Make a complete meal with a bag of meatballs! This recipe for Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs has so much flavor and is terrific over rice.
If you love Asian-inspired recipes, also try my Black Pepper Chicken, Orange Chicken Drumsticks, Beef Chow Mein, Mongolian Chicken or Sweet and Sour Chicken recipes.
One of my favorite meals to order at Chinese restaurants in sweet and sour chicken or pork. I thought why not try sweet and sour sauce on frozen meatballs! The combination of the sweet sauce, pineapple and bell peppers can not be matched.
How to make Sweet and Sour Meatballs:
- Meatballs – Frozen homestyle meatballs
- Sweet and Sour Sauce – Look for a jar of Sun Luck brand, P.F. Changs brand. Or a can of Contadina Sweet and Sour Sauce. I find these in the Asian section of the store.
- Pineapple – Use pineapple chunks not tidbits if possible.
- Bell Pepper – One red and one green.
- Baby Corn – Find these in the Asian section of the store. Drain well.
- Water Chestnuts – You will find these in the Asain section as well. Drain well.
- Seasonings – Freshly minced garlic and red pepper flakes.
How long do I cook?
- Place the lid on the slow cooker.
- Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5 hours. Stir occasionally.
Can I make my own sweet and sour sauce?
If you prefer not to use a jarred sweet and sour sauce, you can use my easy sweet and sour sauce recipe (dye-free).
- 1 1/2 cups apricot preserves or grape jelly
- 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
What should I serve with this?
- Steamed white rice – Recipe from Epicurius
- Chow mien noodles – Recipe from Dinner at the Zoo
Can add different vegetables?
- Broccoli florets
- Cut asparagus
- Snow peas
- Squares of Cabbage
More meatball recipes for your slow cooker:
- Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Apple Butter Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs
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Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 26 oz. frozen homestyle meatballs
- 20 oz. can. pineapple chunks drained
- 8 oz. can sliced water chestnuts drained
- 14.5 oz. can baby corn drained
- 2 bell peppers (I use one red and one green) cut into one-inch pieces
- 1 white onion cut into one-inch pieces
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 14.5 oz. bottle sweet and sour sauce (I use Sunluck Brand) Or use a can of Contadina Sweet and Sour Sauce
Instructions:
- Add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker.
- Next, add the pineapple and vegetables.
- Add the garlic and red pepper flakes.
- Pour over the sweet and sour sauce. Stir to coat the meatballs and vegetables in the sauce.
- Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or low for 5 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve with rice or chow mein noodles and enjoy!
How to Video:
Recipe Notes:
- 1 1/2 cups apricot preserves or grape jelly
- 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
- Broccoli florets
- Cut asparagus
- Snow peas
- Squares of Cabbage
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Is there a way to do frozen chicken nuggets instead of meatballs? Would I just need to cook the nuggets first or cook the whole thing longer?
I think you’d want to brown them first. The texture may be bad other wise.
Made this today and it was a big hit! We absolutely loved it! Thank you for sharing
Can you use canned corn instead of baby corn?
Yes, should do fine!
What would be a good side dish!!
Can I use different frozen meatballs?
Yes, any will work just fine!
Can you substitute pork or chicken?
Yes, though I would cook longer.
Hello, thank you for sharing your recipe. I will try this tonight. The way you presented it looks like so easy to follow. I really appreciate that step by step procedure. but, I have one question though:
Question, do I still need to fry the meatballs?
Thank you.
No, you don’t need to fry them.