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.
And oh là là… Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs make people smile big.
The Story & Intro
The first time I made Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs, I was hosting a backyard get-together that started as “just a few friends” and somehow turned into half the neighborhood showing up with folding chairs and coolers. You know the kind of night music playing, kids running barefoot, and everyone hovering near the food table like it’s the main event.
I wanted something easy, crowd-pleasing, and bold. Something that didn’t require me to disappear into the kitchen for hours. That’s when these Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs came to the rescue.
There’s something magical about the combo of juicy meatballs, tangy sweet-and-sour sauce, and tropical pineapple. It feels playful, nostalgic, and just a little indulgent. Every bite hits that perfect balance sweet, savory, sticky, and satisfying.
These Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs remind me of the joy of American potlucks but with that French love for sauces that cling and glaze just right. I’ve made them for game days, baby showers, weeknight dinners, and yes… straight from the slow cooker at midnight when everyone else had gone home.
If you’re looking for a recipe that’s easy, flexible, and guaranteed to disappear fast, you’re in the right kitchen. Let’s cook, my friends 💛
🛒 Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these irresistible Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs. Simple ingredients, big flavor.
For the Meatballs
- Frozen meatballs (beef, pork, or turkey all work beautifully)
- Olive oil (if pan-searing fresh meatballs)
For the Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Sauce
- Pineapple chunks (with juice)
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- Cornstarch
- Garlic (minced)
- Fresh ginger (optional but lovely)
- Red bell pepper, chopped
- Green bell pepper, chopped
- Yellow onion, chunked
✨ Tip from my kitchen: Don’t drain the pineapple juice that tropical sweetness is part of the magic.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
This recipe is wonderfully forgiving. You can use a slow cooker, stovetop, or even the oven depending on your day.
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch. Slowly whisk in the pineapple juice until smooth. The sauce should look glossy and slightly thick.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
In a large skillet, sauté bell peppers and onion with a little oil until just tender. You want them colorful and slightly crisp not mushy.
Step 3: Add Meatballs
Add the meatballs to the skillet (or straight to your slow cooker). Pour the sauce over everything and gently stir to coat.
Step 4: Add Pineapple
Fold in the pineapple chunks. This is where the Hawaiian vibe truly shines.
Step 5: Simmer to Perfection
- Stovetop: Simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Slow Cooker: Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours
- Oven: Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, stirring once
The sauce will thicken, the meatballs will soak up flavor, and your kitchen will smell absolutely irresistible.
⏱️ Time
| What | Time |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 30 minutes |
| Total Time | 40 minutes |
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
These Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs are incredibly versatile:
- Serve over fluffy white rice 🍚
- Spoon onto Hawaiian rolls for sliders 🍔
- Skewer with toothpicks for parties 🎉
- Pair with fried rice or lo mein
- Add to meal prep containers for easy lunches
I’ve even served them with mashed potatoes not traditional, but oh so good.
📝 Notes
- Want it spicier? Add crushed red pepper or sriracha 🌶️
- Prefer homemade meatballs? Go for it beef and pork blends are amazing
- Sauce too thick? Add a splash of pineapple juice
- Sauce too thin? Let it simmer a little longer
These Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs taste even better the next day. Leftovers are a blessing.
🍽️ Nutrition (Approximate per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 |
| Protein | 15g |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Sugar | 18g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Sodium | 620mg |
⭐ Recipe Card – Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs ⭐
| 🍍 Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs 🍍 |
|---|
| Servings: 6 |
| Cuisine: Hawaiian-American |
| Difficulty: Easy |
| 🛒 Ingredients |
|---|
| 1 bag frozen meatballs |
| 1 can pineapple chunks (with juice) |
| 1 cup ketchup |
| ½ cup brown sugar |
| ¼ cup soy sauce |
| 2 tbsp rice vinegar |
| 1 tbsp cornstarch |
| 1 tsp garlic, minced |
| 1 tsp ginger (optional) |
| 1 red bell pepper |
| 1 green bell pepper |
| 1 small onion |
| 👩🍳 Instructions |
|---|
| 1. Whisk sauce ingredients together |
| 2. Sauté peppers and onion |
| 3. Add meatballs and sauce |
| 4. Stir in pineapple |
| 5. Simmer until thick and glossy |
| 📝 Notes |
|---|
| Great for slow cooker or stovetop |
| Freezer-friendly |
| Perfect party recipe |
Conclusion
Every time I make Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs, I’m reminded why I fell in love with cooking in the first place. Food brings people together. It sparks conversation. It creates memories.
This recipe is joyful, easy, and comforting the kind you make once and then keep forever. Whether you’re hosting a party or just feeding your family on a busy weeknight, these Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs will always deliver that sweet, tangy, tropical happiness we all crave sometimes.
From my cozy kitchen to yours bon appétit, my friends 💛