Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs. Tender meatballs in a tangy, sweet sauce. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to keeping them moist. The result is a cozy, family favorite that’s better than takeout. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips, including how to prevent soggy meatballs. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Grilled Asparagus with Tangy Tahini Lemon Sauce and Easy One-Pan Lemon Chicken and Rice Dinner Recipe.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Tender meatballs in a tangy, sweet sauce
- Easy, hands-off cooking in the slow cooker
- Better than takeout, perfect for busy weeknights
- Freezes well for meal prep
What You'll Need for Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 can pineapple chunks
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Optional: Green onions
- Optional: Sesame seeds
- Optional: Chopped peanuts
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef: You can also use ground turkey or chicken.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko or regular breadcrumbs work fine.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Hands-off cooking for tender meatballs → See on Amazon
- Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked meatballs → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cumin. Mix well.
- Step 2: Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Place them in the slow cooker.
- Step 3: In a bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Pour over meatballs.
- Step 4: Add pineapple chunks to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcrowding the slow cooker to prevent soggy meatballs. If you have too many, cook them in batches.
- Tip: For extra flavor, brown the meatballs in a pan before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Tip: Add a splash of water to the slow cooker if the sauce becomes too thick.
Storing & Reheating Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Meatballs can be formed and frozen ahead of time. Add them frozen to the slow cooker, increasing cooking time by about 1 hour.
Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Freeze cooked meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef and pork.
- Make-ahead: Meatballs can be made ahead of time and frozen. Add them frozen to the slow cooker, increasing cooking time by about 1 hour.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir it into the slow cooker. If it's too thick, add a splash of water.
Want to level up this recipe?
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Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 can pineapple chunks
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Cumin
Optional Toppings
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cumin. Mix well.
- Step 2: Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Place them in the slow cooker.
- Step 3: In a bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Pour over meatballs.
- Step 4: Add pineapple chunks to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef and pork.
- Make-ahead: Meatballs can be made ahead of time and frozen. Add them frozen to the slow cooker, increasing cooking time by about 1 hour.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir it into the slow cooker. If it's too thick, add a splash of water.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Meatballs can be formed and frozen ahead of time. Add them frozen to the slow cooker, increasing cooking time by about 1 hour.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 24g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them. Add them frozen to the slow cooker, increasing cooking time by about 1 hour.
Your meatballs may be falling apart if they're not held together with enough breadcrumbs or egg. Try adding more of these ingredients to your mixture.
Yes, you can make these in the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural release.
These meatballs are great served over rice or noodles, with a side of steamed vegetables or a green salad.
Yes, you can use frozen meatballs. Add them to the slow cooker frozen, increasing cooking time by about 1 hour.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
