Description
This Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe delivers a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors with tender meatballs simmered alongside bell peppers and pineapple chunks. It’s an easy, hands-off meal ideal for busy days and pairs wonderfully with white rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (28 oz) bag frozen meatballs
- 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks
- 1 green bell pepper, roughly chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Drain the pineapple juice from the can of pineapple chunks into a bowl and reserve it for the sauce. Roughly chop the green and red bell peppers into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Place the frozen meatballs into the slow cooker. Top them evenly with the drained pineapple chunks and chopped bell peppers.
- Make the Sauce: To the reserved pineapple juice, add brown sugar, white vinegar, ketchup, cornstarch, and soy sauce. Whisk everything thoroughly until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth.
- Cook: Pour the prepared sauce over the meatballs and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on low heat for 5 hours to allow flavors to meld and meatballs to soften. Alternatively, cook on high heat for 3 hours if short on time.
- Serve: Once cooked, stir the meatballs and sauce gently to coat everything evenly. Serve hot, ideally over cooked white rice for a complete meal. Enjoy your sweet and sour meatballs!
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, uncover the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate.
- If soy sauce is unavailable, tamari or coconut aminos can be used as a gluten-free substitute.
- You can add chopped onions or garlic for extra flavor if desired.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute meatballs with plant-based meatballs and ensure the sauce ingredients meet vegetarian requirements.
