Hawaiian meatballs deliver a delightful sweet and tangy taste! Prepared in a slow cooker with just 5 ingredients, they come together easily and quickly.
These meatballs are great as a main dish during dinner or can be enjoyed as an appetizer or party snack at potlucks, family gatherings, neighborhood barbecues, or holiday celebrations.
Easy Crock Pot Meatballs
In the past year, I have rediscovered my love for meatballs! While they may seem common, they truly are a fantastic way to achieve great flavor with minimal effort.
Here are a few reasons why meatballs can be an invaluable ally in your kitchen:
- They can be purchased or made ahead and frozen, making prep super simple
- They’re perfect for the slow cooker, allowing you to concentrate on other tasks
- They pair wonderfully with nearly any flavor combination– today we’re going with Hawaiian!
- They come in a variety of meats to suit any preference (beef, pork, turkey, chicken, or even vegetarian and vegan options!)
Considering all these factors, meatballs are a versatile choice for cooking.
This Hawaiian Meatballs recipe features a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors. You can have it ready in under 5 minutes, while the crock pot manages the melding of the savory tastes.
With minimal effort, they consistently turn out perfectly! A friend once made this dish and served it to a group of Italian visitors, and she texted me afterward saying they were all praising the meatballs! Even though this isn’t an Italian dish, I’m happy to accept the compliment!
Tips for Making Hawaiian Meatballs
This recipe is as straightforward as promised. I’ll outline my tips and notes for creating Hawaiian Meatballs in the crock pot, hoping to address any potential questions that might arise during the cooking process.
Don’t forget to scroll to the end of the post for the COMPLETE recipe card.
Ingredients
With just 5 ingredients, these meatballs come together quickly. I’ll highlight some options for each ingredient below so you can choose what suits you best!
Meatballs
As a key ingredient for this dish, the type of meatballs you select will significantly influence the flavor and your enjoyment of the meal.
The recipe calls for frozen, pre-cooked meatballs, but you can use homemade ones or store-bought for convenience.
If you opt for homemade meatballs, consider using these ground turkey meatballs, or your preferred recipe.
For frozen varieties, you can choose any option that appeals to you, including:
- Beef
- Pork
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Vegetarian or Vegan
Any of these options or a mix of meats will work well, provided they are plain meatballs without coatings or added flavors (like buffalo or teriyaki).
Pineapple
We will incorporate pineapple chunks for the Hawaiian meatballs. While I typically use canned pineapple, fresh pineapple is also an option if that’s your preference.
Avoid using crushed pineapple as it tends to have a higher liquid content which, if not drained properly, can make the sauce watery.
For this recipe, use a 20 oz can and drain the juice, setting aside 1/4 cup to mix into the sauce.
Using chunks delivers bursts of flavor, while the reserved juice contributes to the sweet and tangy Hawaiian essence.
BBQ Sauce
The final essential ingredient is BBQ sauce. Opt for a traditional tomato-based barbecue sauce rather than a vinegar-based one.
I personally enjoy the original Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce for this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite sauce, whatever that may be.
Recipe Step by Step
To create the sauce for the Hawaiian meatballs, combine BBQ sauce, pineapple chunks, garlic, and green onions in a crockpot.
Combine the BBQ sauce and layer it with meatballs. While I opted for frozen meatballs, you can also use homemade ones that have been pre-prepared.
Stir everything together, then secure the lid on the slow cooker and allow it to cook.
After cooking, give it another stir and serve over rice for dinner. Alternatively, keep it warm in the slow cooker or use toothpicks to offer the meatballs with pineapple as appetizers.
Cooking Time for Meatballs in the Crock Pot
Since the meatballs are previously cooked, the time spent cooking focuses on bringing them to an appropriate serving temperature while allowing the sauce’s flavor to meld.
Cook the meatballs on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours in the crock pot, ensuring they reach the serving temperature of 165˚F.
Variations on the Recipe
If you’d like to explore different flavors, here are several exciting variations for these Hawaiian Meatballs:
- Spicy Hawaiian Meatballs – Follow the recipe as directed, adding 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper and up to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, adjusting to your taste preference.
- Teriyaki Hawaiian Meatballs – Swap the BBQ sauce for teriyaki glaze and follow the original instructions.
- Hawaiian Meatballs & Peppers – Include 1 chopped bell pepper (red or green) and 1/2 a sweet yellow onion in the mixture before cooking.
- Sticky Hawaiian Meatballs – Instead of using canned pineapple, incorporate 1 cup of pineapple jelly to create a thicker, stickier sauce.
Dietary Considerations: This recipe is easily adaptable.
### Dietary Adaptations
– **Dairy-Free**: This dish can be made dairy-free using dairy-free meatballs, which are available frozen or can be made using a dedicated dairy-free meatball recipe.
– **Gluten-Free**: To accommodate gluten restrictions, opt for gluten-free meatballs, which can often be found in the frozen food section, or utilize a gluten-free meatball recipe.
– **Low-Carb**: For a lower carbohydrate count, utilize sugar-free BBQ sauce and low-carb meatballs. A recipe for these can be found here.
### Freezer Meal Preparation
Hawaiian Meatballs make an excellent freezer meal that can be enjoyed later.
1. Store the meatballs in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container.
2. Combine BBQ sauce with pineapple, its reserved juice, garlic, and onions.
3. Pour the mixture over the meatballs and mix until they are well coated.
4. Freeze the prepared meal.
5. When you’re ready to enjoy it, you can defrost it overnight in the refrigerator or cook it straight from frozen in a slow cooker.
– This meal is best consumed within three months of freezing.
### Serving Suggestions for Hawaiian Meatballs
One of the standout features of this recipe is its versatility; it can function as an appetizer, a main course, or a fun party dish.
#### As an Appetizer
To serve as an appetizer, you might consider:
– Keeping it in the slow cooker on the warm setting.
– Skewering the meatballs with pineapple chunks on toothpicks.
#### As an Entree
For an entrée, you can spoon the meatballs over a side and garnish with chopped green onions or serve them as sliders on Hawaiian rolls. Suggested pairings include:
– **Rice**: Both plain white or brown rice are suitable.
– **Mashed Potatoes**: Extra creamy varieties are recommended.
– **Cauliflower Rice**
– **Zoodles**: Make them from scratch or buy them pre-packaged.
### Side Dish Recommendations
When serving this as a main dish, consider adding a side or two to create a balanced and nourishing dinner.
### Repurposing Leftover Meatballs
If you find yourself with leftover Hawaiian Meatballs, you’re in luck! They store well and can be transformed into several delicious dishes later in the week. Keep them refrigerated for 3-4 days or freeze them for up to a month.
#### Creative Uses for Leftover Hawaiian Meatballs
– **Hawaiian Meatball Pizza**: Spread BBQ sauce on a prepared pizza crust, add mozzarella or provolone cheese, top with chopped meatballs and pineapple, and bake as per instructions.
– **Hawaiian Meatball Kabobs**: Cut bell peppers and onions into chunks. Thread them onto kabob sticks with meatballs and pineapple pieces. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
– **Hawaiian Meatball Sliders**: Halve sweet Hawaiian rolls and place the bottoms in a baking dish. Add a meatball to each roll, drizzle with chopped pineapple and sauce, and bake.
– **Hawaiian Meatball and Rice Bowl**: Combine equal parts mayonnaise and Asian sweet chili sauce, adding sriracha for a spicy kick. Toss the mixture with coleslaw. Create a bowl by layering cooked rice, Hawaiian meatballs, pineapple, and topping it with Asian slaw.
### More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
We hope you and your family love this recipe as much as we do! If so, consider exploring more of our simple and delicious slow cooker meals, perfect for busy weeknights and always family-approved!
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Instructions
In a slow cooker, combine barbecue sauce, pineapple chunks, the reserved juice, garlic, and green onions; mix until smooth.
Add the meatballs to the slow cooker, stirring them into the sauce until thoroughly coated.
Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours, until they reach an internal temperature of 165˚F.
Recipe Notes
Storage Instructions: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to one month.Reheating Instructions: These meatballs can be reheated in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 623kcal (31%), Carbohydrates: 54g (18%), Protein: 27g (54%), Fat: 32g (49%), Saturated Fat: 11g (69%), Cholesterol: 108mg (36%), Sodium: 1066mg (46%), Potassium: 802mg (23%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 45g (50%), Vitamin A: 350IU (7%), Vitamin C: 12.6mg (15%), Calcium: 77mg (8%), Iron: 2.4mg (13%)
