EASY Hawaiian Teriyaki Meatballs Recipe! With Homemade Teriyaki Sauce!

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is lower in fat, while ground pork is often less expensive.

soy sauce

🥗Healthier: tamari

💰Cheaper: liquid aminos

Tamari is gluten-free, while liquid aminos is often cheaper.

brown sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: white sugar

Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index, while white sugar is generally cheaper.

sesame oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil is healthier, while canola oil is often more affordable.

In a large bowl, combine 1 pound of ground pork, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of ground garlic, and some ground black pepper.

Add 1 large egg and a couple tablespoons of freshly chopped chives to the mixture.

Knead the mixture together with your hands until well combined.

Add 1/2 cup of panko breadcrumbs and knead them in last to avoid a doughy texture.

Shape the mixture into uniform meatballs using a small scoop and your hands.

Heat a pan over medium heat and add a little bit of olive oil.

Add the meatballs to the pan and cook over medium-low heat, turning them every couple of minutes until browned all over.

Cover the pan with a lid and cook for an additional 10 minutes to ensure the meatballs are cooked through.

Remove the meatballs from the pan and set them aside on a clean tray.

Add a little bit of water to the pan to deglaze, scraping up the browned bits.

Add 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of sesame seed oil, 2 pressed garlic cloves, and 1 1/2 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger to the pan.

Add 1 cup of crushed pineapple with its juices and stir to combine.

Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes until the garlic, ginger, and pineapple are tender.

Mix together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and pour it into the sauce, cooking for a few more minutes to thicken.

Return the meatballs to the pan and toss them in the sauce until nicely coated.

Serve the meatballs garnished with sesame seeds and chopped cilantro.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens