Looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that’s perfect for parties, family dinners, or even game days? These Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a winner every time! With a flavorful sauce combining sweet pineapple, brown sugar, and a splash of tangy vinegar, this dish brings a classic takeout flavor to your kitchen—all with minimal effort thanks to the slow cooker. Just set it, forget it, and get ready for deliciously tender meatballs infused with a sweet and sour kick.

Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs

This recipe uses frozen meatballs, which saves tons of prep time and ensures they hold up well while soaking up all those incredible flavors. You’ll simply layer meatballs, green peppers, and pineapple chunks in the crockpot, then pour over a sauce you can whip up in minutes. By the time you’re ready to serve, everything will be perfectly tender and coated in a thick, sticky sauce that’s irresistible.

For anyone who loves a bit of versatility, these sweet and sour meatballs are also easy to customize! Want a bit more kick? Add a dash of hot sauce to the mix. Serve them with rice or noodles for a meal, or pop in toothpicks for an easy appetizer. And if you love bite-sized snacks, consider trying a batch of sweet and sour meatball bites next time—they’re just as delicious and fun to eat!

What You Will Love About This Recipe

Someone will love this Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe because it’s the ultimate combination of ease and flavor. The hands-off slow cooker method means you can prep it and let it cook while you go about your day, making it perfect for busy schedules or entertaining. The balance of sweet pineapple and brown sugar with a tangy vinegar and soy sauce twist creates a mouthwatering sauce that turns simple meatballs into a dish bursting with flavor. Plus, the recipe is versatile enough to serve as an appetizer, party snack, or even a full meal over rice—ideal for gatherings, family dinners, or cozy nights in!

How to make crockpot sweet and sour meatballs

Drain the pineapple juice from your can of pineapple chunks, set aside in a bowl.
Place meatballs into your pot.

Place green peppers & pineapple chunks over the top of the meatballs.

To your bowl of pineapple juice, add brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, & cornstarch. Whisk to combine well.

Pour sauce over your meatballs.
Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours. Then switch to HIGH for 1 hour. Or cook on LOW for 4-5 hours.

Tips & Tricks

Choose Your Meatballs Wisely: For the best texture, go with beef or turkey meatballs. Pre-cooked frozen meatballs save time, but you can use homemade meatballs too; just brown them first so they stay together.
Adjust Sweetness and Tanginess: If you prefer a little less sweetness, reduce the brown sugar slightly, or add an extra splash of vinegar for a tangier flavor. It’s easy to customize the sauce to match your taste.
Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: The cornstarch thickens the sauce to coat the meatballs well. Make sure to mix it thoroughly with the pineapple juice before adding it to avoid any lumps.
Perfect for Meal Prep: These meatballs reheat well and taste even better the next day! Make a big batch and store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or freeze for up to three months.
Try with Different Peppers: Switch up the flavor with red or yellow bell peppers for added color and sweetness, or even throw in some onions or broccoli to add more texture to the dish!

Can I make my own meatballs?

Yes, you can make your own meatballs for this recipe. You can actually use my slow cooker Sweedish meatball recipe all the way up to the step of adding the other ingredients into the crockpot. Then follow this recipe as directed.

FAQs

Yes, homemade meatballs work well in this recipe! Just be sure to brown them on the stovetop first to help them hold their shape in the slow cooker.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave until heated through or warm on the stovetop over low heat. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months.

Yes! Red or yellow bell peppers, onions, and even broccoli are great additions. They’ll add color and a variety of flavors to the dish.

For a less sweet taste, reduce the brown sugar slightly. For a tangier sauce, add an extra splash of vinegar. It’s easy to adjust to your preference!

You sure can! Simmer everything in a large pot over medium-low heat for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce has thickened.

Freezer

This recipe will freeze nicely. You will want to let it completely cool and then you will want to pour your sauce and meatballs in an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze.

When you are ready to reheat place in the fridge overnight to thaw. I recommend reheating them on the stove.

Ready for more crockpot favorites? Try these!

Crockpot Tortellini Soup

Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Crockpot Chicken Teriyaki

Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Name: Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 5 min
Ingredients: 1 (28 oz) Bag of Frozen Meatballs; 1 (20 oz) can Pineapple Chunks; 1 Green Pepper, chopped; 1 Cup Brown Sugar; 2/3 Cup White Vinegar; 2 TBSP Soy Sauce; 3 TBSP Cornstarch

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours

Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes

Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs are incredibly easy to make and delicious to eat as it combines meatballs, pineapple, and peppers in a savory homemade sweet and sour sauce that is a crowd favorite every single time.

Ingredients

1 (28 oz) Bag of Frozen Meatballs
1 (20 oz) can Pineapple Chunks
1 Green Pepper, chopped
1 Cup Brown Sugar
2/3 Cup White Vinegar
2 TBSP Soy Sauce
3 TBSP Cornstarch

Instructions

Drain the juice from the pineapple chunks and set aside in a bowl.
Place the meatballs in the bottom of your crockpot.
Place green pepper pieces and pineapple chunks on top of the meatballs.
Add to your pineapple juice, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, & cornstarch. Mix well to combine.
Pour sauce over the meatballs.
Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours, switch to HIGH for 1 last hour. or cook on LOW for 4-5 hours.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 195Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 365mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 1gSugar: 36gProtein: 2g

Melissa

I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!

Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs