Asian-Inspired Pork Meatballs with Pineapple in the Slow Cooker

I'm a fan of potstickers and this pork meatball mixture makes me think of the potsticker filling. I used a small slow cooker, so you may need to adjust the liquid ingredients if yours is larger. Serve over coconut rice (I used "Easy Coconut Jasmine Rice" from Allrecipes).

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr
• Total Time: 4 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 371 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup water
• 1 large egg
• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
• 1 fresh pineapple
• ½ cup panko bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onion, or more to taste
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine ground pork, bread crumbs, egg, ginger, soy sauce, and garlic in a large bowl for the meatballs. Knead gently with your fingers to combine. Cover bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours for flavors to meld.

Step 2

Peel pineapple and cut into 3/4-inch rings. Core rings and cut each ring into 1-inch wedges (you should have about 1 1/2 cups). Add pineapples to a slow cooker.

Step 3

Roll pork mixture into 12 to 16 balls and place into the slow cooker.

Step 4

Combine water, teriyaki sauce, and soy sauce in a small bowl and pour over the meatballs. It is okay for the liquid to not completely cover the meatballs.

Step 5

Cover slow cooker and cook on Low for 4 to 6 hours, or on High for 3 hours. Remove pineapple and pork balls with a slotted spoon to a bowl.

Step 6

Stir cornstarch into the sauce, whisking until well combined. Add pineapple and meatballs back into the slow cooker and cook until sauce has thickened, about 30 minutes more. Transfer mixture to a bowl and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.