Delicious Crockpot Teriyaki Pineapple Meatballs Recipe Easy and Juicy
A simple and flavorful slow cooker recipe combining sweet pineapple chunks with savory meatballs in a sticky teriyaki sauce, perfect for easy weeknight dinners or parties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (900 grams) frozen meatballs (beef or turkey, pre-cooked)
- 1 can (20 ounces / 567 grams) pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 cup (240 ml) teriyaki sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated or ground (optional but recommended)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger to prepare the sauce.
- Place frozen meatballs evenly in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Scatter the drained pineapple chunks over the meatballs.
- Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce mixture over the meatballs and pineapple, coating everything evenly. Avoid stirring too much to keep pineapple chunks intact.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours if short on time.
- About 30 minutes before serving, gently stir the meatballs. If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into the crockpot. Cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the top before serving.
Notes
If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free teriyaki and soy sauces and gluten-free meatballs. Avoid stirring too often to keep pineapple chunks intact and sauce thick. You can brown meatballs in a skillet before slow cooking for extra texture. To thicken sauce, use a cornstarch slurry and cook uncovered for 20-30 minutes. Fresh pineapple can be used but drain excess juice to avoid watery sauce. Add red pepper flakes or Sriracha for heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 335
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 13.5
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 27.5
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 19
Keywords: crockpot meatballs, teriyaki meatballs, pineapple meatballs, slow cooker recipe, easy dinner, party appetizer, sweet and savory, juicy meatballs