Description
Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs: Juicy meatballs cooked in sweet Hawaiian sauce, an easy, satisfying crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1/2 cup (120g) breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup (40g) finely diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, eggs, diced onion, minced garlic, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and ginger. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion the mixture, then roll between your palms to form 1-inch meatballs. You should get approximately 24-30 meatballs.
- Step 2: Brown the Meatballs (Optional but Recommended) Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of oil. Working in batches to avoid crowding, brown the meatballs on all sides (about 1-2 minutes per side). You’re not cooking them through, just developing a flavorful crust. Transfer the browned meatballs to your slow cooker.
- Step 3: Prepare the Hawaiian Sauce In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and minced garlic until well combined. Pour this mixture over the meatballs in the slow cooker. Add the drained pineapple chunks and bell pepper pieces, gently stirring to ensure everything is coated.
- Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection Cover your slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) when fully cooked.
- Step 5: Thicken the Sauce During the last 30 minutes of cooking, whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Gently stir this into the slow cooker, being careful not to break the meatballs. Replace the lid and continue cooking until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Step 6: Serve Once finished, your Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs are ready to serve! Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve over rice, as an appetizer with toothpicks, or however you prefer to enjoy these tropical delights.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 376 calories per serving
- Sugar: 19 grams
- Sodium: 848 mg
- Fat: 14 grams
- Saturated Fat: 5 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 29 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 32 grams
- Cholesterol: 137 mg