Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the balance of sweet and sour. The result? Irresistible meatballs that will make your house smell amazing. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Classic Italian Cream Bombs Filled with Vanilla Custard and Easy Egg Roll in a Bowl with Ground Turkey and Cabbage.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- Tender meatballs in a tangy sauce
- Easy, hands-off cooking
- Better than takeout taste
- 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.
- Ground turkey
- Breadcrumbs
- Egg
- Onion
- Garlic
- Ketchup
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Vinegar
- Pineapple juice
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Optional: Green onions
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Ground turkey: You can also use ground beef or pork.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow cooker — Hands-off cooking for tender meatballs → See on Amazon
- Meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked meatballs → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
- Prepare meatballs: Mix ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Form into 1-inch meatballs.
- Cook meatballs: Place meatballs in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
- Prepare sauce: Mix ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and pineapple juice. Pour over meatballs.
- Cook sauce: Cook on low for 1-2 more hours, stirring occasionally.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
- : For extra flavor, sear meatballs in a pan before adding to the slow cooker.
- Common mistake and fix: If sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or chicken broth.
- : Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a slight kick.
Storing & Reheating Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Meatballs can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen. Add to sauce and cook as directed.
Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Freeze cooked meatballs for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir into the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute ground chicken for ground turkey.
- Make-ahead: Meatballs can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen. Add to sauce and cook as directed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If meatballs are falling apart, add more breadcrumbs to the mixture.
Want to level up this recipe?
Non-stick skillet — Easy cleanup and even cooking for searing meatballs → Check price on Amazon
Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Breadcrumbs
- Egg
- Onion
- Garlic
- Ketchup
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Vinegar
- Pineapple juice
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
Optional Toppings
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare meatballs: Mix ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Form into 1-inch meatballs.
- Cook meatballs: Place meatballs in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
- Prepare sauce: Mix ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and pineapple juice. Pour over meatballs.
- Cook sauce: Cook on low for 1-2 more hours, stirring occasionally.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir into the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute ground chicken for ground turkey.
- Make-ahead: Meatballs can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen. Add to sauce and cook as directed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If meatballs are falling apart, add more breadcrumbs to the mixture.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Meatballs can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen. Add to sauce and cook as directed.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe FAQs
Yes, meatballs can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen. Add to sauce and cook as directed.
If sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or chicken broth.
Yes, bake meatballs at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, then proceed with the sauce recipe.
Serve with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a slight kick.
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!
