Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Meatballs are smothered with the most amazing sweet and tangy sauce! Frozen meatballs are slowly cooked to perfection in that sauce with pineapple chunks and bell peppers. It’s a an easy dinner or appetizer for any occasion!
Enjoy more of the very best meatball recipes like Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Swedish Meatballs and Turkey Meatballs.
Table of Contents
- Why we love these Pineapple Brown Sugar Slow Cooker Meatballs:
- Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Meatballs Ingredients Needed:
- How to make Pineapple Brown Sugar Meatballs in the crockpot:
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to store leftover Meatballs
- Can I freeze Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Meatballs?
- Serving suggestions:
- More Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love!
- Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Meatballs Recipe
Can we all just agree that Crockpot meatballs are the best appetizer… possibly ever?
They’re so easy to make! Just grab a bag of frozen meatballs and toss them into the slow cooker with your other ingredients. Set it, forget it, then serve with toothpicks and watch them disappear.
We also love serving this slow cooker meatball recipe over Baked Rice for an easy dinner that rarely has any leftovers.
The flavor profile here is worth drooling over. Sweet and tangy ingredients like ketchup, brown sugar, pineapple chunks and more come together to create the very best combination of flavors and textures.
The sauce coats each meatball, pineapple chunk and bell pepper perfectly. I seriously can’t get enough of this easy, summery Crockpot meatball recipe!
Why we love these Pineapple Brown Sugar Slow Cooker Meatballs:
- Game Day Favorite: Whether it’s the beginning of the season or well into playoffs, these pineapple meatballs always satisfy a game day crowd.
- So Easy: They are perfect for entertaining because you can set it and forget it — put your feet up or get to work on your other meal components.
- Budget Friendly: If you take a quick look at the ingredients listed, you’ll notice that there’s nothing here that will break the bank.
- Bright Flavors: Golden chunks of pineapple give this Crockpot recipe the very best summery burst of sweet flavor.
Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Meatballs Ingredients Needed:
- Pineapple Juice: I love the pineapple flavor here! However, you can substitute for apple or orange juice if preferred.
- Brown Sugar: You can use any sweetener. You can also reduce the amount as well to best suit your tastes.
- Ketchup: Ketchup adds rich tomato flavor, sweetness and tang. While you can swap it for crushed tomatoes, you’ll want to still add sweetness, acidity and seasonings to compensate.
- Meatballs: Homemade Easy Meatball Recipe or these Turkey Meatballs both work well in this recipe, but you can also use frozen, store bought meatballs in a pinch. If you choose to make them from scratch, be sure to still freeze or chill them first so they don’t fall apart when cooking.
- Bell Peppers: You can use any color bell peppers you like best.
- Cornstarch: thickens the sauce
- Pineapple Chunks: If you have any left over, use them to make my favorite Pineapple Smoothie.
- Chicken Stock: I like using low-sodium broth in my cooking. That way, I can add more salt if needed and better control the amount of sodium in the dish.
- Worcestershire: Adds a great savory umami flavor.
- Garlic: Measure with your heart! Just try to be careful not to overpower the other ingredients.
- Seasonings: Onion powder, salt and red pepper flakes create the very best flavor. Adjust each seasoning as desired.
How to make Pineapple Brown Sugar Meatballs in the crockpot:
Take a quick look at how easy this Crockpot pineapple meatballs recipe is! For more detailed ingredient measurements and instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Whisk together pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, corn starch, garlic, onion powder, salt and red pepper flakes.
- Place meatballs, peppers and pineapple chunks in a slow cooker.
- Pour sauce mixture over top and stir until combined.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until thickened.
Variations and Substitutions
- Vegetables: Feel free to clean out your produce drawer with this one! Add whatever veggies sound good to you (add firmer ones at the beginning, and stir softer ones in at the end).
- Meatballs: Use homemade or store-bought meatballs. Just keep in mind that whichever route you take, the meatballs should be frozen (or at least thoroughly chilled!) so they hold up while cooking.
- Spice: This recipe is on the sweeter side. Spice things up by tossing in some more crushed red pepper flakes!
How to store leftover Meatballs
Let the meatballs first fully cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for about 3-4 days. You can reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of liquid to thin the sauce if necessary.
Can I freeze Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Meatballs?
Yes! Let them totally cool to room temperature, then transfer the pineapple glazed meatballs to an airtight freezer-safe container. Label, date and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the fridge overnight prior to reheating.
Serving suggestions:
I love serving these sauce slow cooker meatballs with toothpicks as a party appetizer! You can also toss them on top of some white or brown rice for dinner. Instant Pot Jasmine Rice is my favorite to pair these saucy meatballs with!
We love adding some Honey Glazed Carrots or Easy Broccoli Salad to the plate for a pop of color.
More Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love!
- Crockpot Pulled Pork — an easy make-ahead meal.
- Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef — skip the takeout!
- Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken — another sweet and saucy recipe.
- Crockpot Little Smokies — pair with these crockpot meatballs for game day!
Slow Cooker Pineapple Brown Sugar Meatballs
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
Pineapple Brown Sugar Sauce:
- 1½ cup pineapple juice
- 1 ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 ½ cups ketchup
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛-¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more if you like it spicy!)
Meatballs:
- 2 lbs precooked or browned beef meatballs* (fresh or frozen)
- 2 medium bell peppers (cut into 1/2" pieces)
- 1½ cups pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
- Sliced green onion or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Whisk together pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, corn starch, garlic, onion powder, salt and red pepper flakes.
- Place meatballs, peppers and pineapple chunks in a 4 quart or larger slow cooker.
- Pour sauce mixture over top and stir until combined.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until thickened. Taste and serve.
Notes
- Pineapple juice: I love the pineapple flavor in here with the pineapple chunks, but you can substitute for apple or orange juice for a different flavor.
- Brown Sugar: any sweetener will work here and you can reduce it to suit your tastes if you like your sauce less sweet.
- Ketchup: ketchup adds rich tomato flavor, sweetness and tang. You can swap it for crushed tomatoes, but you will want to add sweetness, acidity and seasonings to compensate.
- Meatballs: my homemade Easy Meatball Recipe or these Turkey Meatballs work great in this recipe, but you can also use frozen, store bought meatballs in a pinch. I like to add my meatballs to this recipe frozen (homemade or store bought) so that they don’t fall apart while slow cooking.
- Vegetables: feel free to mix up the veggies and clean out your fridge! Onions, snap peas and carrots are great in here.
Nutrition Information
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Mike says
Have made this twice, once a few months back, and second time they are slow cooking today. It was a huge success as all loved them! Today I’m going to try pairing it though with flat rice noodles or Ramen noodles, instead of the typical rice, just for a change of pace. The home made meat ball recipe of yours works out great too!
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Mike! Enjoy!
Margaret P says
I see in the picture and body of things needed, chicken stock but in the instructions, no mention of stock or how much. Do you use chicken stock or no?
Ashley Fehr says
I apologize! It is labelled incorrectly. That is the pineapple juice.
Bruce says
Great combination of flavors.
The Recipe Rebel says
Thank you Bruce!
Paul Jones says
Is there a way to make it without ketchup? I want to make these, but struggle with the heavier flavour that ketchup usually lends to sauces
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Paul, I’ve only tested the recipe as is, but the ketchup is an important ingredient for the base of the sauce. You might be able to reduce it the amount. Hope this helps!
Angelica Navarro says
I made these for my daughters bday last year and want to make them again this year! But I’m pressed for time. How could I do this in a pressure cooker?
Ashley Fehr says
I haven’t cooked many meatballs in the Instant Pot so I can’t say for sure how it would work! I would just simmer them on the stove top if pressed for time
Karen Widmer says
Do I drain the pineapple?
Ashley Fehr says
It depends if you like your sauce thicker or thinner, but yes I would drain it!
Sharon says
Do the frozen meatballs need to be thawed before putting them in the slow cooker? I can’t wait to try these!
Ashley Fehr says
No, you can put them in frozen!
Steve says
So I cook the meatballs however I normally would….freeze the….and then for this recipe put in slow cooker and do the additional hours? Just confirming that you aren’t making the meatballs in the slow cooker.
Ashley Fehr says
I don’t cook them in the slow cooker, no. You could just bake them for 10-15 minutes until browned and then proceed with the sauce though if you prefer
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
Man oh man, these meatballs! Heavenly! I have been on a total meatball quick lately so these are SO up my alley! Also slow cooker liners? Say What? #genius
Debbie S. says
Sounds delicious, I am looking for some interesting recipes for this winter season. I will give this a try. Thanks so very much!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
These meatballs look totally amazing! These would get devoured as an appetizer around here 🙂 and those liners are the BEST! Makes cleanup so beyond convenient. Love it!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Rachel! They are one of my favorite kitchen things for sure!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
We love those liners! Makes clean up so much easier! The flavor combination of these meatballs sounds so good!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jessica! I totally agree!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Ugh, cleaning my slow cooker is the WORST! I’ve got to get my hands on these liners. Way easier. And these meatballs look delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Yes!! Thanks Natalie 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I LOVE Reynold’s liners as well, totally makes clean up a breeze! But what I really LOVE LOVE LOVE are these meatballs! That pineapple brown sugar sauce sounds amazing! I could eat ALL of these… right from the slow cooker! Cheers, doll! 😉
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
I think I have like 4 meatball recipes on my blog, so clearly I’m meatball obsessed and obviously I’m obsessed with these! And love those slow cooker liners, I will have to get my hands on some!
Ashley Fehr says
Haha! That is so not a bad thing! Clearly I need more 🙂
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
YES!!!! I love those liners and I’m loving this meatballs too!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Julie! Aren’t they amazing?! Who likes to clean anything?!? Lol
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! I have had an eye out for new crock pot recipes since I recently purchased a new crock pot! I love your pineapple bbq sauce – I always have pineapple and juice in the pantry. I’ve not tried the liners, but I just added them to my grocery list! Can’t wait to make this! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Oh Dorothy I’m sure you’ll love them! I always hate scrubbing my slow cooker, but I refuse to live without it. Lol. They’re so handy! And thank you! We love pineapple everything 🙂
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Those slow cooker liners are the best! I hate scrubbing my crock pot. These meatballs look fabulous! Love that you used pineapple. 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Christin! Pineapple is one of my favorite additions to… pretty much everything. Lol
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I’m obsessed with those liners too! I just started using them a few months ago and I’m hooked. I love that there is virtually no clean up! And these meatballs are just calling my name. The combination of pineapple and brown sugar sounds like the best combo, Ashley!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Gayle! I think they are seriously the best invention ever.