Description
This Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe is an easy, flavorful dish perfect for busy days. Tender frozen meatballs are simmered in a tangy and sweet sauce made from pineapple chunks, honey, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and ketchup. Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully, and a quick cornstarch slurry thickens the sauce to the perfect consistency. Garnished with fresh green onions, these meatballs are great served over steamed white rice for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 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
Meatballs
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen homestyle meatballs
Thickening Agent
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Garnish (Optional)
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Spray the slow cooker insert with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Add the canned pineapple chunks along with their juice (do not drain), honey, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and ketchup into the slow cooker. Stir all ingredients thoroughly until well combined to create the sweet and sour sauce base.
- Add Meatballs: Place the frozen homestyle meatballs into the slow cooker. Stir gently to coat all the meatballs evenly with the prepared sauce mixture, ensuring every meatball absorbs the flavorful sauce.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on LOW heat for 4 to 6 hours. This slow cooking process allows the meatballs to heat through completely and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the water and cornstarch together using a fork until smooth and combined. Pour this slurry into the slow cooker and stir gently. Continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes to thicken the sauce. If the sauce doesn’t thicken enough at LOW heat, increase the slow cooker to HIGH setting to speed up the process.
- Serve: Once the sauce has thickened, sprinkle sliced green onions over the meatballs for a fresh garnish if desired. Serve the sweet and sour meatballs hot, ideally over a bed of cooked white rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Do not drain the pineapple juice as it adds natural sweetness and moisture to the sauce.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some sriracha to the sauce mixture before cooking.
- Frozen meatballs can be homemade or store-bought; just ensure they are fully cooked before adding to the slow cooker.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce and check the meatball ingredients accordingly.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated; the flavors often improve after sitting overnight.
