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.
I still remember the first time I made Crockpot Hawaiian Turkey Meatballs. It was a rainy Saturday afternoon, and my family was craving something warm, comforting, and a little tropical. The aroma of sweet pineapple, savory soy, and tender turkey filling the house made everyone instantly cheerful. From the first bite, my kids and I couldn’t stop smiling. Over time, this recipe became a family favorite, and now, it’s my go-to for busy weekdays or cozy weekend dinners.
These Hawaiian turkey meatballs are juicy, tender, and slow-cooked in a luscious pineapple sauce that balances sweetness and a touch of tang. The best part? The crockpot does all the work. You can prep in 15 minutes, walk away, and come back to a hearty, mouthwatering meal. I’ve made this recipe countless times, and it never fails to bring everyone together around the table.
Why I Love Making This Recipe
I love making Crockpot Hawaiian Turkey Meatballs for so many reasons. First, it’s effortless but tastes like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen. I adore how the turkey absorbs the pineapple-soy sauce, creating juicy meatballs that practically melt in your mouth.
Second, it’s versatile. You can serve it over rice, pasta, or even as party appetizers with toothpicks. It’s sweet, savory, and comforting all in one bite. I’ve shared this recipe at family gatherings, and every single time, friends ask for the recipe. Cooking, for me, is about making memories, and this dish always sparks smiles and laughter at the dinner table.
Lastly, it’s healthier than traditional meatballs with beef or pork but still rich in flavor. I can enjoy it without feeling guilty, knowing my family is eating protein-packed, wholesome food.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
Here’s what I use every time I make these Hawaiian turkey meatballs:
- 1 ½ lb ground turkey
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
Little kitchen secrets:
- I always use fresh garlic instead of powder for richer flavor.
- Breadcrumbs help the turkey hold together but don’t overmix overmixing makes the meatballs tough.
- I stir the cornstarch into the sauce mixture to ensure it thickens perfectly while cooking.
How I Make It, Step by Step
- In a large bowl, I combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, garlic, salt, pepper, and onion powder. I gently mix until everything just comes together no overmixing!
- I shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs and place them carefully in the crockpot. This ensures they cook evenly.
- In a separate bowl, I whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, and cornstarch. This becomes the sweet-savory sauce that makes every bite irresistible.
- I pour the sauce over the meatballs, coating each one completely. Then I add the pineapple chunks on top.
- I cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, or HIGH for 2–3 hours. The aroma fills the kitchen and instantly makes me hungry!
- Before serving, I gently stir the meatballs so the sauce thickens and glazes them perfectly.
How I Serve It at Home
At home, I love serving these Crockpot Hawaiian Turkey Meatballs over fluffy white rice. The sauce soaks into the rice, creating a comforting, flavor-packed plate. Sometimes, I add steamed broccoli or roasted bell peppers to balance the sweetness.
For gatherings, I serve the meatballs on a platter with toothpicks and extra sauce on the side. They’re perfect for parties or potlucks everyone always goes back for seconds.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
- Storage: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze cooked meatballs (without sauce) for up to 2 months. Reheat in the sauce before serving.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. The sauce thickens beautifully as it reheats.
- Make-Ahead: You can prep the meatballs the night before and store them in the fridge. In the morning, just add the sauce and cook in the crockpot.
100-Word Short Version
Crockpot Hawaiian Turkey Meatballs are juicy, tender, and slow-cooked in a sweet pineapple-soy sauce that’s pure comfort. I mix ground turkey with breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, and spices, then roll them into meatballs and place them in the crockpot. A sweet-savory sauce of pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, and rice vinegar coats every meatball while cooking on LOW for 4–5 hours. I add pineapple chunks for extra flavor. Serve over rice or as party bites. They store well in the fridge and reheat beautifully. Quick, easy, and always a family favorite!
Recipe Card Section
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 4 hours
- Total: 4 hours 15 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb ground turkey
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
👩🍳 Instructions
- Mix ground turkey, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, garlic, salt, pepper, and onion powder until just combined.
- Shape mixture into meatballs and place in the crockpot.
- Whisk pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, and cornstarch. Pour over meatballs.
- Add pineapple chunks. Cover and cook LOW 4–5 hours or HIGH 2–3 hours.
- Stir gently before serving to coat meatballs in thickened sauce.
📝 Notes
- Swap turkey for chicken if preferred.
- Serve over rice or as appetizers.
- Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days.
🍽️ Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Crockpot Hawaiian Turkey Meatballs
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
These Crockpot Hawaiian Turkey Meatballs are tender, juicy, and slow-cooked in a sweet and savory pineapple sauce. Perfect for busy days, they are effortless, flavorful, and family-friendly. The slow cooker does all the work while the meatballs soak up every bit of that glossy Hawaiian-style sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb ground turkey
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
Instructions
- Mix ground turkey, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, garlic, salt, pepper, and onion powder until just combined.
- Shape into meatballs and place in crockpot.
- Whisk pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, and cornstarch. Pour over meatballs.
- Add pineapple chunks. Cover and cook LOW 4–5 hours or HIGH 2–3 hours.
- Stir gently before serving to coat meatballs in thickened sauce.
Notes
Serve over rice or as appetizers. Swap turkey for chicken if preferred. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Conclusion
Making Crockpot Hawaiian Turkey Meatballs is one of my favorite ways to bring warmth and love to the dinner table. It’s simple, comforting, and full of flavor — the perfect meal for family, friends, or a cozy night in. I hope this recipe fills your home with the same joy it brings mine, making cooking feel easy, fun, and utterly satisfying.