Recipe: Venison Hawaiian Meatballs

by
posted on February 13, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
recipe-venison-hawaiian-meatballs_lead.jpg

Sweet and tangy sauce with pineapple chunks conjures up images of a Hawaiian dinner. Add meatballs, and you have the perfect accompaniment for a plate of rice. If you want to get creative, use a cocktail skewer to serve a meatball and pineapple chunk, dripping in sauce, as an appetizer.

Any venison will work for this recipe with the breadcrumbs, egg and milk. Many hunters add ground pork for moisture, so meatballs do not crumble. The breadcrumbs will help hold the milk's moisture, binding the meat together with the egg as it cooks.

If you have a favorite barbecue sauce, add a cup to the sauce for a unique flavor. If you want a thick sauce, use cornstarch and chicken broth to add to the sauce while simmering. A loose sauce works well with rice, as it is absorbed with every forkful.

Sauce Ingredients
• two 14 oz. cans tomato sauce
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• one 14 oz. can pineapple chunks with juice
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 Tbsp ginger, crushed
• 2 Tbsp hot sauce
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• salt and pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dry mustard

Directions
1. In a medium saucepan, combine all sauce ingredients, bring to a slow boil, then reduce the heat to simmer until the meatballs are browning in the pan.

Venison Hawaiian Meatball Sauce


Meatball Ingredients

• 1½ lbs. ground venison
• 4 pieces of bacon, diced fine
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, crushed
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 green bell pepper, cubed
• 1 medium onion, cubed
• rice for serving

Directions
1. Combine the ground venison, bacon, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, onion, garlic, ginger, salt and pepper, and blend well. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, rolled firmly in the palm of your hand.

2. Heat oil to medium-high in a large Camp Chef Dutch oven. Add venison meatballs and brown on all sides. Cook the meatballs for 4 to 6 minutes and add the onion and green pepper.

3. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and bring to a simmer. Cook with the lid off for 30 minutes, and the sauce will thicken on its own.

4. Serve over rice or eat meatballs and pineapple chunks as an appetizer.

For more delicious wild-game recipes, click here.

Latest

LEDE Peak Alloy Empty Cases
LEDE Peak Alloy Empty Cases

Federal Signs Agreement with U.S. Army to Accelerate High-Performance Ammunition

Federal Ammunition has announced an agreement that allows the United States Army to utilize its patented Peak Alloy ammunition case technology for use in multiple cartridges and weapon systems. The new agreement specifies conditions necessary prior to granting Government Purpose Rights, such as the delivery of 40-million cases featuring the new technology.

NRA Announces 2026 Y.E.S. Grand Scholarship Recipients

The National Rifle Association has awarded $15,000 in college scholarships to attendees of the 2025 NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) through the Y.E.S. Grand Scholarship program.

Recipe: Venison Empanadas

When Brad Fenson makes venison empanadas, the goal is simple. Keep the meat front and center, add enough flavor to complement it, and make a filling that stays juicy without overpowering the wild proteins. The filling is rich, balanced, and built to highlight venison, whether baked or fried.

Proof Research Unveils Shorter Barrels for Elevation 2.0 and MTR 2.0

Proof Research has announced shorter-barrel configurations for the Proof Elevation 2.0 and Elevation MTR 2.0. Both the Proof Elevation 2.0 and Elevation MTR 2.0 in shorter barrel configurations are available in Tactical Flat Dark Earth (TFDE) and the all-new Midnight color, offering shooters greater customization options alongside Proof Research's carbon fiber technology.

Range Review: Midwest Industries Bounty Hunter Revolver Brace

Thanks to Midwest Industries new Revolver Brace, you can easily mount a stabilizing brace to your favorite hunting revolvers. Check out B. Gil Horman's review of this game-changing product.

First Look: Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894

Marlin has introduced its Mad Pig Customs Model 1894, a rifle developed—as its name implies—in collaboration with Mad Pig Customs. Built on Marlin's iconic lever‑action rifle platform, this model delivers modern, factory‑installed features previously found only on custom builds.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.