Asian-Infused Meatballs with Pineapple
These Asian-infused meatballs offer a tangy, flavorful twist with a unique sauce and pineapple chunks. Perfect as a main dish or appetizer, these meatballs are ideal for gatherings, adding a touch of flair to your menu.
Equipment
- 13×9 inch baking dish
- spatula
- toothpicks
- Chafing dish (optional, for serving)
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 2 cans pineapple chunks 8 ounces each
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup finely chopped sweet yellow pepper
- ¼ cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
- ½ cup dry bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 pound lean ground beef
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup canola oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Pineapple and Meatball Mixture:
- Drain the pineapple chunks, reserving ¼ cup of the juice.
- Set the pineapple chunks aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped onion, yellow and red peppers, bread crumbs, ground ginger, salt, and the reserved ¼ cup of pineapple juice.
- Crumble the lean ground beef over the mixture and mix thoroughly by hand until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
Prepare the Sauce:
- Place the sauce ingredients (canola oil, soy sauce, honey, white vinegar, garlic powder, and ground ginger) into a blender.
- Cover and process for about one minute until the sauce is well blended.
Bake the Meatballs:
- Grease a 13×9 inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons of the prepared sauce.
- Place the meatballs into the baking dish and pour the remaining sauce evenly over them.
- Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are no longer pink in the center.
Add Pineapple and Serve:
- Allow the meatballs to cool slightly.
- Place one pineapple chunk on top of each meatball and secure it with a toothpick.
- For serving as an appetizer, use a chafing dish to keep the meatballs warm.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Pair with a crisp white wine like Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc, or serve with a light Asian beer.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 60 kcal | Carbohydrates: 4 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 3 g | Fiber: 0.5 g | Sugar: 2 g | Salt: 150 mg
