Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs

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Busy days call for easy, crowd-pleasing recipes, and these slow cooker sweet and sour meatballs check all the boxes! Juicy meatballs simmer in a rich, tangy-sweet sauce made with pineapple, brown sugar, and a splash of soy sauce for that perfect balance of flavors. Whether you’re serving them as a party appetizer or an effortless weeknight dinner, this dish is always a hit. Just toss everything in the Crockpot, let it do the work, and get ready for a meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen—without the hassle!

This slow cooker sweet and sour meatballs recipe is quick to prepare and the flavors are just wonderful, with tender meatballs and an irresistible sweet and sour sauce.

You might also like skillet sweet and sour meatballs, this gluten-free sweet and sour sauce, and these slow cooker Swedish meatballs.

Why You’ll Love It

So easy to make: Simply add the ingredients to your crockpot and switch it on! This recipe couldn’t be simpler.
Tastes delicious: The tangy sweet and sour sauce pairs beautifully with the tender meatballs.
A versatile dish: These meatballs in sweet and sour sauce make a tasty appetizer or main course. They’re great as a treat for the family or as a party appetizer or potluck dish.

A plate of white rice topped with meatballs, pineapple chunks, and bell peppers in a sauce, garnished with sliced green onions, with a slow cooker in the background.

Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Meatballs: I used frozen homestyle meatballs. You can use frozen meatballs, perhaps turkey, chicken, homestyle, or ground beef. Another option is fresh or frozen homemade meatballs.
Pineapple: Canned pineapple chunks are perfect for this recipe. You’ll use the pineapple chunks in the dish and the pineapple juice for the sauce.
Sugar: To sweeten the sauce.
Apple cider vinegar: Adds a sour tang to contrast with the sweetness.
Ketchup: Adds sweetness as well as a tasty tomato flavor.
Bell peppers: Red and green bell peppers add sweet and savory flavors and add pops of color to the dish.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch thickens the sauce.
Soy sauce: Adds a touch of salt and umami flavor.
Green onions: For garnish.

Various ingredients including meatballs, pineapple, brown sugar, peppers, onions, ketchup, soy sauce, and flour arranged in bowls on a white surface.

How to Make Sweet and Sour Meatballs

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Add the ingredients to your crockpot: Add the meatballs in the slow cooker, followed by the pineapple, bell peppers and onion. Whisk together the juice from the canned pineapple chunks, along with the apple cider vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, and cornstarch. Pour sauce into the crockpot.
Cook the sweet and sour meatballs: Cover and cook on low until the sauce is thick and the meatballs are piping hot in the center, stirring halfway through the cooking time.
Serve and enjoy: Serve the sweet and sour meatballs hot, garnished with sliced green onions if liked.

A plate of sweet and sour meatballs with pineapple, bell peppers, and green onions, served over white rice.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, make sure you’re using gluten-free meatballs.
Meatballs: Use beef, pork or ground turkey meatballs, or any other kind you like. You could even use homemade leftover meatballs.
Brown sugar: Use less sugar for a less sweet flavor.
Cornstarch: You can substitute arrowroot powder.
Bell peppers: I used red and green bell peppers but you can use any kind, perhaps orange and/or yellow if you like the sweeter ones best.
Pineapple chunks: You can use pineapple tidbits or even fresh pineapple instead.
Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce or some chili sauce to the recipe.

A fork holds a meatball above a bowl filled with meatballs, red and green peppers, pineapple chunks, and sauce.

Serving Suggestions

As an appetizer: Served with toothpicks, this makes a great buffet appetizer. You can serve the meatballs with homemade bread or crackers.
As a main dish: Enjoy your sweet and sour meatballs over plain or hibachi rice, egg noodles, cauliflower rice, or mashed potatoes. You could add an iceberg wedge salad on the side.

A wooden spoon holds meatballs with sauce, bell peppers, and green onions in a slow cooker.

How to Store Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze these in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost them in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm them back up in a pan on the stove.

Top Tips

Use plain meatballs: Don’t use flavored meatballs, such as Italian meatballs, as those flavors won’t work with the sweet and sour sauce.
If using fresh meatballs: If you’re using uncooked fresh meatballs instead of frozen, the cooking time might be longer. Cook for 4 to 6 hours on low or until the meatballs are 160°F in the center.
Cool before storing: Let your sweet and sour meatballs completely cool before storing, otherwise the condensation in the container will make the meatball sauce watery.

A bowl of meatballs with pineapple chunks and bell peppers, garnished with sliced green onions. There is salt, pepper, and a slow cooker in the background.

Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs FAQs

How long does it take until the sauce thickens up?

Mine took about 4 hours. If you want to speed things up once your meatballs are hot, you can take the lid off your crockpot and cook on high for 15 to 20 minutes so it thickens more quickly. Stir it often so it doesn’t scorch on the bottom.

Is this best as an appetizer or as a main course?

That’s your choice, as either will work. If you’re making sweet and sour meatballs for an appetizer, you might prefer to make it with just the sauce and not use bell peppers, onions and pineapple. You’ll still need the cup of liquid from the pineapple can though, but you can substitute ½ cup pineapple juice and ½ cup water rather than opening a can just for the juice.

Best Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs Recipe

Slow cooker filled with frozen meatballs on a light background.

These slow cooker sweet and sour meatballs are so simple to make and they’re ideal for any occasion, whether you’re looking for an appetizer to take to a potluck supper or wondering what to serve up for dinner tonight. A delicious and easy recipe, these tender meatballs in a tangy sweet and sour sauce make a satisfying snack, appetizer or meal with rice, noodles or mashed potatoes, and you’re going to love the amazing flavors this dish offers.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.