Transport your taste buds to the tropics with these savory-sweet Waikiki Meatballs, a delightful fusion of hearty comfort food and Hawaiian-inspired flavors. Juicy ground beef meatballs are perfectly browned and simmered in a luscious pineapple-infused sauce made with brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce, creating the ultimate balance of sweet and tangy. Vibrant chunks of green bell pepper and tender pineapple add colorful bursts of freshness to every bite, while the thickened sauce glazes each meatball beautifully. Ready in under an hour, this dish pairs wonderfully with steamed white rice for a complete and satisfying meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, these Waikiki Meatballs will bring a tropical twist to your table!
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, finely chopped onion, and salt. Mix until just combined; do not overwork the mixture.
Form the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs. You should end up with about 20-24 meatballs.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, browning them on all sides (about 5 minutes per batch). Remove the browned meatballs and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the pineapple chunks with their juice, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce. Mix well to create the sauce base.
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Set aside.
In the same skillet, pour in the prepared sauce and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Once the sauce is bubbling, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
Add the browned meatballs, pineapple chunks, and green bell pepper to the skillet. Stir well to coat everything in the sauce.
Lower the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked and the bell peppers are tender.
Serve the Waikiki Meatballs over steamed white rice, if desired, and enjoy!
Calories |
2075 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 118.2 g | 152% | |
| Saturated Fat | 38.9 g | 194% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 18.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 523 mg | 174% | |
| Sodium | 4244 mg | 185% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 172.6 g | 63% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.0 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 108.5 g | ||
| Protein | 95.6 g | 191% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.7 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 251 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 12.7 mg | 71% | |
| Potassium | 1960 mg | 42% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.