Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs

I’ve included some videos I found relevant and helpful. 😍

Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs are a tasty and easy meal you can make for your family or guests. These meatballs mix sweet and savory flavors to bring a bit of the tropics to your table. You can make this dish with just 5 minutes of prep time and 5 hours of cooking time in your crockpot.

The recipe uses frozen meatballs, pineapple chunks, BBQ sauce, and garlic to create a simple yet yummy dish. You can serve it as a main course over rice or as an appetizer with toothpicks. With only 89 calories per serving, it’s a lighter option that doesn’t skimp on taste.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make these tasty Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs:

  • 32 oz frozen meatballs
  • 20 oz can pineapple chunks
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce
  • 3-4 cloves garlic
  • Green onions or chives

Don’t forget to drain the pineapple chunks, but save 1/4 cup of the juice for the sauce!

For the sauce, you’ll mix:

  • 2 cups BBQ sauce
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 3-4 minced garlic cloves

This recipe makes 8 servings. Each serving has about 89 calories.

You can cook these meatballs on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. Stir them once or twice while cooking.

Serve your meatballs warm. They’re great as an appetizer or as a main dish over rice. Enjoy your tropical treat!

Instructions

Mix the BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, and minced garlic in a bowl. Stir well to combine all the flavors.

Put the frozen meatballs in your Crockpot. Pour the sauce mix over them. Make sure all meatballs are coated. Add pineapple chunks on top.

Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. Stir once or twice during cooking. This helps the sauce coat the meatballs evenly.

When done, sprinkle chopped green onions or chives on top. Your Hawaiian meatballs are ready to serve!

Serve them warm as a tasty appetizer. Use toothpicks for easy eating. Or make it a meal by serving over rice.

Tips:

  • Don’t overcook the meatballs. They might get dry.
  • Taste the sauce before adding. Adjust sweetness if needed.
  • Try adding bell peppers for extra color and crunch.

Enjoy your tropical-inspired dish! It’s perfect for parties or a fun family dinner.

Possible Substitutes List

You can easily swap out some ingredients in this recipe. Here are a few ideas:

Meatballs:

  • Turkey or chicken meatballs
  • Vegetarian meatballs
  • Homemade meatballs (beef, pork, or a mix)

BBQ Sauce:

  • Sweet and sour sauce
  • Teriyaki sauce
  • Hoisin sauce

Pineapple:

  • Mango chunks
  • Peach slices
  • Mandarin oranges

You can also try these changes:

  • Use fresh pineapple instead of canned
  • Swap minced garlic for garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon)
  • Try red onions or scallions for garnish

For extra flavor, add:

  • 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

These swaps let you make the recipe your own. Feel free to mix and match based on what you have in your kitchen!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

You can tweak this recipe to make it more diabetes-friendly. Start by using lean turkey or chicken meatballs instead of beef. This swap cuts down on fat and calories.

For the sauce, try a sugar-free BBQ sauce. You can find these at most grocery stores. Mix it with unsweetened pineapple juice to keep the sugar content low.

Use fresh pineapple chunks instead of canned. Fresh fruit has less sugar and more fiber. This helps slow down sugar absorption in your body.

Try these swaps to lower the carbs:

  • Serve over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice
  • Use zucchini noodles as a base
  • Offer lettuce wraps for a fun, low-carb option

Watch your portion sizes too. Stick to 3-4 meatballs per serving. Fill the rest of your plate with non-starchy veggies like broccoli or green beans.

Don’t forget to check your blood sugar before and after eating. This helps you see how your body responds to the meal.

With these changes, you can enjoy a tasty Hawaiian-inspired dish while keeping your blood sugar in check.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Don’t overcook your meatballs. They can get tough if left in the crockpot too long. Stick to the recommended cooking times for best results.

For extra flavor, try adding a tablespoon of soy sauce or a teaspoon of ginger to the sauce mixture. This gives the dish more depth and a hint of Asian flair.

You can use homemade meatballs instead of frozen ones. Just make sure they’re fully cooked before adding them to the crockpot.

To make serving easier, keep the crockpot on the “warm” setting during parties. This keeps the meatballs at the perfect temperature for guests to enjoy.

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the microwave or on the stove, stirring often to warm them evenly.

For a fun twist, serve your Hawaiian meatballs in slider buns. Top with a slice of pineapple and some chopped green onions for a tasty mini sandwich.

If you prefer a spicier dish, add a dash of red pepper flakes or a tablespoon of sriracha to the sauce. This balances nicely with the sweet pineapple flavor.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *