Description
This Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe offers a deliciously tangy and savory dish perfect for an easy weeknight meal. Made with frozen homestyle meatballs simmered in a vibrant sauce of pineapple, honey, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and ketchup, it’s a hands-off slow cooker recipe that yields tender meatballs coated in a thick, flavorful glaze. Garnished with fresh green onions, this dish pairs wonderfully with steamed white rice for a satisfying family-friendly 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 Mixture
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Garnish (Optional)
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Spray the slow cooker insert with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Add the pineapple chunks along with the juice (do not drain), honey, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and ketchup into the slow cooker and stir well until combined to create the sweet and sour sauce base.
- Add the Meatballs: Place the frozen homestyle meatballs into the slow cooker with the sauce. Stir gently until all meatballs are evenly coated with the sauce, ensuring flavor penetrates each one.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the meatballs on LOW heat for 4 to 6 hours. During this time, the meatballs will warm through and absorb the sweet and tangy flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch until fully combined. Pour this mixture into the crockpot, stir gently, and allow it to cook for an additional 30 minutes to thicken the sauce. If a faster thickening is desired, increase the slow cooker to HIGH heat.
- Serve: Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, sprinkle the meatballs with sliced green onions if using. Serve the sweet and sour meatballs hot over a bed of cooked white rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Do not drain the pineapple chunks; the juice adds essential flavor to the sauce.
- Using frozen meatballs saves time and they cook perfectly in the crockpot.
- If sauce isn’t thickening enough, you can add a little more cornstarch slurry and cook a bit longer.
- Green onions add a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color, but can be omitted if desired.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
