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This sweet and sour meatball recipe is bursting with tangy and sweet flavors! Meatballs and pineapple chunks are tossed together in a sweet and sour sauce that will remind you of the Chinese takeout version. This slow cooker one is perfect to serve as an appetizer or on the side of a main dish!
I think there are two words in the English language that excite me more than any others – slow cooker. This recipe for sweet and sour meatballs is truly one of the best dishes you’ll ever make in your slow cooker! Savory ingredients like soy sauce and red pepper flakes pair perfectly with the sweeter ingredients like light brown sugar and pineapple chunks.
Sweet and sour is one of my favorite flavor combos, and the tastiest way to enjoy those flavors is on these savory meatballs. Whether you serve these meatballs over white rice for dinner or with toothpicks as an appetizer, you’ll be glad you used this recipe! The slow cooking time allows the meatballs to really absorb the delicious ingredients, making them SO flavorful.
Ingredients for Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Apple cider vinegar – this gives the sauce that sour flavor! It’s from the tang and zing of the vinegar.
- Light brown sugar – this gives the sauce the sweet flavor and a molasses-y depth of flavor.
- Ketchup – helps sweeten up the sauce as well and gives it color.
- Soy sauce – brings the umami in the sauce.
- Red pepper flakes – add more if you want it spicier!
- Cajun seasoning – this gives it a boost in spice and smokiness.
- Cornstarch – helps thicken up the sauce.
- Water
- Pre-cooked frozen meatballs – I used turkey meatballs but you can choose whatever kind you like.
- Pineapple chunks – fresh or canned. If using canned, drain most of the liquid before pouring into the slow cooker. The extra juice is definitely nice to add to the sauce!
- Cilantro or parsley – for garnish.
How to Make Sweet and Sour Meatballs Step by Step
- Make the sauce. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and cajun seasoning. In a separate small bowl, mix cornstarch and water, then add to the saucepan. Whisk often until the sauce starts to thicken, about 10 minutes.
- Bring together the dish. Add the frozen meatballs and pineapple chunks to the insert of the slow cooker. Pour the sauce all over then cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.
Sweet and Sour Meatball Variations
- Add vegetables. Adding in chopped red and orange bell peppers would make this dish so colorful and even more flavorful!
- Mix up the meat. Use a combination of meatballs like turkey and beef or chicken and turkey.
- Make your own meatballs. You can make your own meatballs for this dish if you’d like. Try these chicken meatballs or turkey meatballs. Feeling vegetarian? These tofu meatballs would be great in this dish as well!
FAQs
While I use turkey meatballs, there are definitely others you can choose from! Pork, chicken and beef meatballs will all work well with this recipe. Vegetarian-friendly meatballs are also an option, but you may have to adjust the cooking time to be a little shorter.
Yep! If you’re serving these as an appetizer at a party, I recommend keeping them right in the slow cooker on the warm setting. They should be tasty and fresh for the whole party!
Pineapple chunks from a can work just as well as freshly cut pineapple. Whichever way you go about adding pineapple, make sure that some of the juice gets added to the slow cooker, too. It gives the sauce the perfect amount of tangy sweetness!
Storage Instructions
These sweet and sour meatballs will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To freeze: This dish is actually great for freezing if you’re planning ahead. Simply keep the meatballs and sauce in an airtight container or Souper Cubes trays and it’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve them, allow the meatballs to thaw in the fridge overnight, then place them back in the slow cooker on the warm setting until they’re ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
Sweet and sour meatballs are versatile and may be served as an appetizer at game day or as a complement to fried rice or serve it on top of Jasmine Rice.
Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- ½ cup (118 ml) apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar
- ¼ cup (60 g) ketchup
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup (59 ml) water
For the rest of the dish:
- 2 pounds (907 g) pre-cooked frozen turkey meatballs
- 2 cups (473 g) pineapple chunks
- Cilantro or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium high heat, combine apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and cajun seasoning. In a separate small bowl, mix cornstarch and water, then add to the saucepan. Whisk often until the sauce starts to thicken, about 10 minutes.
- Add the meatballs and pineapple chunks to the slow cooker. Add the sweet and sour sauce and cover. Cook 4 hours on low, or 2 hours on high.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley. Serve over rice, or on its own with cocktail picks. Enjoy!
This was delicious! Flavor profile was great!
So easy to set it (& my rice cooker) and forget it. And really delicious! I halved the recipe because I only had a 1lb bag of meatballs, and the only thing that I wish I had done differently is leave the sauce amounts doubled and just half the meatballs/pineapple.