If you are in the market for a super simple recipe that will make you the star of any party, look no further. If you are looking for a quick and easy dinner idea that your kids will actually eat, these easy sweet and sour Crock Pot meatballs are for you, too. We’ve made these meatballs countless times, both with homemade meatballs (because I’m a freak and actually enjoy making meatballs) and premade frozen meatballs, and every time they are a hit.
I understand that making my own meatballs completely defeats the purpose of an “easy” recipe, especially when the frozen store-bought meatballs are just as delicious, and my sister-in-law, Stephanie even called me out on my homemade meatballs.
Easy Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Crock Pot Thursday: Easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Ingredients
- About 2 1/2 pounds frozen meatballs
- 2 cups packed brown sugar (I thought this was a lot, and was tempted to use less. Two cups is just right.)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 3 Tablespoons ketchup
- 3 Tablespoons soy sauce
- Optional: one can pineapple chunks, drained
Instructions
- Place meatballs in slow cooker.
- Combine all other ingredients in a small saucepan.
- Heat until bubbly and somewhat thickened.
- Pour over meatballs.
- If desired, stir in pineapple chunks.
- Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, or until meatballs are heated through.
I used my 6.5-Quart Crock-Pot Programmable Touchscreen Slow Cooker to make these yummy Easy Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs.
While I was digging into my meatballs the first time I made them, I thought of my mother-in-law’s sweet and sour meatballs that she serves on Christmas Eve. I jumped up, fork in my hand and a meatball in mouth, and ran to the pantry to see if we had any canned pineapple chunks. We did, and I dumped them into the Crock Pot to serve with the rest of the meatballs. Next time, I’ll add the pineapple at the beginning. It added a nice dimension to the meatballs, even though it may make them a little more fancy shmancy.
These are great meal when served with rice, and would make a nice appetizer. My kids love to stick a meatball with a toothpick and eat it like a lollipop. Or shake it around like a meaty bobblehead. Who needs cake pops when you’ve got sweet and sour meatballs?
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Hi! Was just going to try your recipe. 2 questions!
1) Do you think turkey meatballs would be as good as beef or pork?
2) Do the meatballs have to be pre-cooked? (I was going to make them myself…)
Thanks! Love your site 🙂
Lana! I don’t know why I’m just seeing this comment, and my apologies for the SIX MONTH delay! I think turkey meatballs would be good, but my husband would disagree. You should brown your meatballs, mostly so they keep their shape, but they don’t need to be fully cooked before they go in the slow cooker.
Yes they have to be cooked
when you added the pineapple chunks:
1) what size was the can?
2) drained or juice and all to the crock of meatballs?
Hi Cindy! The can was medium sized, maybe 14 oz? I drained it before adding the pineapple to the slow cooker.
Trying out this recipe today – added the pineapple chunck to it – I will let you know if it’s a hit or not – but so far that sauce tastes amazing!!!!! can wait for the finished product!!!!!
It was a total hit – the kids absolutely loved them – today was a test run – making them for my work Christmas party!!!!
Yay! I’m so glad you liked them!
Oh man, now I totally want these but I’m putting off my grocery shopping until ‘during’ the game (I’m super lame…but practical….)
I made this recipe yesterday.. I did add the pineapple (I used tidbits because that’s was what I had in the pantry), and I added a bag of Schwan’s roasted onions and sweet peppers. Served it over rice, for supper. It was AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. We love onions and peppers, and that’s why we added them, but it would have been delicious even without them. That sauce is so good!
Yay! I’m so glad you liked them! Thank you for taking the time to come back and share your feedback. I love the idea of onions and peppers!
Could you not cut back on that sugar? That is a lot of sugar!
It really is, and you could certainly try. I haven’t, but since it’s an appetizer, it often feeds a bunch of people, so if you think of the sugar allocation that way, it isn’t as shocking. If you try it with less sugar, I’d love to hear how it turns out.
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thank you for recipe I made sweet and sour meatballs for both of my daughters baby showers I wish that I had found yours first the ones I made you only used hot sauce and grape jelly everyone said they were good but I thought that they were way to sweet thank again