Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
These Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs are the perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Juicy meatballs simmer in a delicious sauce that’s made with simple pantry ingredients. With just a few minutes of prep, this dish is ideal for busy days when you want something hearty but easy. Plus, your slow cooker does all the work!
Whether you're hosting a party or just craving comfort food, these meatballs are always a hit. Serve them over rice or as an appetizer for a flavorful dish everyone will love. Try them out for your next gathering or a simple weeknight meal!
What Makes This Recipe So Good?
- Easy to Prepare: Minimal prep time with the slow cooker doing most of the work.
- Perfect Flavor Balance: The sweet and sour sauce provides a delicious blend of tangy and sweet.
- Great for Busy Days: Set it and forget it—perfect for weeknights or when you're on the go.
- Versatile: Serve as an appetizer, over rice, or with your favorite sides.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Always a hit at parties, family dinners, or potlucks.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, no complicated ingredients required.
Key Ingredients
- Ground Beef: The base for juicy, tender meatballs.
- Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meatballs and adds texture.
- Eggs: Ensures the meatballs hold together during cooking.
- Garlic & Onion: Adds depth of flavor to the meatballs.
- Ketchup: A key ingredient for the sweet and tangy sauce.
- Soy Sauce: Adds savory, umami richness to balance the sweetness.
- Vinegar: Provides the tangy component of the sweet and sour sauce.
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens the sauce for that perfect flavor contrast.
- Pineapple Chunks: Adds a burst of sweetness and texture to the dish.
- Bell Peppers: Gives the sauce extra crunch and color.
Chefs Helpful Tips
- Use a Cookie Scoop: For evenly sized meatballs, use a cookie scoop to portion them out before rolling.
- Sear Meatballs First: For extra flavor and a firmer texture, brown the meatballs in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Don’t Skip the Pineapple: The pineapple chunks not only add sweetness but also help tenderize the meatballs.
- Thicken the Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix in a slurry of cornstarch and water during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Adjust Sweetness and Tanginess: Taste the sauce and adjust the sugar or vinegar to your personal preference.
- Freeze for Later: These meatballs freeze well—perfect for meal prepping. Just make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for another day!
Recipes To Try...
These Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs are the perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Juicy meatballs simmer in a delicious sauce that’s made with simple pantry ingredients. With just a few minutes of prep, this dish is ideal for busy days when you want something hearty but easy. Plus, your slow cooker does all the work!
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cups diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (canned or fresh)
- 1 bell pepper (diced)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 1/4 cup water (optional, for cornstarch slurry)
- Prepare the Meatballs
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, diced onion, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the Meatballs
Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. If desired, brown the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Make the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar.
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker
Place the meatballs in the slow cooker. Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the meatballs, making sure they are fully coated.
- Add Pineapple and Bell Peppers
Top the meatballs with the pineapple chunks and diced bell peppers.
- Cook
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
- Optional—Thicken the Sauce
If you prefer a thicker sauce, 30 minutes before serving, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker and allow the sauce to thicken.
- Serve
Serve the sweet and sour meatballs over rice or as an appetizer, and enjoy!
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 370kcal
- Calories from Fat 180kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 20g31%
- Saturated Fat 7g35%
- Trans Fat 0.5g
- Cholesterol 90mg30%
- Sodium 820mg35%
- Potassium 430mg13%
- Total Carbohydrate 30g10%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 20g
- Protein 18g36%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.