Curious what these Pineapple Meatballs are all about? I hear you. Trust me, it’s worth a read! The recipe is surprisingly easy and the outcome is nothing short of delicious. You’ll be surprised at how well the sweet and savory flavors compliment each other in this dish. Give it a shot, you know you want to!
Delicious Hawaiian Meatballs
Pineapple and BBQ meatballs are a delicious and easy way to make your favorite meatballs into something that is out of this world! The tangy pineapple pairs well with savory Italian seasoning, and the sweetness of the fruit cuts through any richness from ground beef. They’re perfect for potlucks or parties because they’re so easy to transport- just wrap them in foil like you would a baked potato, and they’ll be ready to go! Plus, it’s always fun when someone asks what “special” ingredient was used in their dish, only for you to tell them that it’s actually not special at all.
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What are Hawaiian Meatballs
Hawaiian meatballs are basically meatballs that are made with pineapple and BBQ sauce. They are sweet and tangy thanks to the honey bbq sauce and pineapple. These combinations come together to create an amazing flavor and can be used for party food by serving on tooth picks for easy grabbing or as part of dinner when served over rice or noodles.
How to Store
You want to keep the meatballs in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator. You can also place them in the freezer if you want them to last longer.
What to Serve with
There are a lot of things that you can serve with these incredible meatballs. They can be served over rice, noodles, or simply as is. I like to serve it with a side of cole slaw. I also like to make broccoli salad, or you can make Broccoli Bacon Salad without Mayonnaise or How to Broccoli Apple Salad with it. You can also make cowboy caviar as a simple, easy side dish. I tend to love this recipe as part of a party or get together so anything that would be good at a picnic or party food, will taste amazing with these.
Do I Need to Defrost Meatballs Before Cooking?
The great things about cooking meatballs, is that you do not beed to defrost them before cooking. This recipe is actually planning that you are cooking them straight from the freezer. No matter if you are making homemade meatballs or you are using a frozen store bought version.
I love the keep frozen meatballs on hand. Since we eat them so often, if makes it easier to make larger batches and then I can remove some where I need them. Whether you are making these meat balls in the slow cooker, Instant Pot or on the stove top, these meatballs can be added straight from the freezer.
How Long To Cook Meatballs In The Crock Pot
The meat is already cooked in the recipe. Whether you are using homemade meatballs, fresh or frozen, or you are using a store bought version. So in that case, the meatballs are just coming to temperature and adding the flavors of the BBQ sauce and pineapples to the meatballs.
You will want to cook them in the slow cooker for 2 to 3 hours on high or on low for 5 to 6 hours.
Can You Freeze Hawaiian Meatballs?
If you want to freeze the leftover Hawaiian meatballs, you certainly can. I like to freeze the meatballs in a freezer bag so that I can store them easily. The freeze bag will last mostly flat and this makes it easier to keep on hand. You can also use an airtight container that is freezer safe.
Do you have to use canned pineapple, or can you use fresh?
I am using canned pineapple. It is easier to keep on hand. However, you can certainly use fresh pineapple or even frozen if that is what you have. This is personal choice and it will not affect the outcome of the recipe.
How Many Weight Watchers Points in Pineapple Meatballs
I am basing the points in this recipe on using my homemade beed meatballs that are made without sauce. This amount of points will change depending on the recipe you are using.
This recipe comes in at 10 points per serving, on all plans. This is because of the BBQ Sauce. You can lower the points by reducing the amount of Bbq sauce that you are adding to the recipe. This is a great way to still get all the incredible flavor without as many points.
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Ingredients
- Honey barbecue sauce
- Meatballs– I am using my traditional homemade meatball recipe, baked without the sauce. I like to make a batch and freeze them so that I can make easy meals like this. You can also use the baked turkey meatball recipe. If you need something fast, you can also buy already frozen meatballs.
- Pineapple chunks– drain the juice
- Water
How to Make BBQ Pineapple Meatballs
In the Instant Pot
Place the steamer basket into the instant pot. Add in one cup water. Pour meatballs into the steamer basket. You may also use a trivet. Just want to keep the meatballs off the bottom of the pot.
Place the lid onto the instant pot. Set the valve to the sealed position. Press the pressure cook or manual button and set timer to 6 minutes. Once the instant pot stops counting and beeps. Release the pressure by turning the valve to the open position.
Remove meatballs to a bowl. Remove steamer basket or trivet. Drain liquid. Place insert back into the instant pot. Place meatballs back into the metal insert.
Pour in the barbecue sauce and turn on saute mode on normal heat. Drain pineapple and place into the instant pot. Stir well and heat just until the barbecue sauce and pineapple is warm.
Turn off saute mode and serve with a side of beans or slaw.
On the Stove Top
If you want to make these meatballs on the stove top instead of the Instant Pot, you will want to add everything, minus the water, into the large stock pot.
Cook the meatballs on low to medium low heat until the meat is heated through, about 30 to 40 minutes.
This time will vary, depending on the size of the pot and the actual temperature you are using.
Pineapple Meatballs In the Slow Cooker
These are already cooked in the recipe. Whether you are using homemade, fresh, or frozen, or you are using a store bought version. So in that case, the meat is just coming to temperature and adding the flavors of the BBQ sauce and pineapples.
You will want to cook them in the slow cooker for 2 to 3 hours on high or on low for 5 to 6 hours.
Enjoy.
Need more ideas and help to stay on track with Weight Watchers?
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- If you don’t want to pay for the app to be able to calculate your points, consider the Weight Watchers SmartPoints Calculator for Freestyle Program which is sold by Weight Watchers so you know the Points are right. The online calculators are not always accurate.
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Pineapple Meatballs
Ingredients
- 18 oz bottle honey barbecue sauce
- 1 meatballs
- 20 oz can pineapple chunks
Directions
Instant Pot
- Place the steamer basket into the instant pot. Add in one cup water. Pour meatballs into the steamer basket. You may also use a trivet. Just want to keep the meatballs off the bottom of the pot.
- Place the lid onto the instant pot. Set the valve to the sealed position. Press the pressure cook or manual button and set timer to 6 minutes. Once the instant pot stops counting and beeps. Release the pressure by turning the valve to the open position.
- Remove meatballs to a bowl. Remove steamer basket or trivet. Drain liquid. Place insert back into the instant pot. Place meatballs back into the metal insert.
- Pour in the barbecue sauce and turn on saute mode on normal heat. Drain pineapple and place into the instant pot. Stir well and heat just until the barbecue sauce and pineapple is warm.
Stove Top
- If you want to make these meatballs on the stove top instead of the Instant Pot, you will want to add everything, minus the water, into the large stock pot.
- Cook the meatballs on low to medium low heat until the meat is heated through, about 30 to 40 minutes.
- This time will vary, depending on the size of the pot and the actual temperature you are using.
Slow Cooker
- These are already cooked in the recipe. Whether you are using homemade, fresh, or frozen, or you are using a store bought version. So in that case, the meat is just coming to temperature and adding the flavors of the BBQ sauce and pineapples.
- You will want to cook them in the slow cooker for 2 to 3 hours on high or on low for 5 to 6 hours.Enjoy.
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