Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs — Tender meatballs simmered in a tangy, sweet sauce. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to keeping them moist is to cook them on low. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions and Refreshing Guava White Tea Lemonade Copycat Recipe.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Tender meatballs in a perfectly balanced sauce
- Easy, hands-off cooking in the slow cooker
- Ready in under 3 hours, perfect for busy weeknights
What You'll Need for Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Green onions, chopped
- Optional: Sesame seeds
- Optional: Chopped cilantro
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef: You can also use ground turkey or chicken.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko or regular breadcrumbs work well.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Crock-Pot Slow Cooker — Even, consistent cooking for perfect meatballs every time. → See on Amazon
- Meat Thermometer — Ensures meatballs are cooked to a safe temperature. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
- Prepare meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well and form into 1-inch meatballs.
- Cook meatballs: Place meatballs in the slow cooker. In a bowl, whisk together ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over meatballs. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Thicken sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water. Stir into slow cooker. Cook for an additional 15-30 minutes, until sauce has thickened.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Overcooking can make meatballs dry. To prevent this, use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs reach 160°F (71°C).
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, brown the meatballs in a pan before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, prepare meatballs and sauce separately. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Combine and cook in the slow cooker when ready to serve.
Storing & Reheating Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Meatballs can be formed and sauce can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Freeze cooked meatballs and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Best substitution: Instead of ground pork, you can use ground turkey or chicken.
- Make-ahead: Meatballs and sauce can be made ahead and reheated in the slow cooker when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered on high for an additional 15-30 minutes to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
Slow Cooker Liners — Easy cleanup, no sticky residue. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Green onions, chopped
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well and form into 1-inch meatballs.
- Cook meatballs: Place meatballs in the slow cooker. In a bowl, whisk together ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over meatballs. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Thicken sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water. Stir into slow cooker. Cook for an additional 15-30 minutes, until sauce has thickened.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicier version, add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Best substitution: Instead of ground pork, you can use ground turkey or chicken.
- Make-ahead: Meatballs and sauce can be made ahead and reheated in the slow cooker when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered on high for an additional 15-30 minutes to reduce.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Meatballs can be formed and sauce can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Store separately in the fridge.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make the meatballs and sauce separately up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge and combine in the slow cooker when ready to serve.
Overcooking can make meatballs dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 160°F (71°C) and no more.
Yes, you can freeze cooked meatballs and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Yes, you can bake meatballs at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, then simmer in the sauce on the stovetop for 15-20 minutes.
These meatballs pair well with rice, noodles, or a side of steamed vegetables.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
