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crockpot hawaiian meatballs

Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs

These Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs are a simple, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing dish that bring a taste of the tropics to your table.
They are perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or anytime you crave a little island flavor.
Give this recipe a try, and you might just find it becoming a regular in your meal rotation!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine Asian, Hawaiian
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 346 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds frozen meatballs beef, pork, or turkey
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 can 20 ounces pineapple chunks, drained
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger optional
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
  • 2 green onions sliced (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Sauce:
    In a medium bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, and rice vinegar until well combined.
  • 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 the meatballs and vegetables, stirring gently to combine.
  • 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 are tender.
  • Thicken the Sauce:
    In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry.
    About 30 minutes before serving, stir the cornstarch slurry into the crockpot to thicken the sauce.
  • Add Pineapple:
    Add the drained pineapple chunks to the crockpot and gently stir to combine. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes to heat the pineapple through.
  • Serve:
    Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
    Serve the Hawaiian meatballs over rice, noodles, or as an appetizer with toothpicks.

Notes

Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • Overcooking: This can make the meatballs dry and tough. Keep an eye on the cooking time.
  • Skipping the Sauce Stirring: Ensuring the sauce is well-mixed helps all the meatballs get evenly coated.
  • Using Low-Quality Ingredients: Fresh and high-quality ingredients make a significant difference in flavor.
Keyword Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs