Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
May 04, 2024Updated May 05, 2025
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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.

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.
- 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.
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.)
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.
Featured Comment
“Made this today and it was a big hit! We absolutely loved it! Thank you for sharing!”
– Kathleen
Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
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
- 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
- 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
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
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.
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 donโt need to fry them.