Hi👋 I’m MARILYN, a 34-year-old from the United Kingdom. Cooking is my passion, and I love sharing delicious, easy-to-follow recipes. Join me on marilynrecipes.com to explore a world of culinary delights, from comforting classics to innovative creations. Let’s make cooking fun and enjoyable for everyone! Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.
Today, I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite slow cooker recipes: Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs with Brown Sugar Sauce. I remember the first time I made this recipe. It was a rainy Saturday afternoon, and the smell of sweet brown sugar mixed with tangy pineapple juice instantly warmed my kitchen. My family gathered around the crockpot, eagerly waiting for that first taste, and the smiles on their faces told me everything I needed to know this dish was a winner.
Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight, a family gathering, or a casual get-together, these meatballs are a showstopper. They are sweet, savory, and incredibly comforting. Plus, the best part is that it’s a dump-and-go recipe just add everything to the crockpot, turn it on, and let the magic happen.
I’ve made Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs with Brown Sugar Sauce countless times, and each time, it brings back those cozy memories of laughter, stories, and shared meals. You can serve them as an appetizer or a main course over rice, and I promise everyone will ask for seconds.
Why I Love Making This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s effortless yet feels special. There’s something magical about slow cooking meatballs in a sauce that’s rich, sweet, and slightly tangy. The brown sugar caramelizes with the pineapple juice and soy sauce, coating each meatball in a glossy, flavorful sauce that melts in your mouth.
I also love that this recipe is so flexible. Sometimes I add bell peppers or onions for extra texture and flavor. Other times, I serve it over mashed potatoes or sticky rice. No matter how I serve it, it always brings everyone together. Cooking for me is about creating moments around the table, and this recipe does just that.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs with Brown Sugar Sauce:
- 1.5 kg frozen beef meatballs
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup pineapple juice (fresh or canned works beautifully)
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- Optional: sliced green onions for serving
Little Kitchen Secrets:
- Using frozen meatballs is a time-saver and they cook perfectly in the slow cooker.
- I always mix the cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the crockpot this prevents lumps and gives the sauce a beautiful, glossy finish.
- For an extra touch, a sprinkle of sesame seeds or some diced bell peppers can make the dish even more vibrant.
How I Make It, Step by Step
- I add the frozen meatballs directly to my crockpot. There’s no need to thaw them first slow cooking does all the work.
- In a separate bowl, I whisk together the brown sugar, pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic powder, and ground ginger until smooth. This combination is the heart of the sauce sweet, tangy, and packed with flavor.
- I pour the sauce evenly over the meatballs and gently stir to coat them completely.
- I cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours. The slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully and keeps the meatballs tender.
- About 30 minutes before serving, I mix the cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the crockpot. This thickens the sauce and gives it that perfect glossy texture.
- I let everything cook until the sauce becomes rich and syrupy, then serve immediately.
How I Serve It at Home
I love serving these Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs with Brown Sugar Sauce over steamed white rice. The sauce soaks into the rice, creating a comforting, flavorful bite every time. For gatherings, I serve them on a platter with toothpicks they disappear almost instantly!
Sometimes, I’ll add a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad to balance the richness of the meatballs. A sprinkle of sliced green onions or sesame seeds on top gives it a beautiful presentation. It’s simple, but it always feels festive.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
One of the best things about this recipe is that it stores beautifully:
- Storage: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: I reheat on the stove over low heat or in the microwave until warm. The sauce stays thick and glossy.
- Make-Ahead: You can prep the sauce ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. When ready, just pour it over the meatballs in the crockpot and cook.
100-Word Short Version
These Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs with Brown Sugar Sauce are sweet, savory, and effortlessly comforting. I use frozen meatballs cooked in a simple sauce of brown sugar, pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, and ginger. Everything goes into the crockpot for a dump-and-go meal that’s ready in hours. I thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry before serving, giving it a glossy, rich finish. Perfect over rice or served as an appetizer, this recipe brings my family together every time. It’s easy, flavorful, and the kind of meal that creates warm memories around the table.
Recipe Card Section
⏱️ Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg frozen beef meatballs
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- Optional: sliced green onions
👩🍳 Instructions
- Add frozen meatballs to the crockpot.
- Whisk together brown sugar, pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic powder, and ginger.
- Pour sauce over meatballs and stir to coat.
- Cover and cook on LOW 4–5 hours or HIGH 2–3 hours.
- Mix cornstarch with cold water and stir in 30 minutes before serving to thicken.
- Cook until sauce is glossy and rich, then serve warm.
📝 Notes
Serve over rice or as an appetizer with toothpicks. Sub low-sodium soy sauce if preferred. Leftovers last 4 days in the fridge.
🍽️ Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 420 kcal
Sugar: 28 g
Sodium: 980 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 18 g
Cholesterol: 65 mg
Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs with Brown Sugar Sauce
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: B
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Hawaiian-Inspired
Description
These Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs with Brown Sugar Sauce are sweet, savory, and irresistibly comforting. I make this recipe when I want something easy that fills my kitchen with warmth and brings everyone together around the table. Tender meatballs slowly cook in a glossy sauce made with brown sugar, pineapple juice, and soy sauce, creating that classic Hawaiian-inspired flavor we all love. This is a true dump-and-go slow cooker recipe that’s perfect for busy days, family dinners, or parties.
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg frozen beef meatballs
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- Optional: sliced green onions for serving
Instructions
- Add frozen meatballs to the crockpot.
- Whisk together brown sugar, pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic powder, and ginger.
- Pour sauce over meatballs and stir to coat.
- Cover and cook on LOW 4–5 hours or HIGH 2–3 hours.
- Mix cornstarch with cold water and stir in 30 minutes before serving to thicken.
- Cook until sauce is glossy and rich, then serve warm.
Notes
Serve over rice or as an appetizer with toothpicks. Sub low-sodium soy sauce if preferred. Leftovers last 4 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Conclusion
Making these Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs with Brown Sugar Sauce always reminds me why I love cooking. It’s simple, comforting, and full of flavor the perfect dish to share with loved ones. The sweet, savory sauce paired with tender meatballs creates a meal that everyone enjoys, from kids to adults. Cooking is about connection, and this recipe truly brings people together, filling your kitchen with warmth, laughter, and memories. I hope it becomes a staple in your home just like it is in mine.