Description
These Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs are a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors, featuring tender frozen meatballs simmered in a pineapple BBQ sauce with bell peppers. Perfect for parties, game days, or a simple weeknight dinner served over rice, this easy slow cooker recipe requires minimal preparation and delivers maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 lbs frozen meatballs
- 20 oz can pineapple chunks, drained (juice reserved)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ teaspoon ginger powder
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Crockpot: Add the frozen meatballs, pineapple chunks, and chopped red bell pepper into the slow cooker, spreading them evenly for consistent cooking.
- Make the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, white vinegar, minced garlic, and ginger powder until well combined and smooth.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the meatballs and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid.
- Slow Cook: Set the slow cooker to LOW and cook for 4 to 5 hours, or set to HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. Cook until the meatballs are heated through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Finish and Serve: Stir the mixture thoroughly to coat the meatballs evenly with the sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving. Enjoy hot over rice or as a party appetizer.
Notes
- Make sure to drain the pineapple chunks to avoid excess liquid, but reserve the juice if you want to add a splash of sweetness or adjust the sauce consistency.
- You can use pre-cooked frozen meatballs to reduce cooking time further.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the BBQ sauce mixture.
- These meatballs can be kept warm in the slow cooker for up to 2 hours after cooking but avoid overcooking to prevent them from drying out.
- Serve these meatballs over steamed rice or alongside crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
