Easy Hawaiian Meatballs: Sweet & Sour Ground Beef with Pineapple & Peppers for a Quick Family Dinner
Are you searching for a delicious, family-friendly dinner that comes together in a flash? Look no further than these incredible Hawaiian Meatballs! This recipe transforms humble ground beef into a vibrant, flavorful meal, boasting a unique texture thanks to a special ingredient: graham cracker crumbs. Each succulent meatball is coated in an irresistible tangy sweet and sour sauce, brimming with juicy pineapple tidbits and crisp green bell peppers. Best of all, this delightful dish can be on your table in 30 minutes or less, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights.
As the days grow shorter and the evenings draw in, finding ways to keep the family entertained indoors can be a challenge. With daylight saving time behind us, the clock strikes 4:30 PM, and suddenly, it’s dark outside! For those of us with energetic children, this means countless train tracks constructed, intricate LEGO cities built, and a million blanket forts erected in the living room. While the change in daylight hours has its drawbacks, it also presents a wonderful opportunity for quality family time indoors.
However, enjoying that precious time shouldn’t come at the cost of spending hours slaving over dinner. That’s precisely where these quick and easy Hawaiian Meatballs shine. They are a lifesaver for parents and a guaranteed hit with kids, offering a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors that tantalize the taste buds.
From the moment you start preparing to the instant it’s ready to serve, these meatballs are designed for speed and convenience, typically requiring no more than 30 minutes of your time. The rich, sweet and sour sauce is beautifully balanced, infusing the dish with an exotic zest, perfectly complemented by the tropical sweetness of pineapple and the fresh crunch of green peppers. But the secret to these truly remarkable meatballs lies within their unique composition. Forget traditional breadcrumbs or oatmeal; this recipe calls for graham cracker crumbs as a binding agent. This unexpected ingredient not only binds the ground beef mixture flawlessly but also adds a subtle hint of sweetness and a distinct tender texture that elevates these meatballs beyond the ordinary.
The synergy between the perfectly seasoned meatballs and the vibrant, fruity sauce is absolutely irresistible. This combination creates a memorable meal that your entire family will undoubtedly adore. It’s a dish that promises big flavor without the big effort, making it a staple in any busy household looking for delicious, hassle-free dinner ideas.
Hawaiian Meatballs Recipe
These savory ground beef meatballs, uniquely bound with graham cracker crumbs, are simmered in a vibrant sweet and sour sauce with pineapple and green bell peppers. A quick and easy meal ready in 30 minutes!
Rating: 4.77 from 13 votes
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Course: Main | Author: Jenn
Ingredients for Meatballs and Sauce
- For the Meatballs:
- 1-1/2 lb. lean ground beef
- 2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup onion, minced small
- 1 egg
- 1-1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/4 cup milk
- For Browning:
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- For the Sweet & Sour Sauce:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 15.25-oz can pineapple tidbits, drained (reserving juice)
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- For Serving:
- Cooked rice (or your preferred side)
Instructions to Make Hawaiian Meatballs
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the lean ground beef, graham cracker crumbs, finely minced onion, egg, salt, ground ginger, and milk. Mix thoroughly but gently until all ingredients are well incorporated. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the meatballs tough. Shape the mixture into uniform 1-inch balls.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the shaped meatballs to the hot pan, working in batches if necessary to avoid crowding. Brown the meatballs on all sides until they are nicely seared and slightly cooked through. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the pan and set them aside, keeping them warm.
- Whisk the Sauce Base: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cornstarch. Whisk them together until there are no lumps. This step is crucial for ensuring a smooth sauce. Gradually stir in the reserved pineapple juice from the canned tidbits, white vinegar, and soy sauce. Continue stirring until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Thicken the Sauce: Pour the smooth sauce mixture into the same frying pan used for the meatballs (you might not need to clean it). Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook the sauce until it thickens to your desired consistency, usually a few minutes. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Combine and Serve: Once the sauce has thickened, return the browned meatballs to the pan. Add the drained pineapple tidbits and diced green bell peppers. Gently stir to coat all the meatballs and vegetables with the sweet and sour sauce. Heat the mixture through for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to finish cooking. Serve these delightful Hawaiian Meatballs immediately over a bed of fluffy cooked rice for a complete and satisfying meal. Enjoy every sweet and tangy bite!
The Secret to Tender Meatballs: Graham Cracker Crumbs
One of the most intriguing aspects of this Hawaiian Meatballs recipe is the use of graham cracker crumbs instead of more conventional binders like breadcrumbs or oatmeal. This seemingly unconventional choice is actually a stroke of culinary genius! Graham cracker crumbs impart a subtle sweetness to the meatballs, which perfectly complements the tangy sweet and sour sauce. More importantly, they contribute to an incredibly tender and moist texture that stands out. Unlike some binders that can make meatballs dense, graham crackers help keep them light and delicate. If you’ve never tried this trick before, prepare to be pleasantly surprised by the enhanced flavor and mouthfeel it brings to your ground beef meatballs.
Crafting the Perfect Sweet and Sour Sauce
The vibrant sweet and sour sauce is the heart of this dish, bringing all the Hawaiian-inspired flavors together. Achieving the right balance of sweet, tangy, and savory is key. Our recipe uses a combination of brown sugar for sweetness, white vinegar for tang, and soy sauce for that essential umami depth. The cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, creating a glossy, rich sauce that clings beautifully to the meatballs. Don’t skip reserving the pineapple juice – it’s crucial for both flavor and liquid content in the sauce. For a touch of heat, you could consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce, or for an extra layer of complexity, a dash of ginger paste can truly elevate the flavor profile.
Beyond Rice: How to Serve Your Hawaiian Meatballs
While serving Hawaiian Meatballs over fluffy white rice is a classic and highly recommended pairing, don’t feel limited! Here are a few other delicious ways to enjoy this versatile dish:
- Noodles: Egg noodles or even ramen noodles (without the seasoning packet) can be a fantastic base, soaking up all that wonderful sauce.
- Cauliflower Rice: For a lower-carb option, cauliflower rice works wonderfully and still provides a good textural contrast.
- Quinoa: A healthier whole grain alternative that offers a nutty flavor.
- Lettuce Wraps: Serve the meatballs in crisp lettuce cups for a light and refreshing meal, perfect for a warm evening.
- Vegetable Medley: Pair them with steamed broccoli, snap peas, or stir-fried carrots for an extra boost of nutrients and color.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
These Hawaiian Meatballs are excellent for meal prepping and can be stored easily. Here’s how:
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and store them raw in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Alternatively, mix the meatball ingredients and roll them into balls, then freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen, increasing browning time slightly.
- Refrigeration: Leftover cooked Hawaiian Meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezing Cooked Meatballs: Once cooked and coated in sauce, these meatballs freeze beautifully. Allow them to cool completely, then transfer them to freezer-safe containers or bags. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave until warmed through. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce seems too thick.
Creative Variations to Try
Feel free to experiment with this recipe to suit your preferences:
- Different Meats: While ground beef is classic, you can try ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner alternative. The graham cracker crumb binder works well with these too!
- Add Heat: For those who enjoy a little kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of Sriracha in the sauce can add a delightful fiery note.
- Extra Veggies: Incorporate other quick-cooking vegetables like diced red bell peppers, snap peas, or even thinly sliced carrots into the sauce for added color and nutrition.
- Garnish: Finish your dish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or fresh chopped cilantro or scallions for an extra pop of flavor and visual appeal.
Whether you’re battling the early darkness of winter or simply seeking a quick, flavorful, and reliable meal, these Hawaiian Meatballs are a perfect solution. They are simple to prepare, packed with an irresistible sweet and sour flavor, and loved by adults and children alike. Give them a try tonight and watch them disappear!