Sweet and Tangy Hawaiian Meatballs With Just a Hint of Pineapple for the Perfect Quick Weeknight Dinner You Can Make From Frozen!
If you’ve been following me for long you’ll already know this, but for those who are new, welcome to Far From The Farm. I’m Mona, the Brit behind the recipes, learning life and food in the States while sharing our debt-free journey and what’s on the menu in our home today!
Even in the midst of our family’s debt-free journey, I still crave variety. Sometimes it’s hard to find new meal ideas that are actually affordable once you factor in all those ingredients that add up fast.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found a so-called “budget” meal online that requires half a dozen different sauces or three kinds of produce that aren’t in season. Those pennies matter when you’re truly living on a plan.
So I came up with this super simple budget-friendly Hawaiian-style meatball freezer meal that keeps all the flavor of the classic dish without needing canned pineapple chunks or colorful peppers.
You’ll still get that beautiful sweet and tangy glaze, but for a fraction of the cost, and without wasting fresh produce if your week goes sideways.
And just a reminder that if you’re struggling and you need help with managing your budget or starting your own debt free journey then here’s some FREE resources below you may find helpful!
living frugally and fully
free tips and resources to make the most of what you have
This one pairs perfectly with my Easy Freezer Rice Recipe and can go straight from freezer to Instant Pot for a quick, hot, family dinner that feels like a little tropical escape after a busy day.
You might notice I’ve left out salt and pepper from the ingredient list. That’s intentional because I find it easier with freezer meals like this to season at the end once it’s cooked, so everyone can adjust it to their own taste.
Of course, if your grocery budget allows and you’ve got some pineapple or bell peppers on hand, feel free to toss them in! No judgment here, just make it fit your season of life and your pantry.
And honestly, I’m convinced the Instant Pot was made for recipes like this. It keeps the meatballs tender, soaks up every bit of that tangy-sweet sauce, and cooks in less time than it would take to grab takeout.
Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that don’t look fancy but save you stress, time, and money, and this one’s been a quiet hero in our home during recent busy months.
As always, these photos are from my real kitchen here in our sweet military base home. No staged lighting or spotless marble counters. Just real life and real food made in a small space. Proof that you can feed your family well without needing a dream kitchen or fancy tools!
So, grab a freezer bag, pull out your Instant Pot, and let’s prep this easy freezer meal together today!
Equipment
- Ziplock freezer bag
- Freezer bag holder
- Instant Pot (mine shown is the Instant Pot Pro 8Qt)
- Measuring cups
- Measuring jug
- Spoon
Available on Amazon.com [ad]
Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the freezer meal:
- 32 ounces frozen homestyle meatballs
- 2 cups pineapple juice (fresh or frozen is fine)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ⅔ cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
Additional ingredients when cooking:
- ¼ cup water
To thicken the sauce (optional):
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water
Freezer Meal Prep
Add the frozen meatballs, pineapple juice, brown sugar, vinegar, and coconut aminos to a labeled freezer bag. Write the recipe name and date on the bag to stay organized, trust me, it makes your freezer meal days so much easier!
Once sealed, lay the bag flat so it freezes evenly and saves space.
When you’re ready to cook it, simply refer to the step-by-step cooking instructions below.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Loosen the meal from the bag.
Take the freezer bag out of the freezer and run it under cold water for a minute or two until the contents loosen from the sides. This makes it easier to pop into your Instant Pot.
Step 2. Add ingredients to the pot.
Pour the contents of the bag into your Instant Pot. Add ¼ cup of water to help the pot come to pressure.
Step 3. Cook.
Cook from frozen on HIGH pressure for 7 minutes. It really is that simple!
Step 4. Prepare your rice.
While the meatballs cook, this is the perfect time to make a quick batch of my Easy Freezer Rice or any rice you love. Everything should be ready around the same time.
Step 5. Thicken the sauce (optional).
If you prefer a thicker, glossy sauce, stir together a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and add it to the hot sauce once the lid is off.
Stir gently until it thickens to your liking.
Step 6. Serve and enjoy!
Spoon the meatballs and sauce over warm rice for a fast, filling, budget-friendly dinner that tastes homemade and comforting.
Notes and Troubleshooting
Notes:
- Feel free to toss in a handful of frozen diced peppers or mixed veggies if you have them on hand.
- A microwave side of frozen broccoli goes beautifully with this meal.
- You can swap the coconut aminos for soy sauce if that’s what you have in your pantry, just be mindful that it adds extra sodium so you may want to taste and adjust before serving.
Troubleshooting:
- If the sauce tastes too tangy, add a teaspoon of extra brown sugar.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, don’t skip the cornstarch step as it really makes a difference, and makes it feel just as luxurious as takeout!
Storage
- Once cooled, leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen again for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, use the microwave or gently warm in a saucepan with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Serving Ideas
- Serve over white or brown rice for an easy weeknight dinner
- Spoon into sub rolls for Hawaiian-style meatball sandwiches
- Add to lunchboxes for easy reheatable meals
- Pair with roasted broccoli or steamed green beans
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet and tangy Hawaiian flavors made from pantry staples
- No chopping or prep work needed, just dump and cook!
- Freezer-to-Instant Pot convenience for busy nights
- A true budget win during any debt-free journey
- Family-friendly flavor that even kids love
- Pairs with almost any side and reheats beautifully
Easy Freezer Meal Budget Hawaiian-Style Meatballs Recipe for the Instant Pot!
Equipment
- Ziplock freezer bag
- Freezer bag holder
- Instant Pot
- measuring cups
- Measuring jug
- Spoon
Ingredients
Assemble the freezer meal
- 32 oz Frozen homestyle meatballs
- 2 cups Pineapple juice fresh or frozen is fine
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- ⅔ cup White vinegar
- 2 tbsp Coconut aminos
Additional ingredient to add when cooking
- ¼ cup Water
Create a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce if preferred
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 3 tbsp Water
Instructions
Assemble the freezer meal
- Add the frozen meatballs, pineapple juice, brown sugar, vinegar, and coconut aminos to a labeled freezer bag. Write the recipe name and date on the bag to stay organized.Once sealed, lay the bag flat so it freezes evenly and saves space.When you’re ready to cook it, simply refer to the step-by-step cooking instructions below.
Cooking instructions
- Take the freezer bag out of the freezer and run it under cold water for a minute or two until the contents loosen from the sides. This makes it easier to pop into your Instant Pot.
- Pour the contents of the bag into your Instant Pot. Add ¼ cup of water to help the pot come to pressure.
- Cook from frozen on HIGH pressure for 7 minutes. It really is that simple!
- While the meatballs cook, this is the perfect time to make a quick batch of my Easy Freezer Rice or any rice you love. That way everything should be ready around the same time!
Thickening the sauce & serving
- If you prefer a thicker, glossy sauce, stir together a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and add it to the hot sauce once the lid is off.
- Spoon the meatballs and sauce over warm rice for a fast, filling, budget-friendly dinner that tastes homemade and comforting.
Notes
- Feel free to toss in a handful of frozen diced peppers or mixed veggies if you have them on hand.
- A microwave side of frozen broccoli goes beautifully with this meal.
- You can swap the coconut aminos for soy sauce if that’s what you have in your pantry, just be mindful that it adds extra sodium so you may want to taste and adjust before serving.
Storage
- Once cooled, leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen again for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, use the microwave or gently warm in a saucepan with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
The Takeaway
Simple, quick, and easy on the wallet, this Hawaiian-Style Meatball recipe proves you can create cozy, flavorful dinners without complicated ingredients or last-minute grocery runs.
Freezer meals like this one have been a game changer for us, saving time, stress, and money all at once.
What to Try Next?!
Share & Rate This Recipe!
If you tried this recipe, please share your feedback with a quick star rating or comment below. And if you loved it, don’t forget to share it with friends and family too!
Last update on 2025-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
