Description
Succulent hawaiian meatballs simmer in a tangy pineapple sauce, creating a tropical flavor explosion. Slow-cooker magic brings comfort and zest to your dinner table, inviting you to savor each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 pounds frozen meatballs
- 20 ounces (567 grams) pineapple chunks, drained
Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) rice wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
Aromatic and Garnish Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons chives for garnish
Instructions
- Place frozen meatballs and pineapple chunks into the slow cooker, creating an initial layer of flavor and texture.
- Create a vibrant Hawaiian-inspired sauce by thoroughly blending tangy BBQ sauce, umami-rich soy sauce, sharp vinegar, and caramel-like brown sugar in a mixing bowl.
- Enhance the sauce’s complexity by grating fresh ginger and minced garlic directly into the liquid mixture, whisking until fully integrated and aromatic.
- Generously coat the meatballs and pineapple with the prepared sauce, ensuring even distribution throughout the crock pot.
- Set the slow cooker to HIGH temperature and allow the meatballs to simmer for 2-3 hours, or alternatively use LOW temperature for 5-6 hours, letting the flavors meld and intensify.
- Once cooking is complete, carefully transfer the moist, sauce-glazed meatballs to a serving dish, maintaining their delicate texture.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped chives across the top as a final garnish, adding a bright, herbal note to the rich Hawaiian-style dish.
Notes
- Swap frozen meatballs with homemade turkey or chicken meatballs for a leaner protein option that reduces overall fat content.
- Use gluten-free BBQ sauce and tamari instead of soy sauce to make the recipe completely gluten-free and suitable for sensitive diets.
- Enhance sauce depth by adding a splash of rice wine or mirin for extra complexity and authentic Hawaiian flavor profile.
- Customize heat level by incorporating a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes for those who enjoy a spicier kick to the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (on High) or 6 hours (on Low)
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg