Polynesian Beef is an easy slow cooker weeknight dinner! It’s easy to throw together and gets rave reviews every time it gets served!

 

 

This crockpot Polynesian beef is a savory dish of beef, pineapple, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. It tastes incredible on a bed of rice or mashed potatoes.

I love having pineapple beef because it is so easy to make! Crockpot meals mean less work for me!

I also love that this Hawaiian beef recipe uses all basic ingredients. You don’t need to go to any specialty stores for any of these ingredients.

And this is a hearty stew that fills you up and leaves you satisfied for a long time! Even the voracious kids!

But the best part is the flavor. It’s incredible. Fantastic. Amazing. And that’s just what other people have said about it! And I’m not even kidding!

 

 

What Ingredients are in Polynesian Beef?

This family favorite is made with large chunks of pineapple, perfectly cooked meat, and a little bit of everything delicious.

• Stew Meat: Find pre-cut stew meat or use roast and cut into stew meat pieces.
• Seasonings: Grab your seasoning salt, paprika, and ground ginger.
• Olive Oil: The oil will keep the stew meat from sticking when you sear it.
• Garlic and Onions: Together the perfect storm! Chop these up small.
• Pineapple: Use canned pineapple and don’t drain pineapple because you’ll want the pineapple juice too!
• Beef Bouillon: You could also use chicken bouillon cubes but the beef pairs better with the stew meat.
• Vinegar: White vinegar gives a nice tangy sort of flavor to the meat.
• Tomatoes: Canned tomatoes means this dinner is even easier to make.
• Brown Sugar: And a little sweetener to balance out the vinegar, tomatoes, and pineapple.
• Cornstarch: This will thicken the stew so it’s more stew like and less soup like
• Water: Mix well with cornstarch before adding to the beef stew.
• Soy Sauce: Can’t have crock pot Polynesian beef without that soy sauce!

Pro Tips:

• Low sodium soy sauce will give you less salt than regular soy sauce. You can always add more salt if needed.
• Other easy mix-ins are bamboo shoot, straw mushroom, pea pods, or baby corn.
• A garnish of green onion always adds a nice finishing touch too!

 

 

How to Cook Beef with Pineapple

Cooking with pineapple is actually really simple as long as you use the right type of pineapple.

Fresh pineapple is extremely acidic and actually breaks down the beef so that it becomes mushy and gross.

You need canned pineapple because the acidity has been broken down. Then you get all the flavor but none of the texture issues.

Here’s how to cook this easy beef with pineapple recipe:

1. Sear Beef: After mixing the beef and seasonings, get a nice sear on each side of the beef in a large skillet.
2. Dump: Then toss beef, garlic, pineapple, bouillon, vinegar, onions, and tomatoes in the slow cooker and let the slow cooker do the work.
3. Cook: At the end of your cooking time add the cornstarch mixture and let the stew thicken.

Pro Tips:

• Don’t fully cook the beef when you sear it! Otherwise it’ll get over done in the crock pot. Just get a nice color on the outside.
• Store over rice or mashed potatoes for a super filling and hearty meal. (Jasmine rice is our favorite!)
• Use a gallon size ziploc bag and shake bag to combine beef and seasonings.
• Cook time is generally 4 – 6 hours depending on your crockpot and your beef.
• You may need to sear the beef in multiple batches depending on your pan size.

 

 

How to Store Leftover Polynesian Beef

Any leftover Polynesian beef should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Let the Polynesian beef cool completely to room temperature before transferring to your container.

You can also store any leftovers in the freezer and have yourself a quick freezer meal!

In fact I like to double the recipe, one to eat now and one to eat later. It’s that good.

Simply place the beef in a freezer safe bag and freeze! Pull out and thaw in the fridge and then reheat on the stove.

 

 

How Long Does Polynesian Beef Last?

Polynesian beef will stay good in the fridge for up to 5 days.

It’ll also keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Never let it sit in the heat for long periods of time to help it stay fresh.

 

 

Can I Make Polynesian Beef in Advance?

Absolutely!

Even crockpot meals can be too much some days. I totally get that!

You can easily make this Polynesian beef to serve the next day. Simply let it cool and store like normal.

Then reheat on the stovetop in a large pot until heated through.

 

 

Can Dogs Eat Polynesian Beef?

Dogs shouldn’t eat Polynesian beef. As with other recipes calling for garlic and onions, dogs should stay far away.

Garlic and onions are both toxic for dogs and can cause massive harm.

Dogs should be able to eat some of the beef but you’d want to cook a separate batch for them without any of the seasonings. 

They don’t need seasonings or care about them!

 

 

More Stew Beef Recipes You’ll Love

Looking for other unique stew beef recipes? Stew meat can be used for more than just stew!

Here’s some recipes that really let that beef stew meat shine!

• Crockpot Beef Stew
• Beef Paprikash
• Easy Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
• BBQ Beef Tips
• Instant Pot Barbacoa
• Barbacoa Sandwich
• Barbacoa Quesadilla
• Beef Tips Recipe
• Pepper Steak with Stew Meat

More Pineapple Recipes You’ll Love

• Pineapple Rice Pudding
• Ham and Pineapple Kabobs
• Jello Slush Punch
• Easy Cranberry Salad
• Dole Whip Disney

And don’t forget, you don’t need to buy the most expensive cuts of meat.

Just buy the regular stew meat and save yourself some money!

 

 

Polynesian Beef is a quick and easy recipe that everyone will love! It’s easy to throw together and the perfect weeknight meal! Enjoy!

 

Originally Posted: December 13, 2016

Photos & Text Updated: October 18, 2022

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