keep well for 3–4 days refrigerated.
🍽️ Nutrition (Approximate)
| Serving | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | ~320 | 14g | 28g | 16g |
Conclusion
Hawaiian BBQ Meatballs are one of those magical recipes that feel effortless yet taste unforgettable. They bring people together, spark conversation, and leave plates wiped clean. Every time I make them, I’m reminded why I fell in love with American comfort food bold flavors, shared moments, and lots of smiles around the table. 💛🌺
Whether you’re hosting a party, feeding a hungry family, or just craving something sweet and savory, these Hawaiian BBQ Meatballs will never let you down.