Description

This Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe features tender homestyle meatballs simmered in a tangy and sweet pineapple-based sauce. Made easy in a slow cooker, this flavorful dish is perfect for a comforting family meal and pairs wonderfully with steamed white rice. The sauce combines pineapple juice, honey, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and ketchup, resulting in a vibrant and delicious dish that requires minimal effort.

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

Main Ingredients

1 (32 oz) bag frozen homestyle meatballs

Thickening Mixture

¼ cup water
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Optional Garnish

Sliced green onions

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Instructions

Prepare the Slow Cooker: Spray the slow cooker insert with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
Combine Sauce Ingredients: Add the canned pineapple chunks with juice (do not drain), honey, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and ketchup into the slow cooker. Stir well until all ingredients are fully blended into a smooth sauce.
Add the Meatballs: Place the frozen homestyle meatballs into the slow cooker. Stir gently to coat the meatballs evenly with the sweet and sour sauce.
Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW heat setting for 4 to 6 hours, allowing the meatballs to heat completely and the flavors to meld together.
Prepare Thickening Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup water and 2 tablespoons cornstarch until smooth and no lumps remain.
Thicken the Sauce: Pour the cornstarch mixture into the crockpot. Stir gently and let the sauce cook for an additional 30 minutes. If needed, switch the slow cooker to HIGH heat to speed up thickening.
Serve: Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, sprinkle sliced green onions over the meatballs for garnish if desired. Serve the sweet and sour meatballs hot over a bed of cooked white rice.

Notes

If you prefer a thicker sauce, extend the cooking time after adding the cornstarch slurry or switch to HIGH heat to thicken faster.
Frozen meatballs do not require thawing before adding to the slow cooker, making this recipe very convenient.
Adjust honey quantity to control the sweetness of the sauce.
Serve with steamed white rice or your favorite grain to soak up the flavorful sauce.
For a gluten-free option, be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American