Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs are an easy favorite around here! The sauce and the meatballs! Together, they are the perfect combination!
About once a month Ken, my husband, has friends over and they play cards and watch sports on the television. I always serve these Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs. Would you believe I make two slow cookers full and I never have any complaints or leftovers. I have tried making other things and I finally gave up. They love these meatballs and can't get enough of the sauce.
Being an active food blogger I always figured I would make the recipe, post it and serve it to all the guys at poker. After a few unsuccessful attempts at creating new and delicious recipes I realized that they love these Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs and I wasn't going to change their minds. That is what they expected and totally appreciated and it didn't matter how many other things I wanted to try, this is what they enjoyed most!
My husband kept saying it was like I kept trying to fix something that wasn't broken! I have to give him credit, every once and a while he is the voice of reason! Now, this is what I make, every time. This has been going on for years and they are still not sick of them! Unbelievable!
If you want to know how to make my Perfect Meatballs check out my recipe here. These meatballs can be used for anything and everything. This is definitely my go to meatball recipe and it will be yours too once you give it a try! Well I think so!
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- ketchup
- Diana's Original Barbecue Sauce
- brown sugar
- worcestershire sauce
- hot sauce
- dijon mustard
How to make Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
In a medium bowl, mix together brown sugar, ketchup, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and mustard. Taste mixture and adjust it to your liking.
If you are making meatballs from scratch check out our recipe for the Perfect Meatballs. I make them and bake them for 20 minutes at 350 degrees before I put them in to the slow cooker. My meatballs are about 2 inches in size. They are the meatballs I always make with this sauce. If you do not feel like making our meatball recipe then you can make your own or buy frozen.
Place prepared or frozen meatballs in your slow cooker and pour sauce over them. Stir so all meatballs are coated evenly. Cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. If you are using large frozen meatballs you may have to cook them longer. Check one before serving. Use either as an appetizer, snack or serve over rice as a meal! Enjoy!
This is the link to our recipe for the Perfect Meatballs! You have to check it out!
Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Video
Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tblsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 to 5 dashes hot sauce
- 2 tblsp Dijon mustard
- 2 ½ pounds meatballs
- ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped, if desired
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir together the ketchup, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and Dijon mustard until well combined. Taste and adjust the hot sauce as desired.
- If using homemade meatballs, prepare and bake them at 350°F for 20 minutes before adding them to the slow cooker. You can also use prepared or frozen meatballs.
- Place the meatballs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over them. Stir gently until all the meatballs are evenly coated.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Larger frozen meatballs may need additional cooking time. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve as an appetizer or snack, or over rice for a meal.
Video
Notes
- If the sauce is thinner than you'd like, cook the meatballs uncovered on high for 20-30 minutes to let some of the liquid evaporate. For a quicker fix, stir in a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
- Try to open the slow cooker only once, or twice if absolutely necessary. Each time you lift the lid, heat and steam escape, which can increase the cooking time.
- You can cook the meatballs on high, but I prefer the gentler cooking of the low setting. If using high, cook for about 2 hours, then switch the slow cooker to warm for serving.
Nutrition
Marsha says
These meatballs are delicious. These are now my goto. Only made the recipe twice but I cant wait to make them again to store in my freezer. Thank you for this great recipe
Karin and Ken says
As always you're most welcome. We use this recipe all the time and just love it. Glad you do too. All the best. Karin
Anonymous says
Thank u! Been looking for meatball recipe...a delicious one..and came across your site. I also took down recipe for sweet n sour...making for New Year's Eve. You are very through...I like it. Thank u so much and Happy New Year to you fellas.
Karin and Ken says
So glad to hear! You really made my day! We love this recipe! Please let us know what you think of the sweet and sour sauce. It is one of our favorites! Take care and all the best. Karin