Meatballs, pineapple, and peppers slow cooked in a tangy sweet and sour glaze.
The meatballs, the peppers, and the big chunks of pineapple (my personal favorite) all come together in a delicious sweet and tangy sauce that thickens right in your slow cooker. I’m telling you, this meal practically makes itself!
You can use any kind of sweet or bell peppers you have handy. I’ve diced up bell peppers to use in this recipe, but I love grabbing a bag of the little sweet peppers and slicing them up for this meal. They just look so pretty, and taste so good! 
I also like to use frozen meatballs in this dish for convenience sake, but you could certainly make your own. Just make sure they are fully cooked before you add them to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients.
We serve this over rice with a sprinkling of green onions for garnish, but pasta is another delicious option. I hope you love this easy slow cooker meal as much as my family and I do!
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Easy Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
Let your slow cooker do the work with these effortless sweet and sour meatballs. A perfect appetizer for parties or an easy main course over rice.
Ingredients
- 2 dozen frozen meatballs
- 1 20 ounce (567g) can pineapple chunks,drained and juices reserved
- 3/4 cup (177ml) packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons (44ml) cornstarch
- 1/4 cup (59ml) white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons (44ml) soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 cups (473ml) diced sweet peppers
- Hot cooked rice (for serving)
- Sliced green onion (for garnish (optional))
Instructions
- Place meatballs in a lightly greased slow cooker. Drain juice from canned pineapple into a glass measuring cup. Add enough water to equal 1 1/2 cups (355 ml).
- Add brown sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, salt, and pepper (to taste) to the water/pineapple juice mixture and whisk to combine. Pour over the meatballs in the slow cooker.
- Add drained pineapple chunks and diced sweet peppers to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve over hot cooked rice. Garnish with sliced green onion, if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian-American
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh meatballs instead of frozen for this recipe?
Yes, you can use fresh meatballs, but make sure they are fully cooked before adding them to the slow cooker.
What types of peppers can I use in the Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs?
You can use any kind of sweet or bell peppers, and little sweet peppers work particularly well for their flavor and appearance.
How do I thicken the sweet and sour sauce in the slow cooker?
The sauce will thicken naturally as it cooks; just ensure you don’t open the lid too often, as this can release steam and prolong the cooking process.
