Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
This Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe combines tender frozen homestyle meatballs with a tangy and sweet pineapple sauce. Slow-cooked to perfection, the meatballs absorb the flavors of honey, soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar, then are thickened with a cornstarch slurry for a rich, glossy finish. A perfect, hands-off meal served over white rice and garnished with fresh green onions for an easy family dinner or party appetizer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours on LOW + 30 minutes thickening
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes to 6 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American - Fusion
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Meatballs
- 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in 100% juice (do not drain)
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen homestyle meatballs
Thickener
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Garnish
- Sliced green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker
Spray the slow cooker insert with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. - Combine Sauce Ingredients
In the slow cooker, add the canned pineapple chunks along with their juice (do not drain), honey, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and ketchup. Stir well until all ingredients are fully combined to form the sweet and sour sauce base. - Add Meatballs
Place the frozen homestyle meatballs into the slow cooker with the sauce. Stir gently to ensure all the meatballs are coated with the sauce. - Cook on Low
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 4 to 6 hours, allowing the meatballs to heat through and absorb the flavors of the sauce. - Prepare Thickening Slurry
In a small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps. - Thicken Sauce
Pour the cornstarch slurry into the crockpot and stir gently. Cook for an additional 30 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. If a quicker thickening is desired, increase the heat to HIGH temporarily until the sauce reaches the preferred consistency. - Serve
Once the sauce is thick and glossy, sprinkle the meatballs with sliced green onions if using. Serve the sweet and sour meatballs over a bed of cooked white rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Do not drain the pineapple juice, as it adds essential sweetness and flavor to the sauce.
- You can substitute the frozen homestyle meatballs with homemade or pre-cooked meatballs if preferred.
- Adjust cooking time based on your slow cooker model, as temperatures may vary.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture before cooking.
- Make sure to stir the cornstarch mixture well before adding to prevent lumps.
Keywords: sweet and sour meatballs, crockpot meatballs, slow cooker recipes, easy dinner, pineapple meatballs, party appetizer
