Slow Cooker Tangy Hawaiian Meatballs
These tangy Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs are made in the slow cooker for ease and convenience. Enjoy alone as a perfect appetizer, or served on a bed of rice for a delicious meal on busy weeknights.

If you need another appetizer recipe, try these Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms!
It’s always good to have some easy appetizer recipes on hand, especially this time of year. There’s plenty of entertaining coming up!
It’s even better when an appetizer recipe such as this one, can also easily be the star in a main dish by the addition of rice.
This Slow Cooker Tangy Hawaiian Meatballs recipe was first made about 8 years ago, and since I’ve made this many times over. We’ve even fallen in love with these Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Chops because we loved the taste so much.
Our whole family loves the tangy sauce and I especially love that this is an easy recipe.
I recently updated the photos and added an easy step-by-step video for you! Watch how to make slow cooker hawaiian meatballs recipe below.
Ingredients Required
This meatball appetizer recipe could not be simpler. Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need. The full recipe is below in the printable recipe card found at the bottom of the post.
- precooked frozen meatballs
- can of pineapple chunks
- brown sugar
- cornstarch
- cayenne pepper
- white vinegar
- soy sauce

How to make Slow Cooker Meatballs
In a medium bowl, mix reserved pineapple juice from the can, brown sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, cayenne pepper and soy sauce. Mix and set aside.
Place meatballs into the crock pot and top with pineapple chunks and pour sauce on top.
Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until heated through. For a thicker sauce, take off slow cooker lid and cook for another 30 minutes on high.
What to Serve with Hawaiian Meatballs
Serve this hawaiian meatball recipe warm, alone or over white rice (or cauliflower rice for a low carb option).
Sometimes I sprinkle sesame seeds on top or chopped green onions as garnish.
Sometimes when I’m deciding on what to serve with pineapple meatballs, I think of complimentary flavors like: spicy coleslaw, buttered noodles, or roasted green beans.
Storage
Store pineapple meatballs leftovers in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Can you use your own meatballs for this recipe?
You can make your own homemade meatballs for this recipe or use pre-cooked meatballs from the grocery store, like I have many times.
You can use any type of meatballs from beef to turkey meatballs.
The nice thing about using pre-made is that they are also cooked, so once heated, you can enjoy.
Making tender slow cooker hawaiian meatballs is not an all-day process, even though it’s a crockpot recipe.
Recipe Tips
You’ll love that hawaiian flavor. Next you’ll want to try our Baked Hawaiian Chicken.
If you love to try different meatball recipes, you simply have to make our Buffalo Chicken Meatballs. Serve these as both an appetizer or main as well!
yet if you want to make dry Baked Chicken Meatballs and serve with other dipping sauces, try our recipe. It’s simply the best tasting chicken meatball recipe ever!
Another great snack idea is good old appetizer dip recipes, and I have plenty of those too. This one is a great appetizer that we have served for guests many times in the past years.
I’ve found most are a fan of meatballs, so it’s an ultimate appetizer recipe to please the masses.
I’m here to keep you stocked on all the greatest so that your entertaining is a hit.
More Appetizer Recipes
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites
- Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs
- Hot Cheesy Crab Dip
- Best French Onion Meatballs

Enjoy this Slow Cooker Tangy Hawaiian Meatballs recipe as well as my other slow cooker recipes! If you need another crown pleasing appetizer, try our Jalapeno Poppers.
Enjoy this delicious recipe like we have for many years, whether it’s a main course for an easy weeknight dinner or a perfect appetizer.
For a similar recipe try our Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham!
If you’ve tried this Easy Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs or any other recipe on my blog please let me know how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Finally, consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you’re here. Thanks!

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 lb precooked frozen meatballs
- 1 can Pineapple Chunks (reserve the juice)
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 3 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 2/3 cup White Vinegar
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix reserved pineapple juice from the can, brown sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, cayenne pepper and soy sauce.
- Place meatballs in crock pot and top with drained pineapple chunks.
- Pour mixture over meatballs and pineapple.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until heated through. For a thicker sauce, take off slow cooker lid and cook for another 30 minutes on high.Â
- Serve warm
I have made these many times, requested at every party we host. DELICIOUS! I have never tried but would it be ok to prep the sauce the night before cooking?
Absolutely! 🙂
This sounds like an easy and delicious supper dish. Thank you so much for this recipe.
I made these for a surprise 60th birthday Luau party and they were awesome
I’ve made this added with the meatballs the cocktail wieners to ! Great for appetizer!!
What size can of pineapple chunks?
I use the larger one, but the smaller will do as well.
This looks delicious, but what size can pineapple chunks do you use?
You can use either actually, but I mostly buy the larger can.
These meatballs will be a big hit in our home! Thanks for the delicious ,yet easy to make recipe.
This Slow Cooker Tangy Hawaiian Meatballs sounds so easy and delicious that it will probably become a staple at our home. Thank you so much for the reciipe.s
I love the sound of these meatballs.I am pretty sure we will love them when I make them with the pineapple in them,They just sound delicious and perfect for a bed of rice.Thank you.
I have been looking for a sweet and sour meatball recipe for the slow cooker and I think this one is perfect.I love that there is pineapple in it too.
Sounds delicious. This will be a nice change and I love using my slow cooker. Thanks for sharing!
Using frozen meatballs is a huge time-saver, making this recipe one of the easiest meals to prepare. I’m a huge fan of tangy sweet/sour recipes like this. Slow cookers are a mom’s life preserver!