Craving something tropical? These Crockpot Hawaiian meatballs bring island vibes straight to your dinner table!
This dish is the perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and savory.
And let me tell you, these meatballs disappear fast every time I make them.
What I love most is how versatile they are. Need an appetizer? Done. Looking for a main dish? Serve them over steamy white rice.
They’re so easy to make, too. Just set the Crockpot, forget it, and dig in!
Why You’ll Love These Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs
Time-Saver: Simply dump the ingredients in the Crockpot and let it do all the work.
Sweet and Savory: The combination of tangy BBQ sauce and sweet pineapple creates an irresistible taste. It transforms ordinary frozen meatballs into a memorable tropical-inspired dish.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare them hours before serving and keep them warm in the Crockpot throughout an event.
Budget-Friendly: The recipe calls for frozen meatballs and common pantry staples. It’s a budget-friendly choice for feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
- Frozen Meatballs: Pre-cooked, frozen meatballs provide a convenient base for this dish and absorb the sweet-savory sauce perfectly. They can be beef, pork, or turkey-based.
- Pineapple Chunks: Canned pineapple adds tropical sweetness and tender texture to the dish. The reserved juice helps create a Hawaiian-inspired sauce and tenderizes the meatballs.
- BBQ Sauce: It forms the foundation of the sauce, offering a tangy, sweet, and smoky flavor.
- Garlic: It balances the sweetness of the pineapple and BBQ sauce while enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Green Onions or Chives: They add a crisp texture contrast to the tender meatballs.
How to Make Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs
Meals don’t get much easier than this! As I said earlier, just set it and forget it!
1. Prepare the sauce. In a medium bowl, mix the BBQ sauce, reserved 1/4 cup pineapple juice, and minced garlic until well combined.
2. Assemble in the Crockpot. Place the frozen meatballs in the crockpot. Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs, ensuring they are evenly coated. Add the pineapple chunks on top.
3. Cook. Cover the Crockpot and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, stirring once or twice to ensure the sauce coats the meatballs evenly.
4. Serve. Once cooked, garnish with green onions or chives. Serve warm as an appetizer with toothpicks or as a main dish over rice for a complete Hawaiian-inspired meal. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs
I’ve made this recipe countless times, so here are some of my best tips.
- Quality is key. Opt for high-quality frozen meatballs to save time and ensure uniform cooking. There’s no need to thaw first. They’ll maintain their shape better and help thicken the sauce as they cook.
- Want a fresher taste? Swap frozen meatballs for homemade ones. Mix 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp salt; form into 1-inch balls and pre-bake at 400°F for 15 minutes before adding to the Crockpot.
- Pick your favorite BBQ sauce. Use your favorite BBQ sauce to tailor the sweetness or smokiness of the recipe. Prefer a tangier twist? Add a splash of vinegar or hot sauce.
- Change the consistency. For optimal sauce thickness, check during the last hour of cooking. If it’s too thin, leave the lid slightly ajar to reduce. If it’s too thick, add a splash of pineapple juice.
- Try tasty add-ins. Customize by adding bell peppers, red onion slices, or even water chestnuts for extra crunch and color. For a touch of heat, mix in a pinch of chili flakes or Sriracha.
- Serve them your way. Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks or over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice as a hearty main course. They also pair well with Hawaiian rolls for sliders or over noodles for a fun twist.
How to Store
To keep your meatballs fresh for days, follow these steps.
To Store: Place the cooled meatballs and sauce in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking for food safety.
To Freeze: Allow the meatballs to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. For the best results, store the meatballs in their sauce to maintain moisture during freezing.
To Reheat: Place the meatballs and sauce in a covered pot over medium-low heat until simmering, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave in 30-second intervals at 50% power until heated through.
Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs
8
servings5
minutes5
hours89
kcalGet a taste of the tropics with these Crockpot Hawaiian meatballs! They’re sweet, savory, and so perfect for entertaining.
Ingredients
32 oz frozen meatballs
20 oz can pineapple chunks, drained (reserve 1/4 cup juice)
2 cups BBQ sauce
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
Green onions or chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the BBQ sauce, reserved 1/4 cup pineapple juice, and minced garlic until well combined.
- Place the frozen meatballs in the Crockpot. Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs, ensuring they are evenly coated. Add the pineapple chunks on top.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, stirring once or twice to ensure the sauce coats the meatballs evenly.
- Once cooked, garnish with green onions or chives. Serve warm as an appetizer with toothpicks or as a main dish over rice for a complete Hawaiian-inspired meal. Enjoy!
