Crockpot Pineapple Sausage with a Sticky Sweet Glaze Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

To elevate the presentation of this simple dish, garnish the slow cooker with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or some finely sliced green onions just before serving. This adds a beautiful pop of color and a fresh, mild crunch that cuts through the rich sweetness of the glaze.

If you are serving this at a party, keep the slow cooker on the warm setting and provide a cup of sturdy toothpicks nearby so guests can easily help themselves without creating a mess.

If you find that your glaze is not as thick as you would like after the cooking process, you can easily adjust it. Simply whisk one tablespoon of cornstarch with one tablespoon of cold water to create a smooth slurry, then stir it into the bubbling sausage mixture during the last fifteen minutes of cooking.

This will rapidly thicken the sauce into an ultra-glossy, restaurant-style glaze that adheres perfectly to every single piece of sausage and pineapple.

Variations

• Spicy Pineapple Sausage: Add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or a tablespoon of sriracha to the slow cooker before cooking for a sweet and spicy kick.
• BBQ Pineapple Sausage: Stir in a half cup of your favorite smoky barbecue sauce to enhance the deep, wood-fired flavor of the smoked sausage.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Ensure they cool within 2 hours of cooking.

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave in 30-second bursts until piping hot.

Allow any leftovers to cool completely at room temperature for no more than two hours before transferring them to an airtight storage container. Store the container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The glaze will thicken and gelatinize as it cools, which is completely normal and preserves the rich flavors.

This dish is highly suitable for making ahead. You can slice the sausage and prep the pineapple the night before, storing them in separate containers in the fridge. Alternatively, you can assemble the entire dish in the slow cooker insert, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator overnight, then simply plug it in and start cooking the next day.

Serving ideas

This versatile dish can be served in a variety of delicious ways depending on the occasion. For an easy weeknight dinner, spoon the hot pineapple sausage and its sticky glaze over a generous bed of steamed white jasmine rice or brown rice.

The rice will absorb the sweet and savory sauce beautifully, creating a complete and satisfying meal that requires very little cleanup.

For parties, potlucks, or game day gatherings, serve these directly out of the slow cooker on the warm setting to keep them at the perfect temperature.

Pair them alongside other classic finger foods like meatballs, chicken wings, or a crisp vegetable platter. The sweet, smoky flavor profile pairs wonderfully with cold beers, refreshing iced teas, or sparkling waters, making it a hit at any social event.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Crockpot Pineapple Sausage with a Sticky Sweet Glaze

Prep 10 minCook 2 hRest 10 minTotal 2 h 20 minServes 8

Ingredients

• 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 20 oz canned pineapple chunks, with their juice

Instructions

1. Slice the smoked sausage into uniform 1/2-inch rounds and place them directly into the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the canned pineapple chunks along with all of their juice over the sausage slices.
2. Stir the sausage slices and pineapple chunks together to distribute them evenly in the slow cooker. Cover the cooker with the lid to trap the heat and moisture.
3. Set the slow cooker to cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or on high for 2 hours, allowing the sausage to heat through and the pineapple juice to begin reducing.
4. Remove the lid and stir the mixture thoroughly. Let the dish sit uncovered on the warm setting for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the pineapple juice and sausage juices to reduce into a thick, sticky glaze that coats the sausage slices.

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

230

Protein

8 g

Carbohydrates

15 g

Fat

15 g

Fiber

1 g

Sugar

13 g

Sodium

480 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.