Description
Succulent slow cooker pineapple barbecue meatballs bring tropical flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort. Juicy meat mingles with sweet and tangy sauce, creating a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for family gatherings or game day celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) frozen meatballs
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) pineapple juice
Instructions
- Create a vibrant sauce by whisking together tangy barbecue sauce, sweet pineapple juice, rich brown sugar, umami-packed soy sauce, aromatic garlic and onion powders, cracked black pepper, and optional fiery red pepper flakes in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Gently transfer frozen meatballs into the slow cooker, ensuring an even layer at the bottom of the vessel.
- Lavishly cascade the prepared sauce over the meatballs, meticulously coating each morsel with the flavor-packed liquid.
- Sprinkle drained pineapple chunks across the top, then delicately fold the ingredients to integrate the tropical fruit throughout the dish.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and set to low temperature for 4-5 hours or high temperature for 2-3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Periodically rotate the meatballs during cooking to guarantee uniform sauce coverage and prevent sticking.
- Once the meatballs are thoroughly heated and the sauce has transformed into a luxurious, slightly thickened glaze, carefully transfer the succulent morsels to a serving platter.
- Optional: Enhance the presentation by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the top for a pop of color and subtle herbaceous note.
- Serve immediately while the meatballs remain warm and the sauce glistens invitingly.
Notes
- Boost the sauce’s complexity by caramelizing onions and garlic before adding to the slow cooker for deeper, richer flavor profiles.
- Swap frozen meatballs with homemade or plant-based alternatives to customize dietary preferences and enhance nutritional value.
- Reduce sugar content by using sugar-free barbecue sauce or replacing brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener for a low-carb option.
- Elevate the dish’s texture by adding a quick broil for 2-3 minutes after slow cooking to create slightly crispy edges on the meatballs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-5 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg