Description
Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender meatballs simmered in a sweet and tangy pineapple sauce with colorful bell peppers and aromatic garlic and ginger. Perfect for a family dinner or party appetizer, this slow-cooked recipe delivers a delightful combination of savory and tropical flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs and Vegetables
- 2 pounds frozen meatballs (beef, pork, or turkey)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
Sauce
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
Thickening and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks, drained
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, and rice vinegar until well combined to create a balanced sweet and tangy sauce base.
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Place the frozen meatballs, chopped red and green bell peppers, minced garlic, and grated ginger (if using) into the crockpot. Pour the prepared sauce over everything and gently stir to evenly distribute the sauce and ingredients.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the meatballs are heated through and the peppers have softened, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with water to form a slurry and stir it into the crockpot. This step thickens the sauce to a luscious consistency without overpowering the dish.
- Add Pineapple: Add drained pineapple chunks to the crockpot and gently stir to combine. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes to warm the pineapple and blend its sweetness into the sauce.
- Serve: Garnish the meatballs with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a fresh and nutty finish. Serve hot over rice or noodles, or offer as a flavorful appetizer with toothpicks.
Notes
- Using frozen meatballs saves preparation time and works perfectly in the crockpot.
- To add heat, include red pepper flakes as desired.
- Fresh ginger adds a subtle spicy note but can be omitted if unavailable.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free soy sauce.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
