Description

Sweet, tangy, and irresistibly saucy, these Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs are the ultimate fuss-free crowd-pleaser. Juicy meatballs are slow-cooked in a sticky pineapple and BBQ glaze with tender bell peppers and sweet onions, creating a tropical-inspired dish that’s perfect for parties, game day, or an easy family dinner. Just toss everything into your slow cooker and let the magic happen!

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Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

2 lbs frozen fully cooked beef meatballs (or turkey or chicken, if preferred)

For the Hawaiian Sauce:

1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice (drain and reserve juice)
1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
½ cup pineapple juice (from the can)
⅓ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ginger powder or grated fresh ginger (optional for depth)

Add-ins:

1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
Optional garnish: chopped green onions or sesame seeds

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and ginger until smooth.

Step 2: Load the Crockpot

Place frozen meatballs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add pineapple chunks, chopped bell peppers, and onion on top.
Pour the prepared sauce evenly over everything.
Stir gently to coat the meatballs and veggies in the sauce.

Step 3: Cook Low and Slow

Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until meatballs are hot and the peppers are tender.
Stir once or twice during cooking if possible to keep the sauce evenly distributed.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Just before serving, stir again and sprinkle with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Serve hot as a main dish or appetizer.

Notes

Use Quality Meatballs – Choose flavorful, fully cooked meatballs with minimal fillers.
Balance Sweetness – Use a tangy BBQ sauce to contrast the sweetness of the pineapple.
Don’t Overcook – Check at the 4-hour mark on low to avoid mushy peppers.
Make It Spicier – Add a few dashes of hot sauce or red pepper flakes if you like heat.
Double the Batch – Great for a crowd—just use a larger slow cooker.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours (low)
Cuisine: Hawaiian-American Fusion