Description
Delicious and easy Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs cooked low and slow with pineapple, honey, soy sauce, and a tangy vinegar kick. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, these meatballs are coated in a thick, flavorful sauce and can be served over white rice with a fresh garnish of green onions.
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
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Meatballs
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen homestyle meatballs
Optional Garnish
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Spray the slow cooker insert with nonstick cooking spray. Add the canned pineapple chunks with the juice (do not drain), honey, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and ketchup into the slow cooker. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Add Meatballs: Place the frozen homestyle meatballs into the slow cooker. Stir carefully to ensure every meatball is coated with the sauce mixture.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 4 to 6 hours. This slow cooking allows the flavors to meld and the meatballs to heat through perfectly.
- Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the water and cornstarch with a fork until smooth. Pour this mixture into the crockpot and stir gently. Continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes. If you want the sauce to thicken quicker, switch the heat setting to HIGH temporarily while stirring occasionally.
- Serve: Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, serve the sweet and sour meatballs over a bed of cooked white rice. Garnish with sliced green onions for added freshness and visual appeal.
Notes
- Do not drain the pineapple chunks; the juice adds essential sweetness and flavor to the sauce.
- Frozen meatballs can be used straight from the freezer—no need to thaw.
- If the sauce isn’t thickening enough, add a bit more cornstarch slurry (water mixed with cornstarch) and cook a little longer.
- For a low-sodium version, use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce or omit added salt if desired.
- Serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
