Upgrade Your Cocktail Meatballs With A Juicy Tropical Twist

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A diminutive dish filled with big flavor, meatballs make a great appetizer for any get-together, cocktail hour, or snack time you can imagine. Though called "meat" balls, this food can be made using just about any ground meat, like pork, chicken, or beef, as well as a number of plant-based options, such as in a vegetarian lentil and mushroom BBQ meatballs recipe. Regardless of your preferred meatball base, there are plenty of amazing ways to sauce, dress, and serve this dish to make it the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Try incorporating pineapple into your next batch of meatballs for a crave-worthy offering, inspired by the flavors of a slow cooker al pastor recipe.

A traditional al pastor is made using pork shoulder, pineapple, chiles, and spices. Take a cue from this dish by using the seasonings, juices, and other favorite flavors to create your meatball mixture and a delightful cocktail sauce in which to simmer and serve them. Though an authentic al pastor is made with pork, feel free to get creative with a combination of different meats that will best allow the al pastor flavors to shine through.

The most important thing to remember with these tiny appetizers is getting a consistent size and shape for each one. You'll also want to ensure proper browning on your cocktail meatballs prior to adding them to a slow cooker for simmering. A punch of pineapple juice and spice will guarantee mouthwatering meatballs, whatever the base may be.

If you want to go the traditional route, use ground pork in your al pastor-style cocktail meatballs. You can also use a mixture of pork and beef, or chicken, or turkey, or try a plant-based version like Gardein Classic Plant-Based Meatless Meatballs. Keep in mind that ground poultry does tend to be leaner than red meat, meaning you might want to supplement the lack of fat content with extra oil and breadcrumbs.

Use seasonings such as cumin, oregano, and ancho chili powder with crushed pineapple in juice, breadcrumbs, and a beaten egg to help flavor and bind your meatballs. It's easy to vary the level of heat by adjusting the chili powder and spices to suit your level of spice tolerance. You can also prepare a glaze using a store-bought jam such as Smuckers Pineapple Preserves to brush atop your cooked meatballs before skewering each one.

If you want to make a simmer sauce to slow-cook your al pastor cocktail meatballs, try blending canned crushed pineapple, canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, jalapeños, garlic, onion, and vinegar together. The spicy sweetness is a perfect complement to your cocktail dish and is made even more eye-catching with a sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro on top. Serve your meatballs straight from the crockpot or on individual skewers along with a chunk of pineapple for optimal presentation.