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Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a quick & easy slow cooker recipe that starts with frozen meatballs! Meatballs and pineapple cook in a homemade sweet and sour sauce right in the crockpot. Serve over rice for a yummy, family favorite, and easy weeknight meal.

For more dinner recipes that use frozen meatballs be sure and try Easy Swedish Meatballs, Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs, and Slow Cooker Asian Sesame Meatballs. 

Close up of the meatballs inside the slow cooker

Easy Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe (Frozen Meatballs With Sour Sauce Recipe)

The whole family will love this easy dinner idea complete with tender meatballs, sweet pineapple, and a homemade tangy sauce reminiscent of your favorite sweet & sour from a restaurant. 

It’s a great option for a busy weeknight when you want a delicious dinner ready to go or when you need to eat dinner at different times – if you have multiple kids in different after school activities then you know what I am talking about 😃

a white plate with rice and meatballs on it

Simple Ingredients Needed

  1. Canned Pineapple Chunks in Juice : You can also use pineapple tidbits if you prefer; although, keep in mind that because of the longer cook time, the smaller tidbits will be much softer after the slow cook time is done. Or if you prefer no chunky texture, use a can of crushed pineapple that has been processed in a blender or food processor until smooth. 
  2. Honey
  3. Soy Sauce : Regular soy sauce or reduced-sodium soy sauce will both work well in the recipe. It just depends on salt preference and dietary needs. The longer slow cook time does tend to mute flavors so I like to use regular salted soy sauce in the crock pot. 
  4. Rice Wine Vinegar
  5. Ketchup
  6. Frozen Homestyle Meatballs : Feel free to use any variety of frozen meatballs such as turkey meatballs, chicken meatballs, or beef meatballs. I recommend not using Italian meatballs because of the added Italian seasonings in them, which won’t pair well with the sweet and sour sauce ingredients. Use frozen meatballs that are labeled as ‘homestyle’ on the packaging. 
  7. Water + Cornstarch : Combining these two will thicken the sauce for serving. 
  8. Green Onions : This is an optional garnish for the meatballs. 
Ingredients

How To Make Sweet & Sour Crockpot Meatballs (Printable Full Recipe Below)

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 until combined. Place meatballs into the slow cooker and stir well until all the meatballs are coated in some sauce. 

process images

Cover with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 4-6 hours. 

In a small bowl, add the cornstarch and water. Mix with a fork until it’s combined. Pour it into the crockpot and let it cook and thicken for an additional 30 minutes. If needed, turn the crockpot to HIGH heat to help thicken things quicker. 

process images
process images

Sprinkle the meatballs with sliced green onions (if using) and serve the sweet and sour meatballs over a bed of cooked white rice. 

process images
process images

How To Store Leftovers

Any leftover meatballs and sauce should be stored in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to 4 days. 

  • To Reheat : Place meatballs and sauce inside a pan, over medium-low heat, and until heated through. You can reheat the meatballs from frozen, thawed, or chilled from the fridge. 
  • To Freeze : Once completely cooled to room temperature, transfer the meatballs and sauce to a freezer-safe Ziplock bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Be sure and squeeze out the extra air if using a Ziplock bag. 

What Are Some Substitutions I Can Make?

  1. Pineapple Chunks : If wanted, use fresh pineapple + 1 cup of pineapple juice. 
  2. Soy Sauce : Coconut aminos or Tamara are excellent alternatives. 
  3. Honey : Light brown sugar or agave nectar can also be used in place of honey. Or use half honey + half brown sugar (this is something I like to do sometimes). 
  4. Rice Wine Vinegar : Apple cider vinegar is the closest comparison to rice vinegar. 
  5. Frozen Meatballs : If you prefer, use homemade meatballs instead of store-bought frozen meatballs. Make sure they are precooked, like the frozen ones, before using. 
final hero square shot of the slow cooker meatball recipe
final hero square shot of the slow cooker meatball recipe

Serving Suggestions

  • My family prefers these meatballs served over cooked white rice. The rice does an excellent job of soaking up all that delicious sauce! For a tropical twist you can serve it over some Coconut Rice.
  • Serve the meatballs alongside some Hawaiian Macaroni Salad like they serve at Hawaiian restaurants on the lunch plates.
  • Try serving the meatballs over some Fried Rice or cauliflower rice. 

Recipe FAQ’s

Can I Make This Recipe Spicier?

Yes! Try adding some cayenne red pepper, chili flakes, or chop up some spicy peppers such as jalapeño or Serrano peppers depending on your heat level preference. 

If I Want Tender Meatballs, Should I Cook Them Longer?

No, unlike other crockpot meals, cooking meatballs for longer does not make them more tender. At a certain point, it will cause the meat to release more of its moisture (the meatballs will expand larger in size) and could cause them to be chewy. I find that 4-5 hours on LOW heat is perfect when using frozen meatballs. 

How Do I Keep The Meatballs From Drying Out?

The best way to keep them from drying out is to not overcook them. You want them to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. The benefit of using the crockpot at a low temperature and slow pace is that it helps keep them from overcooking or cooking too fast. 

Can I Cook Them On High Heat?

I don’t recommend cooking this recipe on high heat because it will cook the meatballs too quickly, which I find results in tough and chewier meatballs. Low and slow is the best way to go when using a slow cooker. You can of course cook them on high heat, but reduce the cook time to 2-3 hours. 

Can I Add Bell Peppers?

Traditionally, sweet and sour has bell peppers in it so if that’s something you love then go ahead and add some. Use any color bell pepper, such as a green pepper or red pepper, that has been cut into large chunks. Add them to the slow cooker along with the meatballs.

final hero square shot of the slow cooker meatball recipe

More Meatball Recipes

A wooden spoon with some meatballs and sauce on it

Try These Other Slow Cooker Meals

A hero shot of the meatballs up close with sweet and sour sauce and green onions.
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Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs


Author Jessica – Together as Family
Course Crock Pot, Dinner
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 5 minutes
Servings 6
Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a quick & easy slow cooker recipe that starts with frozen meatballs! Meatballs and pineapple cook in a homemade sweet and sour sauce right in the crockpot. Serve over rice for a yummy, family favorite, and easy weeknight meal.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks in 100% juice (do not drain)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen homestyle meatballs
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • sliced green onions (optional garnish)

Instructions

  • 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 until combined.
    1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks in 100% juice, 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • Place meatballs into the slow cooker and stir well until all the meatballs are coated in some sauce. 
    1 bag (32 oz) frozen homestyle meatballs
  • Cover with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 4-6 hours. 
  • In a small bowl, add the water and cornstarch. Mix with a fork until it's combined. Pour it into the crockpot and let it cook and thicken for an additional 30 minutes.
    *If needed, turn the crockpot to HIGH heat to help thicken things quicker. 
    1/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Sprinkle the meatballs with sliced green onions (if using) and serve the sweet and sour meatballs over a bed of cooked white rice.
    sliced green onions

Notes

Meatballs : I prefer using the Great Value brand Homestyle Meatballs in this recipe. The meatballs do a really good job of keeping their size and not expanding huge in the slow cooker. Use homestyle meatballs and not Italian meatballs. 
Cornstarch Slurry : If you don’t want the sauce too thick then just omit this entirely. 
Tip : If you want more sauce when the cook time is done then try adding 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of chicken broth and/or pineapple juice (can buy it in cans in the juice aisle). Once you add the cornstarch slurry, it will be a thicker sauce but you’ll have more sauce if wanted for serving. 

Nutrition

Calories: 561kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 650mg | Potassium: 594mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg
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