Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

What’s the one party appetizer that disappears almost the second it hits the table? For many, it’s those irresistibly sticky, tangy, and perfectly tender meatballs simmering away in a slow cooker. You might think the secret lies in a complex, multi-ingredient sauce, but what if I told you the magic comes from just two surprisingly simple pantry staples?

This recipe for Sweet and Sour Meatballs is your ultimate go-to for effortless entertaining or a super easy weeknight meal. Tender, homemade beef meatballs are quickly broiled for flavor and texture, then slow-cooked in a ridiculously simple but incredibly delicious sauce made from chili sauce and grape jelly. Yes, you read that right! Get ready to discover the addictive power of this retro classic.

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients for maximum flavor with minimal fuss. The two-ingredient sauce is a classic for a reason!

Ingredient	Amount/Quantity
Lean Ground Beef (90% lean)	2 pounds
Large Eggs	2
Plain Breadcrumbs	½ cup
Yellow Onion, finely diced	¼ cup
Kosher Salt	1 teaspoon
Black Pepper, freshly ground	½ teaspoon
Garlic Powder	½ teaspoon
Bottled Chili Sauce	1 (12-ounce) bottle (Heinz recommended)
Grape Jelly	1 ½ cups
Fresh Parsley, chopped	2 tablespoons (for garnish)

this now & bake later ❤️

Timing

The beauty of this recipe is the hands-off slow cooking time. A little prep upfront yields hours of simmering deliciousness.

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 3 hours 10 minutes (Broil + Slow Cook)
• Total Time: Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create perfectly tender meatballs coated in an addictive sweet and tangy sauce.

Step 1 – Prep For Broiling

First, position an oven rack about 6 inches below the broiler element and preheat your broiler. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat it generously with non-stick cooking spray.

• Actionable Tip: Lining the pan with foil and spraying it is crucial! It prevents the meatballs from sticking and makes cleanup incredibly easy – no scrubbing required.

Step 2 – Mix The Meatball Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, finely diced onion, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Use your hands or a fork to mix just until the ingredients are incorporated.

• Actionable Tip: Do not overmix! Overworking the meat mixture will result in tough, dense meatballs. Mix only until everything is just combined for the most tender result.

Step 3 – Shape The Meatballs

Roll the meat mixture into uniform 1-inch balls. You should get approximately 32 meatballs. Place the shaped meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.

• Actionable Tip: Using a small cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) is a great way to ensure all your meatballs are roughly the same size, which helps them cook evenly.

Step 4 – Broil Until Golden

Place the sheet pan under the preheated broiler. Broil for 8-10 minutes, watching closely, until the tops of the meatballs are nicely golden brown. They don’t need to be cooked through completely at this stage.

• Actionable Tip: Broiling the meatballs before adding them to the slow cooker gives them great color, develops flavor, and helps render some fat, preventing the sauce from becoming greasy.

Step 5 – Make The Magic Sauce

While the meatballs are broiling, prepare the sauce. Place the grape jelly in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until it is completely melted and smooth. Alternatively, melt the jelly gently in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.

• Actionable Tip: Melting the jelly first ensures it combines smoothly with the chili sauce, creating a uniform glaze without any lumps.

Step 6 – Combine Sauce Ingredients

Pour the chili sauce into the bowl with the melted grape jelly. Whisk the two ingredients together until they are completely combined and the sauce is smooth and glossy.

• Actionable Tip: Taste the sauce at this point if you like, but remember the flavor will deepen and meld with the meatballs as it slow cooks.

Step 7 – Add to Slow Cooker

Lightly coat the insert of your slow cooker with cooking spray. Carefully transfer the browned meatballs from the baking sheet into the slow cooker. Pour the prepared chili sauce-grape jelly mixture evenly over the meatballs. Gently toss to ensure all the meatballs are coated.

• Actionable Tip: Spraying the slow cooker insert helps prevent the sugary sauce from sticking and burning during the long cooking time.

Step 8 – Slow Cook To Perfection

Secure the lid on the slow cooker and set it to cook on the LOW setting for 3 hours. During this time, the meatballs will become incredibly tender and absorb the delicious sweet and tangy flavor of the sauce, which will also thicken slightly. Just before serving, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.

Nutritional Information

This is an estimate for a serving of approximately 4 meatballs with sauce. Please note values are approximate and will vary based on specific ingredients used.

• Calories: 350 kcal
• Protein: 25 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Sugar: 25 g

Healthier Alternatives

This classic recipe is an indulgence, but you can make a few swaps to lighten it up.

• Leaner Meat: Substitute the 90% lean ground beef with 93% lean ground beef or even ground turkey for a lower-fat option.
• Low-Sugar Options: Look for low-sugar or sugar-free versions of grape jelly and chili sauce. Note that this will alter the classic flavor profile.
• Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs: Swap traditional breadcrumbs for whole wheat breadcrumbs to add a little extra fiber.

Serving Suggestions

These Sweet and Sour Meatballs are incredibly versatile and perfect for any occasion.

• Classic Party Appetizer: Keep them warm in the slow cooker on the “Warm” setting and serve directly from the pot with toothpicks or small forks for easy party grabbing. They are always a crowd-pleaser!
• Weeknight Dinner Hero: Serve the meatballs and sauce over a bed of fluffy white rice, egg noodles, or creamy mashed potatoes for a quick, satisfying, and family-friendly meal.
• Slider Sensation: Pile a few meatballs onto small slider buns for fun and delicious mini sandwiches.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

For perfect meatballs every time, steer clear of these simple missteps.

• Overmixing the Meat: As mentioned before, this leads to tough meatballs. Solution: Mix gently and only until the ingredients are just combined.
• Skipping the Broiling Step: While you can add raw meatballs to the slow cooker, they won’t have the same color, texture, or depth of flavor. Solution: Don’t skip broiling! It adds minimal effort but maximum flavor and improved texture.
• Cooking on High: Slow cooking on low allows the meatballs to become perfectly tender and absorb the sauce without drying out. Solution: Stick to the low setting for the best results, even if it takes longer.

Storing Tips

Leftovers (if you have any!) are fantastic and reheat beautifully.

• Refrigerate: Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Let the meatballs cool completely, then transfer them to freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen meatballs overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, in the microwave, or back in the slow cooker on the “Warm” or “Low” setting until heated through.

Conclusion

This Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe is a timeless classic for a reason – it’s incredibly easy, uses minimal ingredients, and delivers an addictively delicious result every single time. Perfect for game days, potlucks, holiday parties, or even just a simple weeknight dinner, these tender meatballs in their tangy glaze are guaranteed to disappear fast. It’s comfort food at its easiest and most crowd-pleasing!

We hope you love this simple and delicious recipe! If you try it out, please let us know in the comments how it turned out for you! We’d love to hear your feedback. Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe to our blog for more easy, crowd-pleasing dishes.

FAQs

Q1. Can I use frozen meatballs instead of making them from scratch?

Yes, you can absolutely use pre-cooked frozen meatballs for an even quicker version! Skip the broiling step and simply add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker, pour the sauce over top, and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the meatballs are heated through.

Q2. Can I use a different kind of jelly?

While grape jelly is the traditional choice for this specific recipe, you can experiment! Some people enjoy using apricot preserves or even cranberry sauce (especially around the holidays) for a different flavor profile.

Q3. Can I make these Sweet and Sour Meatballs on the stovetop?

Yes! After broiling the meatballs, place them in a large pot or Dutch oven. Pour the sauce over them, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let them simmer gently for at least 30-45 minutes, or until heated through and the sauce has slightly thickened.

Q4. What kind of chili sauce should I use?

The recipe recommends Heinz chili sauce, which is the classic choice and provides the expected flavor profile. It’s a tomato-based condiment found near the ketchup in most grocery stores, distinct from Asian sweet chili sauce or spicy chili garlic sauce.

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