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 sauce to tangy perfection. The meatballs are juicy and tender, and the sauce is golden and irresistible. Serve them over mashed potatoes or rice for a comforting dinner. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Classic Split Pea Soup Recipe Perfect for Cozy Dinners and Easy Caramel Apple Slices with Chocolate Drizzle Recipe.

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 turkey or beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Optional: Green onions, chopped
• Optional: Sesame seeds
• Optional: Chopped peanuts

How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into 1-inch meatballs.
2. Step 2: Place meatballs in the slow cooker. In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour sauce over meatballs.
3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until meatballs are cooked through and tender. Serve over rice or noodles and garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and chopped peanuts if desired.

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 prepared up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge until ready to cook.

Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

Freeze cooked meatballs for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a quicker version, cook meatballs in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, then simmer in the sauce on the stovetop for 10-15 minutes.
• Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey or beef for ground chicken or pork.
• Make-ahead: Meatballs can be frozen raw or cooked. See storage notes for details.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your needs.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too tangy, add a pinch of sugar. If it's too sweet, add a splash of vinegar.

Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

⏱

Prep

20 minutes

🍳

Cook

6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)

⏳

Total

6 hours 20 minutes (low) or 3 hours 20 minutes (high)

🍽

Serves

4-6 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free, Low-carb

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey or beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Seasonings

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional Toppings

• Green onions, chopped
• Sesame seeds
• Chopped peanuts

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into 1-inch meatballs.
2. Step 2: Place meatballs in the slow cooker. In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour sauce over meatballs.
3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until meatballs are cooked through and tender. Serve over rice or noodles and garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and chopped peanuts if desired.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a quicker version, cook meatballs in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, then simmer in the sauce on the stovetop for 10-15 minutes.
• Best substitution: Substitute ground turkey or beef for ground chicken or pork.
• Make-ahead: Meatballs can be frozen raw or cooked. See storage notes for details.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to suit your needs.
• Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too tangy, add a pinch of sugar. If it's too sweet, add a splash of vinegar.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
• Make ahead: Meatballs can be formed and sauce prepared up to 1 day ahead. Store separately in the fridge until ready to cook.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 270
• Protein: 22g
• Fat: 10g
• Carbs: 20g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 14g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Cholesterol: 70mg
• 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

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!