This Costco Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs recipe is a saucy and easy recipe, which is made with lean ground turkey and crushed pineapple. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 30 minutes.
Jump to RecipeCostco Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs Recipe Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- 1 lb 99% lean ground turkey breast or ground chicken breast
- ¼ cup drained canned crushed pineapple (*reserve the juice for the sauce)
- 2 tablespoons sliced scallions
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- ⅔ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons pineapple juice (reserved from draining the pineapple)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
For Garnish:
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
How To Make Costco Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs
- Prepare Oven and Meatball Mix: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg, panko breadcrumbs, ground meat, crushed pineapple, scallions, soy sauce, garlic, ground ginger, and black pepper. Mix gently with a fork until just combined.
- Shape and Bake Meatballs: Separate the meat mixture into 20 equal portions and roll each one into a ball. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned.
- Start the Sauce: With about 10 minutes left on the meatballs’ baking time, whisk the sauce ingredients (soy sauce, water, brown sugar, pineapple juice, garlic, and ginger) together in a medium saucepan. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the brown sugar is dissolved.
- Thicken the Sauce and Combine: In a small dish, mix the cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water together to make a smooth slurry. Pour the slurry into the simmering sauce and whisk to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve: When the meatballs are finished baking, add them to the saucepan and gently toss to coat them in the teriyaki sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds if desired.

Recipe Tips
- How do I get the most tender meatballs? The key is not to over-mix the ground meat mixture. Use a fork or your hands to combine the ingredients just until they come together. Overworking the meat can result in tough, dense meatballs.
- Can I make these in an air fryer? Yes, an air fryer is a great way to cook these meatballs. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through, shaking the basket halfway.
- How do I prevent the sauce from getting lumpy? Make sure to create a smooth “slurry” by completely dissolving the cornstarch in the cold water before adding it to the hot sauce. This prevents the cornstarch from clumping.
- Can I make these ahead of time? Absolutely. You can bake the meatballs up to 2 days in advance and store them in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply warm them through in the freshly made sauce on the stovetop.
What To Serve With Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs
These saucy meatballs are a fantastic main course, especially when served with:
- A bed of fluffy white or brown rice.
- Steamed broccoli, snow peas, or bok choy.
- Lo mein or rice noodles.
- A side of grilled pineapple rings.
How To Store Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs
Store: Place leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat: Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, or in the microwave, until warmed through.
Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 236kcal
- Protein: 31g
- Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Sugar: 10g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, you can use fresh pineapple. Just be sure to dice it very finely and press it in a sieve to remove as much excess juice as possible before adding it to the meatball mixture.
Of course. While lean ground turkey or chicken is recommended, this recipe would also be delicious with lean ground pork or beef.
Yes, they freeze very well. Let the baked, unsauced meatballs cool completely. Place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating in the sauce.
Costco Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes15
minutes236
kcalEasy, baked turkey or chicken meatballs are simmered in a sweet and savory homemade pineapple teriyaki sauce for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Meatballs: 1 lb lean ground turkey/chicken, 1 large egg, ⅓ cup panko, ¼ cup drained crushed pineapple, 2 Tbsp scallions, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp garlic, ¼ tsp ginger, ⅛ tsp pepper.
Sauce: ⅔ cup soy sauce, ½ cup water, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 2 Tbsp reserved pineapple juice, 1 tsp garlic, ½ tsp ginger, 1 Tbsp cornstarch + 1 Tbsp water.
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Gently mix all meatball ingredients in a bowl.
- Roll the mixture into 20 meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until cooked through.
- While the meatballs bake, combine all sauce ingredients (except cornstarch and water for the slurry) in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
- In a small dish, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Whisk it into the simmering sauce.
- Simmer for 5 more minutes until the sauce has thickened.
- Toss the baked meatballs in the sauce and serve immediately.
Notes
- Do not over-mix the meatball mixture to ensure they stay tender and juicy.
- A cookie scoop is the best tool for creating evenly sized meatballs that cook uniformly.
- This recipe is perfect for meal prep; the baked meatballs can be frozen for a quick meal later.
- For easy cleanup, line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
