📋 Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
These Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a family favorite and super easy recipe that's perfect as a holiday side, potluck or any evening dinner. Put it all in the slow cooker, set it and forget it!
Servings 30 large (1 .5 inch) meatballs
Calories 107kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 lb extra lean ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¾ cup fine bread crumbs
Sweet & Sour Sauce
- 1 ½ cup water
- â…” cup white vinegar
- â…” cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoon soya sauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoon cold water
Garnish (optional)
- sesame seeds
- parsley flakes
Instructions
- Spray the inside of a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Meatballs
- In a large bowl, mix meatball ingredients together and form into balls (1.5 inches approximately.) Then place meatballs in the slow cooker.Â2 lb extra lean ground beef, 1 onion, finely chopped, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon oregano, ¾ cup fine bread crumbs
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Whisk sauce ingredients together in a separate bowl.1 ½ cup water, ⅔ cup white vinegar, ⅔ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoon soya sauce, 1 cup brown sugar
- Mix cornstarch and cold water together in a small bowl and add to sauce.2 teaspoon cornstarch, 2 teaspoon cold water
- Pour sauce over meatballs in slow cookerÂ
- Cook on low in slow cooker for 8 hours.* If sauce is still a little runny when done (it should be consistency of gravy) add 1 more teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with ½ teaspoon of water. You can keep adding more until you reach the desired consistency.Meatballs are ready when a thermometer inserted into the centre of the meatballs should read 165 degrees F/74 degrees C.
Garnish:
- Garnish with parsley flakes and sesame seeds, if desired.sesame seeds, parsley flakes
Notes
Expert Recipe Tips:
-
- Don’t Overmix the Meat. When mixing the meatball ingredients, be gentle! Overmixing can make the meatballs dense and tough instead of tender and juicy.
-
- Keep Meatballs Uniform in Size. For even cooking, make sure all meatballs are roughly the same size (about 1.5 inches). Using a cookie scoop helps with consistency.
-
- Use a Cornstarch Slurry for the Perfect Sauce. To avoid lumps, always mix cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the sauce. This ensures a smooth, thickened consistency.
-
- Cook on Low for the Best Texture. While you can cook on high for 4 hours, the meatballs turn out more tender and flavorful when cooked on low for 8 hours
-
- Make It Ahead for Easy Entertaining. Prepare and freeze the meatballs ahead of time, then just dump and cook on the day of your event—perfect for stress-free hosting!
-
- Add a Tangy Twist with Pineapple. For extra sweetness and a tropical touch, toss in some pineapple chunks during the last hour of cooking.
-
- Avoid Overcrowding the Slow Cooker. If doubling the recipe, ensure your slow cooker is big enough (at least 6-7 quarts) to allow the sauce to coat the meatballs evenly.
-
- Enhance the Flavor with Fresh Ingredients. Freshly minced garlic, ginger, or a splash of rice vinegar can elevate the sauce’s depth of flavor.
-
- Garnish for a Finishing Touch. Top with sesame seeds and chopped fresh parsley or green onions for a pop of color and added texture before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1meatball | Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 190mg | Potassium: 167mg | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1.3mg
