Crock Pot Hawaiian Meatballs smothered in a sweet, tangy sauce with pineapple and fresh ginger are cooked low and slow, making them tender and juicy. These succulent meatballs are a slow cooker masterpiece and are great served as an appetizer or main dish!
Meatballs are a favorite in my family. Whether it’s Crock Pot Bourbon Meatballs, Easy Party Cocktail Meatballs, or Homemade Meatball With Sauce, they always disappear fast!
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5-Star Comment
Awesome meatballs! A big hit at our get together and everyone wanted the recipe! Was almost like sweet and sour. Will make them many times again! Pate
My boys have always been obsessed with my meatball recipe. I think that Hunter could probably eat them every day of the week and has been known to scarf down at least 4 helpings at a time.
To keep these guys happy, I’ve come up with a new recipe for meatballs that has them totally smitten. I’ve combined meatballs, chunks of pineapple, fresh ginger, and a sweet, tangy sauce for a flavor combination that’s crazy good!
Just like my Bourbon Meatballs, this recipe is cooked in the crockpot. It only takes about 2 hours for the meatballs to cook, which makes everyone in my house super happy.
Ingredients For Crock Pot Hawaiian Meatballs
- Frozen Or Homemade Meatballs
- Canned Pineapple Chunks
- Your Favorite BBQ Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Rice Wine Vinegar
- Brown Sugar
- Fresh Ginger
- Garlic
Success Tip
If you are short on time and can’t make homemade meatballs, don’t worry, frozen work great in this recipe. These days, meatballs come in all types of varieties, like turkey, chicken, vegetarian, and vegan, so check out the frozen section in the grocery store for one that suits your preference.
How To Make Pineapple Meatballs In The Slow Cooker
This is essentially a set-it-forget-it recipe. Here’s how it comes together:
- Add frozen meatballs to the slow cooker.
- Drain the pineapple chunks and add them to the meatballs.
- Add the BBQ sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and brown sugar to a medium-sized bowl and whisk until blended.
- Using a micro plane, grate fresh ginger and garlic into the sauce. Whisk again and pour the sauce over the meatballs and pineapple. Gently toss everything together, then cover with the lid. Cook the meatballs on high for 2-3 hours and on low for 5-6 hours.
Do The Meatballs Need To Be Thawed?
Nope. Just put the frozen meatballs in the crock pot and let it work its magic.
How Long To Cook Meatballs In The Crock Pot
Since the meatballs are already fully cooked, the temperature and time setting is more about heating the meatballs and infusing them with flavor.
- Cook on high for 2-3 hours.
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
The meatballs are fully heated through when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
What To Serve With Hawaiian Meatballs
When I serve these yummy little bites as an appetizer, I like to serve them with Baked Cheese Sticks and Southern Deviled Eggs.
They are fantastic for dinner with Baked Fettuccini with cheese and Roasted Broccoli.
More Crock Pot Recipes You’ll Love
If you tried this Crock Pot Hawaiian Meatballs Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds frozen meatballs
- 1 20 ounce can pineapple chunks, drained
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives for garnish
Instructions
- To the bowl of a crock pot, add frozen meatballs and pineapple chunks.
- In a medium-size bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and brown sugar.
- Using a micro-plane, grate ginger, and garlic and whisk into the sauce. Pour the sauce over meatballs then gently toss to coat. Put lid on crock pot. Set to HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 5-6.
- When done, sprinkle meatballs with chopped chives and serve.
Substitutations
- * ¼ teaspoon of dried ginger can be substituted for fresh grated.
- * Apple cider vinegar can be substituted for rice wine vinegar.
Video
Nutrition
Want To Know More About Slow Cooking?
If you are new to cooking with a Crock Pot or just don’t know where to start, I’ve got something to help. I’ve put together a helpful guide with tips and recipes to get you using a slow cooker like a pro!
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Chrissy
I’m wondering if another type of meat could be substituted, like ground pork, or chicken breasts? What would you suggest?
Tasha Flood
Can you used homemade meatballs instead of frozen
Sure.
Lois Demers
Hi, I have the same question. Did it work out? Did you have to cook for the same amount of time?
Andrea Bryson
I’m making these right now! They smell so so yummy. I’m curious as to what brand/type of frozen meatballs are used in this recipe?
Debra Stenlund
Made them absolutely delicious FOOTBALL SUNDAY FOOD!
Deborah Flores
Did these for a potluck at work, quick,easy & they were a hit. Prepped the sauce in the evening, threw it in slow cooker, Steamed the rice in the morning while I got ready for work. Plugged in the slow cooker threw in the meat, when I got in the office & the crew went wild, once they started to smell it, as it cooked. Each person served the hot meatballs & sauce over the previously steamed rice…easy peasey…now I’ll try it on the family
Love this!
~Donya
DM
How much of each ingredient? Did I miss something? Ok, had to refresh page. Originally, all ingredients were listed but not no measurements. After page refresh meas included.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all ingredients – https://www.asouthernsoul.com/crock-pot-hawaiian-meatballs/
Kimberlee Sears
If I’m making the meatballs today to be served had a party tomorrow how do I go about the reheating process? Thank you so much.
Put them in a crock pot on WARM or in a large pot on low. Heat through and serve.
~Donya
Nece
For the ginger can it be ground ginger or paste? Only asking as I tried to find dried ginger and these are the options.
I use fresh in the recipe but you can sub in ground or pasta, both will work.
~Donya
Lana
Absolutely delicious! I used frozen meatballs and crushed pineapple instead of cut and they we so good. I made about 100 of them for a banquet and they were a huge hit. I am going to make them again for our 4th of July party. Thank you for this wonderful recipe, it will be a staple in my household!
Lana, you are the best!
~Donya
Kimmiet
I made these for a get together. Everyone loved them.