Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs

The Story & Intro

Hi, I’m INAYA, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete, Greece, and today I’m sharing one of those recipes that instantly fills the kitchen with joy: Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs. I still remember the first time I made this dish for friends during a busy summer evening. My kitchen was a mess, music was playing, and the sauce was bubbling happily on the stove. That’s when I knew this recipe was special.

Cooking has been part of my life since I was a child, learning from my grandmother how to create dishes full of love and flavor. While Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs aren’t traditional Greek food, they fit perfectly with my belief that food brings people together. I love mixing classic comfort recipes with a little creativity, and this one does exactly that.

These Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs are bold, colorful, and incredibly easy to make. They’re perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or even game-day gatherings. The balance of tangy sauce, juicy pineapple, and tender meatballs makes everyone come back for seconds. If you’ve never tried Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs at home, this is your sign.

Whether you’re new to cooking or already confident in the kitchen, I promise this dish will feel like home. Let’s cook together and make memories just like my grandmother taught me.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Meatballs

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Sauce

• 1 cup pineapple chunks (with juice)
• ½ cup ketchup
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water

Veggies

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, sliced

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper until just combined.
3. Roll into medium-sized meatballs and place on the baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until lightly browned and cooked through.
5. While the meatballs bake, whisk ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice in a saucepan.
6. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
7. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until thick and glossy.
8. Add pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and onion.
9. Gently fold in baked meatballs and simmer for 5–7 minutes.
10. Serve warm and enjoy the magic.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs are incredibly versatile. Serve them over fluffy white rice for a classic comfort meal or spoon them onto jasmine rice for extra aroma. They’re also wonderful with fried rice, quinoa, or even mashed potatoes if you’re feeling creative.

For parties, I love serving these meatballs with toothpicks as an appetizer. They disappear fast! Add a side of steamed broccoli or a crisp green salad to balance the sweetness. No matter how you serve them, Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs always steal the show.

📋 Recipe Card

⏱️ Time

🛒 Ingredients

👩‍🍳 Instructions

📝 Notes

🍽️ Nutrition (Approx.)

📝 Notes & Tips

• Don’t overmix the meat it keeps the meatballs tender.
• If you like heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day as the sauce deepens.

🍽️ Nutrition Breakdown

These Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs offer a balanced mix of protein, carbs, and fats. Pineapple provides natural sweetness and vitamin C, while bell peppers add antioxidants and color. You can easily adjust sugar levels to fit your needs without losing flavor.

Conclusion

Every time I make Sweet & Sour Hawaiian Meatballs, I think about how food connects us. From my grandmother’s kitchen in Crete to your table, this recipe carries warmth, joy, and a little playful sweetness. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated it just needs heart.

I hope this dish brings smiles, full plates, and happy conversations to your home. Let’s keep cooking, sharing stories, and making memories together 💛