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Sweet and Sour Meatballs in the Slow Cooker Recipe

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4.2 from 3 reviews

These easy slow cooker sweet and sour meatballs combine frozen meatballs with a tangy homemade sauce made from pineapple juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or as party appetizers, they require minimal prep and let the slow cooker do all the work. Serve them over steamed rice for a delicious and comforting meal.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks in juice (not syrup)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Fresh cracked pepper to taste

Main Ingredients

  • 26–32 ounce bag frozen meatballs
  • Steamed rice for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sauce: In a slow cooker, whisk together the pineapple juice from the can, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, cornstarch, garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly cracked pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  2. Add Meatballs: Add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker and stir to coat them evenly with the sauce, ensuring each meatball is submerged in the mixture.
  3. Cook: Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours, or on low for 4 to 5 hours, allowing the meatballs to heat through fully and the sauce to thicken and blend flavors.
  4. Add Pineapple Chunks: Stir in the pineapple chunks from the can just before serving to incorporate their sweetness and texture without overcooking them.
  5. Serve: Spoon the sweet and sour meatballs over steamed white rice and enjoy a comforting, flavorful meal perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests.

Notes

  • You can use any size meatballs you prefer, adjusting cook time slightly if needed.
  • For a thicker sauce, you can increase cornstarch to 3 tablespoons.
  • Serve with steamed vegetables or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
  • Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To keep this recipe gluten-free, ensure soy sauce used is gluten-free certified.
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/sweet-and-sour-meatballs-in-the-slow-cooker-recipe/