Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like you to all welcome my 10th meatballs recipe to the meal prep scene. When I bought 80 pounds of ground beef last Fall, I had no idea what kind of meatball dynasty I was building. There’s no going back now. And this bunch of Jamaican Jerk Meatballs meatballs, they’re a powerhouse. Smoky, spicy, sweet, and sitting on a fluffy bed of coconut rice like a king on its throne. And that pineapple salsa? It’s a tropical punch to the face. This meal is high-protein, high-flavor, and meal prep that actually makes you look forward to lunch. No regrets. Let’s get in there.
Jamaican Jerk Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 2 lbs ground beef 93% lean
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 green onions finely chopped
For the Pineapple Salsa:
- 1 ½ cups fresh pineapple diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- ½ red onion finely chopped
- 1 jalapeño finely diced (optional for heat)
- 2 tbsp cilantro chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt to taste
For the Coconut Rice:
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
Make the Meatballs:
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, allspice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, and green onions. Mix until well combined.2 lbs ground beef, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1 tsp allspice, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp cayenne pepper, ½ tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp ground ginger, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp honey, 2 green onions, ¼ tsp nutmeg
- Roll into 1.5-inch meatballs and place on a greased baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes (or air fry for 12-15 minutes) until cooked through and slightly charred.
Cook the Coconut Rice:
- Rinse jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear.
- Cook Jasmine rice with 1 tbsp coconut oil & added salt according to your preferred method. I love my rice cooker!1 cup jasmine rice, 1 tbsp coconut oil, ½ tsp salt
Prepare the Pineapple Salsa:
- In a bowl, mix together diced pineapple, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice.1 ½ cups fresh pineapple, 1 red bell pepper, ½ red onion, 1 jalapeño, 2 tbsp cilantro, Juice of 1 lime, Salt to taste
- Season with salt to taste and let it sit for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Assemble & Serve:
- Divide coconut rice into meal prep containers.
- Top with Jamaican jerk meatballs.
- Spoon pineapple salsa over the top or on the side.
- Garnish with extra cilantro or lime wedges if desired.
Nutrition
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👉 Meaningful Macros – Jamaican Jerk Meatballs in MyFitnessPal.
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Why You’ll Love These Jamaican Jerk Meatballs
🔥 Bold, smoky jerk seasoning – brings Caribbean heat & flavor.
🔥 Tropical pineapple salsa – sweet, tangy, and perfectly refreshing.
🔥 Creamy coconut rice – balances the spice for an irresistible meal.
🔥 Packed with 59g of protein – high-protein meal prep at its finest.
Ingredient Substitutions & Customizations
💥 Swap the protein – Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
💥 Lower the carbs – Swap coconut rice for cauliflower rice.
💥 Add extra heat – Toss in extra jalapeño or Scotch bonnet pepper.
💥 Make it gluten-free – Use gluten-free breadcrumbs & tamari instead of soy sauce.
💥 Try a different salsa – Swap pineapple for mango or papaya for a fun twist.
Expert Tips for Perfect Jamaican Jerk Meatballs
🔥 Use fresh spices – ensures the jerk seasoning is bold & flavorful.
🔥 Air fry for extra crispiness – 12-15 min at 375°F works beautifully.
🔥 Let the pineapple salsa sit – enhances the flavors before serving.
🔥 Char the meatballs slightly – gives them an authentic jerk-style sear.
Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips
🥡 Storage: Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the fridge.
🔥 Reheating: Microwave in 90-second intervals, stirring between.
🍽️ Pair it with: Steamed cabbage or roasted plantains for extra Caribbean flair.
🧄 Garnish ideas: Extra cilantro, lime wedges, or a drizzle of jerk sauce.
Optional Garnishes
🌿 Extra chopped cilantro
🍋 Lime wedges
🔥 Jerk sauce drizzle