Sweet and Sour Crock Pot Meatballs (Printable)

Frozen meatballs in tangy peach preserves sauce, slow-cooked to perfection. Effortless party appetizer or dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meatballs

01 - 2 pounds frozen fully cooked meatballs

→ Sauce

02 - 1 cup peach or apricot preserves
03 - 1/2 cup ketchup
04 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
05 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
06 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Optional Garnishes

10 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
11 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together peach or apricot preserves, ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, ground ginger, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
02 - Place frozen meatballs into a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker. Pour prepared sauce over meatballs and gently toss until evenly coated.
03 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours until meatballs are heated through and sauce is bubbly, or alternatively cook on HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours.
04 - Gently stir meatballs before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve warm as an appetizer with toothpicks or over rice as a main dish.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Effortless Prep: Only takes 5 minutes to whisk the sauce and start the crock pot.
  • Crowd-Pleaser: The perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors that both kids and adults enjoy.
  • Versatile: Works beautifully as a handheld appetizer or served as a full meal over rice.
  • Dairy-Free: A great option for those with dairy sensitivities.
02 -
  • Gentle Mixing: Use a wooden spoon to toss the meatballs gently so they don't break apart while cooking.
  • Sauce Prep: If your preserves are very chunky, you can pulse the sauce in a blender briefly for a more uniform glaze.
  • Keep it Warm: If serving at a party, stir the meatballs occasionally to keep the sauce from settling and to keep the top layer moist.
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