Hawaiian meatballs offer a delightful mix of sweet and tangy flavors! Prepared in the crock pot with just five ingredients, they can be ready to cook in a flash!
These meatballs are ideal as a dinner entrée or can be served as appetizers or party bites for potlucks, family gatherings, backyard BBQs, or holiday celebrations.
Easy Crock Pot Meatballs
Over the past year, I’ve rekindled my affection for meatballs! While they may seem simple, they are an incredible way to excel in both taste and convenience.
Here are several reasons why meatballs can become your culinary ally:
- They can be purchased or homemade and frozen, making preparation a breeze.
- They work exceptionally well in a slow cooker, allowing you to focus on other tasks.
- They complement almost any flavor profile—today, we’re opting for a Hawaiian twist!
- They can be made with a variety of meats to suit your preference (beef, pork, turkey, chicken, or even vegetarian and vegan options).
These attributes make meatballs a versatile choice for a range of dishes.
This Hawaiian Meatballs recipe features a delightful combination of flavors. You can prep it in under five minutes, and the crock pot will work its magic, bringing all the tasty ingredients together.
With minimal effort, the results are consistently excellent! A friend of mine served this recipe to a group of Italian visitors, and she texted me afterward, excited to share that they raved about the meatballs! While this dish isn’t Italian in origin, given their expertise in meatballs, I certainly appreciate the compliment!
Tips for Making Hawaiian Meatballs
This recipe is as straightforward as promised. I’ll outline my notes and tips for preparing Hawaiian Meatballs in the crock pot, aiming to address any questions you may have during the cooking process.
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the complete recipe card.
Ingredients
Featuring only five ingredients, these meatballs come together quickly. I’ll highlight a few options for each ingredient so you can choose what suits you best!
Meatballs
As a key ingredient, the type of meatballs you select will significantly affect the flavor and enjoyment of this dish.
This recipe calls for frozen, pre-cooked meatballs. You can use either homemade or store-bought options for convenience.
If you opt for homemade meatballs, you might try these ground turkey meatballs or your favorite meatball recipe.
When using frozen meatballs, feel free to select any variety that you prefer, including:
- Beef
- Pork
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Vegetarian or Vegan
Any of these types—or a combination—will work well, provided they are simple meatballs and not pre-seasoned or glazed (such as buffalo or teriyaki flavors).
Pineapple
For the Hawaiian Meatballs, we’ll use pineapple chunks. While I typically use canned pineapple, fresh pineapple can be an option if you prefer that.
Avoid using crushed pineapple due to its higher liquid content, which can result in a runny sauce.
You’ll need a 20 oz can, draining the juice and reserving 1/4 cup for the sauce.
The chunks provide delightful bursts of flavor, while the reserved juice adds to the signature sweet and tangy Hawaiian taste.
BBQ Sauce
The final essential ingredient is BBQ sauce. Be sure to choose a traditional tomato-based sauce rather than a vinegar base.
I personally enjoy using the original Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce in this recipe, but feel free to use that or any favorite sauce of yours.
Recipe Step by Step
To create the sauce for the Hawaiian meatballs, mix BBQ sauce, pineapple chunks, garlic, and green onions in a crockpot.
Combine the BBQ sauce and then add the meatballs on top. I opted for frozen meatballs here, but you can also use homemade meatballs prepared ahead of time.
Stir everything together, then cover the slow cooker and let it cook.
When cooking is complete, stir once more. You can serve over rice for dinner or keep them warm in the slow cooker as an appetizer with meatballs and pineapple chunks on toothpicks.
Cooking Time for Meatballs in the Crock Pot
As the meatballs are already cooked, the focus now is simply on warming them to the proper temperature and allowing the sauce flavors to meld.
Cook them on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours in the slow cooker, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165˚F before serving.
Recipe Variations
If you wish to explore different flavors, consider these variations for your Hawaiian Meatballs:
- Spicy Hawaiian Meatballs – Follow the original recipe, incorporating 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper and up to 1/4 to 1 teaspoon of cayenne for your desired heat level.
- Teriyaki Hawaiian Meatballs – Substitute the BBQ sauce with teriyaki glaze and prepare as instructed.
- Hawaiian Meatballs & Peppers – Make as directed while adding one chopped red or green bell pepper and half a sweet yellow onion into the mixture prior to cooking.
- Sticky Hawaiian Meatballs – Replace the canned pineapple with 1 cup of pineapple jelly for a thicker glaze. Cook as directed.
Dietary Considerations: This recipe is easily adaptable to fit various dietary needs.
### Dietary Adaptations
This recipe is versatile enough to cater to various dietary preferences:
– **Dairy-Free:** To make it dairy-free, simply use dairy-free meatballs, which you can find in the frozen section or prepare using this Dairy-Free meatball recipe.
– **Gluten-Free:** You can opt for gluten-free meatballs, readily available in most grocery stores, or use this Gluten-Free meatball recipe.
– **Low-Carb:** The carbohydrate content can be significantly lowered by using sugar-free BBQ sauce along with low-carb meatballs. For a recipe, check here.
### Freezer Meal Instructions
Hawaiian Meatballs are perfect for making ahead as a freezer meal for future meals.
1. Store the meatballs in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container.
2. Combine the BBQ sauce with pineapple, its reserved juice, garlic, and onions.
3. Pour the mixture over the meatballs and stir to ensure they’re evenly coated.
4. Freeze until needed.
5. To serve, either thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or cook it directly from frozen in a slow cooker.
Make sure to consume it within three months for the best taste.
### Serving Suggestions for Hawaiian Meatballs
One of the aspects I appreciate most about this recipe is its versatility; it can serve as an appetizer, an entrée, or a bite-sized snack for gatherings.
**As an Appetizer:**
– Keep it warm in the slow cooker.
– Serve the meatballs with a chunk of pineapple on a toothpick.
**As an Entree:**
Spoon the meatballs over a side dish and garnish with chopped green onions, or use them to create sliders on Hawaiian rolls. They pair wonderfully with:
– Rice – both plain white and brown rice are great options.
– Mashed Potatoes – especially the creamy variety!
– Cauliflower Rice
– Zoodles – homemade or purchased from the produce section.
### Side Dishes
When serving as a main dish, complement the Hawaiian Meatballs with one or more sides to create a balanced meal.
### Leftover Meatballs
If you happen to have leftover Hawaiian Meatballs, consider yourself lucky! They reheat beautifully and can be transformed into several delicious meals throughout the week. They can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to a month.
**Ideas for Using Leftover Hawaiian Meatballs:**
– **Hawaiian Meatball Pizza:** Spread BBQ sauce over a pizza crust, sprinkle with mozzarella or provolone, chop the meatballs, and top with them along with pineapple before baking as per instructions.
– **Hawaiian Meatball Kabobs:** Cut bell peppers and onions into chunks, then thread them onto kabob sticks along with the meatballs and pineapple. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
– **Hawaiian Meatball Sliders:** Cut a pack of sweet Hawaiian rolls in half and place the bottoms in a baking dish. Add a meatball to each, then drizzle with the pineapple and sauce mix.
– **Hawaiian Meatball Rice Bowl:** Create a dressing by mixing equal parts mayonnaise and Asian sweet chili sauce, adding sriracha if you like it spicy. Combine with coleslaw mix and serve over rice, topped with meatballs and pineapple.
### More Easy Crock Pot Meals
I trust you and your family will enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If it resonates with you, take the time to explore more of our simple and scrumptious slow cooker recipes, perfect for busy weeknights and family-friendly!
people
Instructions
In a slow cooker, mix the barbecue sauce, pineapple chunks, reserved pineapple juice, garlic, and green onions until well combined.
Add the meatballs into the slow cooker and stir until they are evenly coated with the sauce.
Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F.
Recipe Notes
Storage Instructions: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to a month.Reheating Instructions: Reheat the meatballs 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%)
