The Story & Intro
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.
Now let me tell you something funny: if you’d asked teenage-me in Paris what meatballs with pineapple were, I would’ve raised an eyebrow and reached for a baguette instead 🥖😅. But life has a beautiful way of surprising us. When I moved to the US, I was introduced to potlucks, game-day spreads, and slow cooker magic. That’s where I first tasted 3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs, and oh là là… I was hooked.
These 3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs are sweet, tangy, juicy, and ridiculously easy. I’m talking throw-it-together-and-walk-away easy. They became my go-to recipe when friends popped over unexpectedly, when I needed something crowd-pleasing for parties, or when I simply wanted comfort food without the fuss.
What I love most about 3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs is how they prove that simple food can still feel special. Three ingredients. One pot. Endless smiles. Whether you’re hosting a party, feeding a hungry family, or just craving something warm and saucy, this recipe always delivers.
Let’s dive into this sweet-and-savory classic that stole my French heart 💛🌴.
🛒 Ingredients
This recipe stays true to its name only three ingredients, no substitutions required (unless you want to get fancy 😉).
- Frozen meatballs – Beef, turkey, or chicken all work beautifully
- Pineapple chunks – Canned, with juice (that juice is flavor gold!)
- Sweet chili sauce – The perfect balance of sweet and heat
That’s it. No chopping. No measuring cups. No stress.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the Meatballs
Place the frozen meatballs directly into your slow cooker or large saucepan. No need to thaw they’ll cook perfectly from frozen.
Step 2: Pour in the Pineapple
Add the pineapple chunks with their juice. This creates the sweet, tangy base that makes 3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs irresistible.
Step 3: Add the Sweet Chili Sauce
Pour the sweet chili sauce over everything. Use a spoon to gently stir so every meatball gets coated in that glossy sauce.
Step 4: Cook Low & Slow
- Slow Cooker: Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours
- Stovetop: Simmer gently for about 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally
Step 5: Serve & Smile
Once the sauce thickens and the meatballs are tender, they’re ready to enjoy. The aroma alone will bring people into the kitchen!
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
One of the reasons I adore 3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs is their versatility. You can serve them so many ways:
- As a party appetizer with toothpicks
- Over steamed white rice or jasmine rice
- Stuffed into slider buns for Hawaiian meatball sandwiches
- Alongside fried rice or noodles
- With roasted veggies for a balanced meal
They’re sweet enough for kids, flavorful enough for adults, and always disappear fast.
⏱️ Time • 🛒 Ingredients • 👩🍳 Instructions • 📝 Notes • 🍽️ Nutrition
📋 Recipe Card (Table Format)
| 🧾 Recipe Name | 3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs |
|---|---|
| ⏱️ Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| ⏱️ Cook Time | 4 hours (slow cooker) |
| ⏱️ Total Time | 4 hours 5 minutes |
| 🍽️ Servings | 8 servings |
🛒 Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 32 oz | Frozen meatballs |
| 20 oz | Pineapple chunks (with juice) |
| 1 cup | Sweet chili sauce |
👩🍳 Instructions
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Add frozen meatballs to slow cooker |
| 2 | Pour in pineapple chunks with juice |
| 3 | Add sweet chili sauce and stir |
| 4 | Cook on LOW 4–5 hours or HIGH 2–3 hours |
| 5 | Serve warm and enjoy |
📝 Notes
| Tip |
|---|
| Use turkey meatballs for a lighter option |
| Add red pepper flakes for extra heat |
| Keeps warm perfectly for parties |
🍽️ Nutrition (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~320 |
| Protein | 14g |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Fat | 16g |
| Sugar | 18g |
📝 Notes & Tips from My Kitchen
- You can double this recipe easily for large gatherings
- Leftovers taste even better the next day
- Use fresh pineapple if you want a brighter flavor
- These meatballs freeze well after cooking
Every time I make 3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs, someone asks for the recipe and then laughs when I tell them how simple it is 😄.
Conclusion
These 3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs remind me why I fell in love with American home cooking. They’re bold, comforting, and unapologetically fun. From my French roots to my American kitchen, this recipe represents everything I love about food sharing, simplicity, and joy.
If you’re looking for a stress-free dish that delivers big flavor with minimal effort, this is it. Make them once, and I promise they’ll become a regular on your table ❤️🍍.