These 3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs are a go-to shortcut for busy weeknights, potlucks, and game day. Made with frozen meatballs, sloppy joe sauce, and pineapple chunks, this simple slow cooker recipe delivers sweet-and-tangy Hawaiian flavor with minimal prep.
If you need an easy appetizer or a simple dinner, these Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs check all the boxes. Add the ingredients to the crock pot, heat until warmed through, and serve over white rice, on Hawaiian rolls, or with toothpicks for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Shortcut Notes
- Only 3 ingredients: Simple pantry and grocery items make this recipe easy to assemble.
- Dump-and-go: Add everything to the slow cooker and let it do the work.
- Great for gatherings: Ideal for game day, potlucks, holiday get-togethers, and busy family meals.
Why You’ll Love These Hawaiian Meatballs
These meatballs are a reliable, low-effort recipe that still tastes special. Tangy sloppy joe sauce pairs with sweet pineapple and tender meatballs for a classic sweet-and-sour bite. They work well as an easy weeknight meal or as a hot, ready-to-serve appetizer—perfect for keeping warm in a crockpot and serving with toothpicks.
Ingredients
This recipe uses just three ingredients:
- Frozen meatballs — Use fully cooked frozen meatballs. Homestyle, turkey, chicken, or Italian-style work fine.
- Sloppy joe sauce — A sweet-and-tangy sauce like Manwich pairs nicely with pineapple.
- Can of pineapple chunks — Drain the juice before adding; the chunks give the dish its signature Hawaiian flavor.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Directions
Place the frozen meatballs in the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the sloppy joe sauce over the meatballs, then add the drained pineapple chunks. Toss gently so the sauce coats the meatballs.
Cook on HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the meatballs are heated through and the flavors meld. Stir once or twice during cooking if needed.
Cooking Tip
Because this recipe uses precooked meatballs, you only need enough time to heat them through and let the sauce blend—about two hours on HIGH. Avoid cooking much longer, which can dry out the meatballs or cause the sauce to darken too much.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these pineapple meatballs over white rice for an easy dinner. For parties, keep them in the crockpot on warm and provide toothpicks for easy snacking. They also make tasty sliders on Hawaiian rolls. Garnish with sliced green onions or chopped cilantro for a fresh finish.
Substitutions
- Meatballs: Any fully cooked frozen meatball works—homestyle, Italian, turkey, or chicken. Do not use raw meatballs, as this cook time is for precooked products.
- Sauce: If you prefer, swap sloppy joe sauce for a mix of BBQ sauce and ketchup (for example, 1 cup BBQ + 1/2 cup ketchup) to achieve a similar tomato-based sweet flavor.
- Pineapple: Canned crushed pineapple can be used, but chunks hold up better for serving and presentation.
Recipe
3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs
Easy 3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs made with frozen meatballs, pineapple chunks, and sloppy joe sauce in the slow cooker. Perfect appetizer.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 9 (about 6 meatballs per serving)
Equipment
- Slow cooker
Ingredients
- 26 oz fully cooked frozen meatballs
- 15 oz sloppy joe sauce
- 8 oz pineapple chunks, drained
Instructions
- Add meatballs, sloppy joe sauce, and drained pineapple to the slow cooker. Toss so the sauce coats the meatballs.
- Cook on HIGH for 2–3 hours, until meatballs register 165ºF (74ºC) and are heated through.
Notes
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container. Reheat covered in the microwave or gently on the stove until hot.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Want more crockpot ideas? Try recipes like Crockpot Velveeta Mac and Cheese, Crockpot Jalapeño Popper Dip with Bacon, Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili, or Crockpot Broccoli Rice Casserole.
Crockpot Velveeta Mac and Cheese-
Crockpot Jalapeño Popper Dip with Bacon
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Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
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Crockpot Broccoli Rice Casserole
