These Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Hawaiian Meatballs only take 3 ingredients and a little time in the slow cooker / crockpot! Perfect for dinner or as an party appetizer!

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Normally when it comes to parties and meatballs, my go to recipe has always been my mom’s “BBQ and Grape Jelly Crockpot Meatballs“. However, I’m crazy about pineapple so this recipe for Crockpot BBQ Hawaiian Meatballs is coming as a close second when it comes to favorites.

Ingredients For Slow Cooker BBQ Hawaiian Meatballs:

frozen meatballs (or fresh that have been frozen)
BBQ Sauce
pineapple chunks, drained

Ingredient amounts and entire recipe directions in recipe card below with print option!

Pineapple Chunks and Sugar Free BBQ Sauce for Slow Cooker BBQ Hawaiian Meatballs

Which Brands Did I Use For This Recipe?

Sometimes when it comes to Semihomemade recipe that use packaged foods to create meals, the brands of items can make or break a dish. I don’t think this ALWAYS happens but I do know that not all packaged items are created equally.

Meatballs – for this recipe I used my Baked Turkey Meatball recipe that I frozen but you can use any frozen meatballs from the grocery store. I love turkey meatballs but beef meatballs, pork meatballs, chicken meatballs or even vegan “meatballs” will work great for this recipe.

BBQ Sauce – I used the G Hughes Sugar Free BBQ Sauce for this recipe but your favorite BBQ sauce would work well too. I’ve also made these with Sweet Baby Ray’s Hawaiian Barbecue Sauce and the Sweet Baby Ray’s Original Barbecue Sauce.

Pineapple Chunks – I like to use the Dole Brand Pineapple Chunks. Make sure to drain the pineapple juice. You can save this for another recipe or toss it.

Do The Meatballs Need To Be Frozen For This BBQ Pineapple Meatballs Recipe?

I personally think that they should be frozen for this recipe. I’ve made it both ways, with frozen meatballs and with cooked/thawed meatballs. Well the taste was great for both but when I didn’t use frozen meatballs, the meatballs tended to fall part a little too much for my preference.

How To Make Slow Cooker BBQ Hawaiian Meatballs:

Add meatballs and drained pineapple to the bowl of a crock pot.
Pour in the BBQ sauce.
Stir to combine.
Cover and cook.
Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
I did add some dried parsley at the end for some color but that’s optional.

Are We Use Raw or Cooked Meatballs For This Recipe?

We’re using cooked meatballs! However, I like to use them frozen! These cook up so nicely because the meatballs are already cooked and we’re just using the BBQ sauce and pineapples to add flavor to the meatballs while we heat them up.

How To Serve Slow Cooker BBQ Hawaiian Meatballs:

You can serve these crockpot meatballs as an appetizer with toothpicks for a party or you can serve as a main dish and serve the meatballs over white rice or jasmine rice for a great lunch or dinner.

How To Store Leftover Meatballs:

Store leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Pineapple Chunk and Meatball on a toothpick

Can I Turn These Pineapple BBQ Meatballs Into A Freezer Meal?

You sure can! Take a large gallon (or 2 gallon) sized freezer ziplock bag and dump in the frozen meatballs, bbq sauce and pineapple chunks. Squeeze out the air, close the bag and pop it into the freezer for up to 3 months!

When you’re ready to cook them. just open the bag and pour the entire meal into the bowl of a crockpot and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 5-6 hours.

More Slow Cooker Recipes:

More Pineapple Recipes: