Description
Let your slow cooker do the work while you enjoy the delicious payoff of these Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs. Juicy meatballs are simmered in a glossy, tangy-sweet sauce with pineapple chunks until everything is perfectly infused with flavor. It’s one of those easy dinner ideas that checks every box—minimal prep, family-friendly, and packed with taste. Whether you’re after a quick dinner, a game day snack, or crowd-pleasing food ideas, this easy recipe fits the bill. Add it to your list of dinner ideas or serve it up as a hearty, healthy snack!
Ingredients
32 oz frozen meatballs
20 oz can pineapple chunks with juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Cooked white rice for serving
Instructions
1. In a medium bowl, mix together the pineapple chunks with juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce until well combined.
2. Place frozen meatballs into the slow cooker in an even layer.
3. Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs, stirring gently to coat.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours.
5. In the last 15 minutes of cooking, whisk together cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
6. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker and let the sauce thicken with the lid off.
7. Serve hot over cooked white rice, making sure to spoon plenty of sauce and pineapple with each portion.
Notes
You can substitute the pineapple with canned peaches or fresh mango for a unique twist.
For a spicy variation, add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
These meatballs are also great served in a sandwich roll for a sweet and savory meatball sub.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg