January 12, 2024
Review RecipeTeriyaki Meatballs
These saucy teriyaki meatballs smothered in a sweet teriyaki sauce are a crowd-pleaser whether served as an appetizer or dinner on a busy weeknight.
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Unleash a burst of flavors with our teriyaki meatballs recipe, creating a blend of sweet, savory, and tangy notes. For this delicious dinner or appetizer, pre-made meatballs are smothered in a homemade teriyaki sauce and warmed up in a slow cooker.
Teriyaki Meatballs Ingredients
This recipe calls for a blend of Asian sauces and spices to create a rich, flavorful teriyaki sauce for the meatballs.
The pineapple juice adds sweetness and tanginess, while the hoisin sauce brings a sweet and salty element.
Minced garlic and grated ginger add a distinct spiciness, while the sesame oil gives the sauce a nutty touch.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 (28-ounce) bags of frozen homestyle meatballs
- 1 cup of low-sodium soy sauce
- ¾ cup of 100% pineapple juice
- ½ cup of hoisin sauce
- ½ cup of light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons of grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons of sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon of cold water
- Thinly chopped scallions, sesame seeds, optional garnish
PRO TIP:
You can make your meatballs from scratch if you prefer. You need to note that they will NOT need to cook for the entire time, as stated in this recipe.
Check them at the one-and-a-half to two-hour mark.
You are looking for your sauce to thicken and for your meatballs to really absorb the flavor of the teriyaki sauce.
Substitutions And Additions
FROZEN HOMESTYLE MEATBALLS: If you prefer homemade meatballs or have dietary restrictions, feel free to use your favorite meatball recipe.
Just remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
The Italian-style frozen meatballs are delicious; however, the Italian seasonings do not blend as well with the Asian flavors of the teriyaki sauce.
LOW-SODIUM SOY SAUCE: If you’re on a gluten-free diet, tamari is a great alternative. It has a similar flavor profile but is usually gluten-free.
JUICE: If you don’t have pineapple juice, orange juice can also work. It will give the sauce a different kind of tanginess and sweetness.
PINEAPPLE JUICE: Dole brand makes a six-pack of mini, six-ounce cans of 100% pineapple juice. One of these cans works perfectly in this easy pineapple teriyaki meatballs recipe.
HOISIN SAUCE: If this is not available, you can mix together soy sauce, peanut butter, a dash of vinegar, and some black pepper for a similar flavor.
LIGHT BROWN SUGAR: If you want a healthier alternative, coconut sugar or honey can be used. Just remember that this might slightly alter the flavor of the sauce.
SAUCE: Instead of making your own teriyaki sauce, you can make a shortcut sauce.
Add two cups of your favorite bottled store-bought teriyaki sauce with three-quarters of a cup of pineapple juice and half a cup of water.
Stir and pour over the meatballs.
Cook according to step four. You will only need to add the cornstarch slurry if you want your sauce to thicken up.
How To Make This Teriyaki Meatballs Recipe
The process of making these delicious meatballs is straightforward, and the result is a dish that’s packed with flavor.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
We love using a crockpot liner to make clean-up easy.
You can also spray the slow cooker dish with non-stick cooking spray before pouring in your ingredients.
STEP ONE: Add the frozen homestyle meatballs to the insert of a six-quart slow cooker.
STEP TWO: In a medium bowl, add the low-sodium soy sauce, pineapple juice, hoisin sauce, light brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil.
Whisk to combine to create the teriyaki sauce.
STEP THREE: Pour the teriyaki sauce evenly over all the frozen meatballs in the slow cooker.
STEP FOUR: Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for four to four-and-a-half hours.
STEP FIVE: Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry.
Remove the lid, pour the slurry into the slow cooker, and stir it into the sauce and meatballs.
STEP SIX: Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and keep the lid off the slow cooker for 20-30 minutes. This will allow the sauce to thicken.
Be sure to stir your meatballs and sauce every few minutes until your sauce has thickened to the desired consistency.
STEP SEVEN: Stir the meatballs to evenly coat all the meatballs with the sauce.
Garnish with the thinly sliced scallions and sesame seeds if desired before serving.
PRO TIP:
If serving these juicy meatballs as an appetizer, you can set your slow cooker to WARM, and the meatballs can be kept covered for an additional one to two hours.
How To Serve
Our teriyaki meatballs are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways.
Whether you’re hosting a game-day party or preparing a weeknight dinner, these meatballs are sure to impress.
Serve these teriyaki meatballs on their own with toothpicks for an easy-to-eat appetizer. The sweet and savory teriyaki sauce makes them a hit at any gathering.
For a hearty meal, serve these teriyaki meatballs over a bed of steamed white or brown rice. The rice soaks up the extra sauce, making every bite full of flavor.
Pair these meatballs with sauteed vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and peppers for a balanced and nutritious meal.
Try serving these meatballs in a sandwich or sub roll for a fun twist. Add some pickled vegetables and a drizzle of extra teriyaki sauce for a delicious meatball sub.
Toss these meatballs with cooked noodles like soba or udon for a satisfying noodle bowl. Add some stir-fried vegetables for extra crunch and nutrition.
For more easy meatball recipes, check out our grape jelly meatballs and crockpot Swedish meatballs too.
When To Serve
PARTY APPETIZER: Teriyaki meatballs make excellent finger food for gatherings. Serve them as appetizers at birthday parties, game nights, or any social event.
GAME DAY SNACK: Whether you’re watching sports with friends or hosting a game day party, teriyaki meatballs are a crowd-pleasing snack.
FAMILY DINNER: Make teriyaki meatballs the star of a family dinner served with steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables. It’s a quick and satisfying meal that everyone will love.
POTLUCK CONTRIBUTION: If you’re attending a potluck or a neighborhood get-together, bring a tray of teriyaki meatballs.
MORE MEATBALL RECIPES
Storage
Our easy teriyaki meatballs are not just delicious when freshly made, but they also store well, making them perfect for meal prep or leftovers.
MAKE AHEAD: If you want to get a head start on your meal prep, you can make the teriyaki sauce in advance.
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
When you’re ready to cook, just add the meatballs and sauce to the slow cooker.
IN THE FRIDGE: Leftover teriyaki meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
The flavors will continue to meld, making the leftovers just as delicious as when freshly made.
IN THE FREEZER: For longer storage, you can freeze the sauce-coated meatballs.
Once they have cooled completely, transfer them to an airtight container and freeze for up to two months.
REHEATING: To reheat, thaw the frozen meatballs in the refrigerator before rewarming them.
You can rewarm these meatballs in a large sauce pot on medium-low heat.
You may need to add a tablespoon, or two, of water to loosen up the sauce as the meatballs warm through.
Why We Love This Recipe
Our crockpot teriyaki meatballs recipe is a favorite for many reasons.
EASY TO MAKE: With simple ingredients and a slow cooker, this recipe is easy to make.
DELICIOUS: The sweet and savory teriyaki sauce gives these meatballs a delicious flavor that’s hard to resist.
CROWD-PLEASER: They’re easy to eat, and their flavor is universally appealing, making them a crowd-pleaser.
Our teriyaki meatballs recipe is a blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that will transport your taste buds to the heart of Asian cuisine. Whether served as a party appetizer or a weeknight dinner, these meatballs are sure to impress with their delicious taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh meatballs instead of frozen ones?
You can use fresh meatballs.
However, you will need to adjust the cooking time as fresh meatballs will not need to cook as long as frozen ones.
Can I use a different type of meat for the meatballs?
You can use your preferred type of meat for the meatballs.
Just remember that the flavor and cooking time may vary depending on the type of meat used.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
This easy recipe can be adapted for an Instant Pot.
You will need to adjust the cooking time according to the Instant Pot instructions for cooking meatballs.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
You can make this recipe vegetarian by using vegetarian meatballs.
Just remember to check the other ingredients to ensure they are vegetarian-friendly.
Can I double this teriyaki meatball recipe?
You can double this recipe. Just ensure your slow cooker is large enough to accommodate the increased quantity.
Can I use a different sauce instead of teriyaki?
You can use a different sauce. However, this will change the flavor profile of the dish.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
If you want a thicker sauce, you can increase the amount of cornstarch used.
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Teriyaki Meatballs
These saucy teriyaki meatballs smothered in a sweet teriyaki sauce are a crowd-pleaser whether served as an appetizer or dinner on a busy weeknight.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings 16
Ingredients
- 56 ounces frozen homestyle meatballs
- 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¾ cup 100% pineapple juice
- ½ cup hoisin sauce
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- thinly chopped scallions, optional garnish
- sesame seeds, optional garnish
Instructions
- Add the frozen homestyle meatballs to the insert of a 6-quart slow cooker (crockpot).
- In a medium bowl, add the low-sodium soy sauce, pineapple juice, hoisin sauce, light brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Whisk to combine to create the teriyaki sauce.
- Pour the teriyaki sauce evenly over all the frozen meatballs in the slow cooker.
- Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 4½ hours.
- Whisk together the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Remove the lid, pour the slurry into the slow cooker, and stir it into the sauce and meatballs.
- Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and keep the lid off of the slow cooker for 20 to 30 minutes. This will allow the sauce to thicken. Be sure to stir your meatballs and sauce every few minutes until your sauce has thickened to the desired consistency.
- Stir the meatballs to evenly coat all the meatballs with the sauce and garnish with the thinly sliced scallions and sesame seeds if desired before serving.
Notes
- You can make your meatballs from scratch if you prefer. You need to note that they will NOT need to cook for the entire time, as stated in this recipe. Check them at the 1½-2-hour mark. You are looking for your sauce to thicken and for your meatballs to really absorb the flavor of the teriyaki sauce.
- We love using a crockpot liner to make clean-up easy. You can also spray the slow cooker dish with non-stick cooking spray before pouring in your ingredients.
- If serving these juicy meatballs as an appetizer, you can set your slow cooker to WARM, and the meatballs can be kept covered for an additional 1 to 2 hours.
Nutrition
Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 771mg | Potassium: 382mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
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