Description
Succulent slow cooker pineapple barbecue meatballs bring Hawaiian-inspired comfort to dinner tables across America. Juicy ground beef mingles with sweet tangy sauce, creating an irresistible meal that delights taste buds and brings family together effortlessly.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 g) frozen meatballs
- 1 cup (240 ml) barbecue sauce
- 1 can (20 ounces / 567 g) pineapple chunks, drained
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce
Spices:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Place frozen meatballs in the slow cooker, creating an even base layer for consistent cooking.
- Pour barbecue sauce over meatballs, ensuring complete coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Add pineapple chunks throughout the mixture, distributing them evenly for balanced taste and texture.
- Sprinkle brown sugar, creating a caramelized undertone that enhances the overall sweetness of the dish.
- Introduce soy sauce, garlic powder, and ground ginger to build a complex, layered flavor profile.
- Gently mix all ingredients, coating each meatball thoroughly to guarantee uniform seasoning.
- Set slow cooker to low temperature for 4-6 hours or high temperature for 2-3 hours, allowing ingredients to meld together.
- Stir contents occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking and promote even heat distribution.
- Check meatballs are heated through and sauce has thickened to a rich, glossy consistency.
- Transfer meatballs and sauce to a serving dish, pairing with steamed rice or presenting as a tantalizing appetizer.
- Garnish with optional chopped green onions or sesame seeds for added visual appeal and subtle crunch.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by browning frozen meatballs in a skillet before adding to slow cooker for deeper caramelization and richer taste profile.
- Customize sauce sweetness by adjusting brown sugar quantity based on preferred barbecue sauce brand’s existing sugar content.
- Create gluten-free version by using tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and selecting certified gluten-free barbecue sauce.
- Reduce sodium by choosing low-sodium soy sauce and barbecue sauce variants without compromising overall delicious flavor balance.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 258 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg