Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs


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These Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs are tangy, colorful, and bursting with flavor—perfect over rice or served as an easy appetizer.

done cooking sweet and sour meatballs in slow cooker
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One of my go-to dishes at Chinese restaurants is sweet and sour chicken or pork—so I figured, why not try that same flavorful combo with frozen meatballs? The result is a delicious blend of tangy sauce, juicy pineapple, and tender bell peppers that’s hard to beat.

Serve these sweet and sour meatballs over rice for a satisfying meal, or keep it simple and serve them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Made in the crockpot with minimal prep, it’s an easy dish that delivers big flavor!

Key Ingredients:

Here is what you need to make sweet and sour meatballs. The full recipe is in the recipe card below the images.

ingredients for sweet and sour meatballs in bowl on wooden table
  • Meatballs – Frozen homestyle meatballs. You can also use homemade meatballs. If you go the homemade route, use lean ground beef and cook them first. We also use these meatballs in our honey garlic meatballs recipe.
  • 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 bell pepepr and one green bell pepper.
  • 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. This adds crunch to the meal.
  • Seasonings – Freshly minced garlic and red pepper flakes. (The full recipe is in the recipe card below the images).

How to Make Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Step One – Place frozen meatballs into the slow cooker.

Step Two – Next, add the pineapple, green peppers, and other vegetables. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes.

ingredients for sweet and sour meatballs not yet stirred in slow cooker

Step Three – Pour sauce over everything. Stir to coat the meatballs and vegetables in the sauce.

Step Four – Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or low for 5 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve and enjoy! (They can simmer until you’re ready to serve them for dinner.)

close up of sweet and sour meatballs done cooking in the slow cooker

How to Serve Sweet and Sour Meatballs:

Here is how my family likes to eat these meatballs:

  • Serve with rice or chow mein noodles and enjoy.
  • You can also enjoy these crock pot sweet and sour meatballs over mashed potatoes.
  • They make a delicious party appetizer served with sliced veggies and toothpicks for easy grabbing.
sweet and sour meatballs in bowl over rice
sweet and sour meatballs in bowl over rice

Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Meatballs with plenty of vegetables and coated in delicious sweet and sour sauce.

How to Video

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!

Sarah’s Notes

How to Store:
Store any leftover sweet and sour meatballs in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed throughout.
Can I make homemade sweet and sour sauce?
Yes, if you want to make an easy and dye-free sweet and sour sauce, try my easy recipe:
  • 1 1/2 cups apricot preserves or grape jelly
  • 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
Can I add different vegetables?
  • Broccoli florets
  • Cut asparagus
  • Snow peas
  • Squares of Cabbage
Serving Suggestions:
  • Serve with rice or chow mein noodles and enjoy.
  • You can also enjoy these crock pot sweet and sour meatballs over mashed potatoes.
  • They make a delicious party appetizer served with sliced veggies and toothpicks for easy grabbing.

Nutrition

Calories: 678kcal | Carbohydrates: 84g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 760mg | Potassium: 904mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 51g | Vitamin A: 418IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

More Meatballs Recipes for your Crockpot:

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs are sweet, savory, and perfect over rice. Grape Jelly Meatballs bring a classic sweet-and-tangy flavor that’s always a hit.

Apple Butter Meatballs have a cozy, fall-inspired sweetness. Salisbury Steak Meatballs are hearty and comforting with rich gravy.

Barbecue Meatballs and Baby Shower Meatballs are perfect for parties and potlucks. Jalapeño Meatballs add a spicy kick that heat lovers will enjoy.

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12 Comments

  1. Kara says:

    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?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I think you’d want to brown them first. The texture may be bad other wise.

  2. Kathleen Cain says:

    5 stars
    Made this today and it was a big hit! We absolutely loved it! Thank you for sharing

  3. Debbie leonard says:

    Can you use canned corn instead of baby corn?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, should do fine!

  4. lee shafer says:

    What would be a good side dish!!

  5. Caroline Carter says:

    Can I use different frozen meatballs?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, any will work just fine!

    2. Teri says:

      Can you substitute pork or chicken?

      1. Sarah Olson says:

        Yes, though I would cook longer.

  6. FLORINA G MEDINA says:

    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.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      No, you donโ€™t need to fry them.