Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs — The EASIEST slow cooker meatball recipe that’s sure to be a hit at parties and events! Or turn this into a no-fuss weeknight meal and serve these pineapple-infused Hawaiian meatballs over rice! Made with only 6 ingredients so you can just set your slow cooker and let it do all the work!
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Hawaiian Pineapple Meatballs in a Crockpot
When it’s time for the easiest, 6-ingredient slow cooker recipe in the world that’s sure to impress friends and family alike, look no further than these Hawaiian meatballs.
They’re tender, juicy, moist, and infused with wonderful pineapple flavor.
Best of all, this is literally a dump-and-stir recipe where you allow your slow cooker to do all the work for you! And isn’t that the best kind of recipe.
Whether it’s a summer backyard get-together, tailgating season, a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party, this recipe is so versatile and practical.
You can even serve them as a no-fuss weeknight meal with rice or veggies when it’s too hot or you’re too tired to cook.
Ingredients in Hawaiian Meatballs
For this super easy Crockpot appetizer meatballs recipe, you’ll only need six commonly found ingredients including:
- Hawaiian-style barbecue sauce
- Soy sauce (lite or reduced-sodium)
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
- Frozen, cooked meatballs
- Canned pineapple chunks
- Chives, optional for garnishing
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs
It really doesn’t get any simpler than this recipe! Here’s an overview of how to make meatballs in a Crockpot with pineapple:
- Simply combine and stir together the bbq sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic.
- Add the meatballs and drained pineapple to your slow cooker, cover with the bbq sauce mixture, and slow cook them.
- Optionally garnish with chives before serving up these saucy Hawaiian meatballs.
Recipe FAQs
I always opt to cook the Crockpot pineapple meatballs on low for 6 hours or so. Low and slow is the best method when making meatballs in a slow cooker!
It’s really up to you and what your timetable and plans are. If you’d like to cook the meatballs on low heat, they’ll need 5 to 6 hours. On high heat, about 2 to 3 hours. Since you’re starting with previously cooked meatballs you don’t have to worry about if they’re cooked through. The longer you cook them, the thicker and more concentrated the flavor of the sauce will be. All slow cookers cook differently based on the brand, size, and so forth, so just keep an eye on them.
I used my basic 7-quart slow cooker but I think anything ranging from approximately 6 to 8 quarts will be fine.
I recommend Hawaiian Style BBQ Sauce because it adds wonderful extra pineapple flavor to the meatballs. However, you can certainly switch it up with your favorite BBQ sauce. I can imagine that something like a Carolina Gold style barbecue sauce would also be nice.
I have used everything from Costco to store brands to Trader Joe’s, and I honestly go with whatever is fairly reasonable. There is so much flavor in the sauce with these Hawaiian meatballs so that will help things out, too!
I don’t thaw the meatballs ahead of time, although you could if you are planning ahead. Keep in mind that if you set them out to thaw for a bit before adding them to the slow cooker, you’ll likely be able to shave off some of the cooking time estimates I provided.
I’ve only tested this recipe using canned pineapple packed in water, so I’m not sure if you can substitute frozen pineapple or not. Probably yes, but use at your own discretion.
Tips for Making Hawaiian Pineapple Crockpot Meatballs
Hawaiian meatballs can be served as an appetizer or as a meal. We love to spoon the Hawaiian meatballs and all that tasty sauce over rice and eat it as a meal.
However, they’re a great appetizer or party food. Set out some toothpicks or a serving spoon and let folks help themselves. I promise everyone will want this super easy recipe!
I use lite or reduced sodium soy sauce because that’s enough saltiness for us. Generally barbecue sauce is also high in sodium, and combined with the lite soy sauce, there’s plenty of flavor there, not to worry.
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Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs
Ingredients
- 18 ounces Hawaiian-Style BBQ Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce, I use lite or reduced sodium
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 26- ounce bag frozen, previously cooked meatballs
- two 20-ounce cans pineapple chunks, drained
- fresh chives, finely minced; optional for garnishing
Instructions
- To a large bowl, add the Hawaiian BBQ Sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and stir to combine; set aside.
- To a 7-quart slow cooker (or similar sized such as 6 to 8 quarts) add the meatballs* and drained pineapple chunks (discard the liquid or save the juice for another use), add the bbq sauce mixture, and stir to evenly coat.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook for 2 to 3 hours on HIGH. Or 5 to 6 hours on LOW**.
- Optionally garnish with chives and serve. Meatballs are best warm and fresh but will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I made it today, it was good. I have a lot of leftover meatballs but that’s a good thing
great
What brand of frozen meatballs do you recommend or do you have a basic meatball recipe that you would suggest? I’ve only tried one variety of frozen meatballs which I thought lacked flavor.
Honestly I have used everything from Costco to store brands to Trader Joe’s, I honestly go with whatever is fairly reasonable. There is so much flavor in the sauce with these so that will help things out, too!
Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.
Oh interesting! I love this, and it looks so great.
great
where can you get the Hawiian barbecue sauce?
https://amzn.to/3lWYrVf