• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Dinner at the Zoo

  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • One Pot Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Asian Food

Home » Appetizers » Sweet and Sour Meatballs (Slow Cooker)

February 18, 2019 By Sara 59 Comments

Sweet and Sour Meatballs (Slow Cooker)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

These sweet and sour meatballs are homemade meatballs that are cooked in the crock pot with a two ingredient sauce. The perfect main course or party appetizer that always gets rave reviews!

You can never go wrong with meatballs, whether it’s a cheesy meatball bake, Mexican meatball soup, or these super easy cocktail style meatballs. I make these for every party and they’re always the first thing to disappear!

Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe | Slow Cooker Meatballs | Crockpot Meatballs | Cocktail Meatballs #meatballs #beef #slowcooker #crockpot #dinner #appetizer #dinneratthezoo Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe | Slow Cooker Meatballs | Crockpot Meatballs | Cocktail Meatballs #meatballs #beef #slowcooker #crockpot #dinner #appetizer #dinneratthezoo

A bowl of sweet and sour meatballs with a cocktail fork in it.

In my opinion, you can never have too many meatball recipes! These slow cooker sweet and sour meatballs couldn’t be any easier, and they’re one of my favorite snacks to serve at gatherings. These meatballs are also great served as a main course over rice or mashed potatoes with a vegetable side.

How do you make sweet and sour meatballs?

This recipe starts with homemade meatballs, which are a combination of lean ground beef, breadcrumbs, seasonings, onion and egg. The meat mixture is rolled into balls, then broiled until browned. The meatballs go into a crock pot along with a two ingredient sauce of grape jelly and chili sauce. Let everything simmer together for a while, and then you’ll be ready to eat!

Ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs and seasonings in a bowl.

Tips for sweet and sour meatballs

  • Make sure to mince your onion finely so that there aren’t large chunks in the meatballs. Alternatively, you could grate the onion.
  • You can make your meatballs as big or as small as you like. I typically go for meatballs that are about 1 inch in diameter.
  • I typically make these meatballs with 90% lean ground beef, but you could use ground turkey or ground pork if you prefer.
  • In a hurry? You can use frozen pre-cooked meatballs instead of homemade meatballs, but I recommend going for the homemade meatballs.
  • The meatballs can be cooked up to 2 days before you plan to make this recipe. You can also make a double batch of the meatballs and freeze some for later use.

Homemade meatballs on a sheet pan.

How do you make sweet and sour sauce?

In this particular case, the sweet and sour sauce is made with grape jelly and chili sauce, which are whisked together then poured over the meatballs. If you’d rather use an Asian style sweet and sour sauce, you can use the sauce in this recipe.

Meatballs in a slow cooker coated in sweet and sour sauce.

What is chili sauce?

Chili sauce is a thick red condiment similar to ketchup but with a bit of a spicy kick. These meatballs clock in on the mild side of the heat scale, because the sweetness of the jelly tempers the bit of heat from the chili sauce. If you’re adverse to any type of spice, you can substitute ketchup instead.

Sweet and sour meatballs garnished with parsley in a slow cooker.

Can you freeze sweet and sour meatballs?

This recipe is a great candidate for the freezer! You can freeze your meatballs with or without the sauce, them warm them through either in the slow cooker or on the stove top. Your sauce may have a thinner consistency upon thawing, so if you’d like a thicker sauce, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water to your pot, then simmer until thickened.

Once you try these easy meatballs, you’ll find yourself making them on a regular basis! No one will know how simple they are to make, but you’ll get plenty of compliments from family and friends.

More appetizer ideas

  • Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls
  • Crab Rangoon
  • Ham and Cheese Sliders
  • Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Buffalo Chicken Nuggets
A bowl of sweet and sour meatballs with a cocktail fork in it.
Print Pin
5 from 11 votes

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These sweet and sour meatballs are homemade meatballs that are cooked in the crock pot with a two ingredient sauce. The perfect main course or party appetizer that always gets rave reviews!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword cocktail meatballs, grape jelly meatballs, sweet and sour meatballs
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 366kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef I use 90% lean
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup onion finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 12 ounce bottle chili sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups grape jelly
  • 2 tablespoons parsley
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Preheat the broiler. Line a sheet pan with foil and coat the foil with cooking spray.
  • Place the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, onion, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a large bowl. Stir until thoroughly combined.
  • Shape the meat mixture into 1 inch meatballs and place the meatballs on the prepared pan.
  • Broil for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
  • While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the sauce.
  • Melt the grape jelly by microwaving it for 30 second increments or melting it in a saucepan over medium heat.
  • After the jelly has melted, whisk in the chili sauce.
  • Coat a slow cooker with cooking spray. Add the meatballs, then pour the sauce over the top. Toss to coat.
  • Cook for 3 hours on low. Sprinkle with parsley, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 366kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 620mg | Potassium: 611mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 435IU | Vitamin C: 14.1mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3.8mg

Filed Under: Appetizers, Dinner, Slow Cooker Tagged With: Ground Beef, Meatballs

Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!

« Baked Chicken Parmesan
King Ranch Chicken »

Comments

  1. Mary says

    October 30, 2020 at 11:17 pm

    Can I use sweet chili sauce instead of chili sauce

    Reply
    • Sara says

      October 31, 2020 at 9:59 pm

      Like the Asian style sweet chili?

      Reply
      • Stephanie says

        November 11, 2020 at 4:31 pm

        I’m wondering this exact thing! Yes the Asian style. Would it be too sweet?

        Reply
        • Sara says

          November 11, 2020 at 5:03 pm

          I personally think it would be too sweet!

          Reply
  2. Gretchen says

    October 15, 2020 at 4:58 am

    5 stars
    Made for my family for dinner last night! Followed the recipe to a “T”! Absolutely delicious! Served over white rice and broccoli on the side!

    Reply
  3. Judy says

    August 15, 2020 at 10:09 am

    I am curious to learn what grape jelly does for this recipe before I try it. Sweet & sour, I would think of maybe an apricot jelly or an orange marmalade…even maybe a peach. Has anyone tried grape vs apricot, orange or peach?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      August 16, 2020 at 11:57 am

      You could try a different jelly if you prefer, you just want something that’s a little tangy!

      Reply
  4. Angela says

    July 9, 2020 at 11:35 am

    Can you mix chop meat and chop pork together?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      July 10, 2020 at 11:40 am

      Yes that should be fine!

      Reply
  5. Neville Martin says

    March 2, 2020 at 8:34 pm

    Great recipe

    Reply
  6. Karen Elizabeth Boutilier says

    February 2, 2020 at 9:08 am

    Can you cook these in the oven Instead of a slow cooker?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      February 2, 2020 at 12:57 pm

      Yes that should be fine!

      Reply
  7. Kristi says

    January 11, 2020 at 9:02 am

    Could you use a raspberry Jelly?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      January 11, 2020 at 9:38 pm

      Yes but make sure it is seedless!

      Reply
  8. Jane says

    October 19, 2019 at 1:28 pm

    I have regular homemade meatballs in the freezer. Can I thaw these and reheat them in the two ingredient sauce of chili sauce and grape jelly to change the flavor of plain meatballs?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      October 19, 2019 at 6:49 pm

      Yes that should be fine!

      Reply
  9. kvh says

    October 13, 2019 at 3:03 pm

    tallyhomark, did you use the added the onion, green pepper and pineapple chunks drained to the sauce??

    Reply
  10. Diane says

    September 27, 2019 at 5:04 am

    How do you reheat the meatballs?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      September 27, 2019 at 9:03 am

      You can warm them on low in the crockpot or in a pan on the stove over low heat.

      Reply
  11. Susan says

    September 26, 2019 at 10:44 am

    5 stars
    I use finely sliced green onions in mine. Mom always put 2 tsp ground ginger in hers too. She used a different sauce, but she added green pepper and pineapple and would serve these over rice for dinner. So delicious!

    Reply
  12. Linda Zimmer says

    September 19, 2019 at 6:21 am

    Can I make ahead and freeze?

    Reply
    • Sara says

      September 19, 2019 at 11:26 am

      Yes that’s fine!

      Reply
  13. Pam R says

    September 13, 2019 at 8:25 am

    How many one inch meatballs does this yield?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Sara says

      September 13, 2019 at 7:12 pm

      Approximately 32 meatballs!

      Reply
  14. Jenn says

    August 23, 2019 at 12:31 pm

    What type of chili sauce? I feel like this could mean a million things.

    Reply
    • Sara says

      August 24, 2019 at 9:51 pm

      This chili sauce: https://www.heinz.com/product/00013000001120

      Reply
  15. Hailey says

    August 17, 2019 at 11:29 am

    Hi there! If cooking meatballs from frozen, what would be the crockpot time then?
    Thanks! Excited to try tomorrow!

    Reply
    • Sara says

      August 18, 2019 at 7:39 am

      You’d want to add another hour of cook time!

      Reply
  16. Debbie says

    July 29, 2019 at 4:40 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks we love these meatballs! They are so flavorful!

    Reply
  17. Laci says

    July 8, 2019 at 11:38 am

    Could you make these in the oven? If so what temp and how long? Thank you

    Reply
    • Sara says

      July 9, 2019 at 3:40 pm

      Cook in a covered container at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10-15 minutes.

      Reply
  18. Gwenda says

    June 6, 2019 at 10:28 pm

    5 stars
    Could you tell me what is grape jelly

    Reply
    • Sara says

      June 7, 2019 at 3:33 pm

      Grape jelly is sold with the other jellies and jams at the grocery store! http://www.welchs.com/products/jams-jellies-spreads/traditional/concord-grape-jelly

      Reply
  19. TallyHoMark says

    May 5, 2019 at 10:46 am

    5 stars
    I added onion green pepper, and (drained) pineapple chunks. Yummy!

    Reply
  20. Deb says

    March 9, 2019 at 3:18 pm

    5 stars
    My husband loves these! I make them for his poker group!

    Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More
category category category category category category category

Categories

Sites I am featured In
PRIVACY POLICY © Sara Welch and Dinner at the Zoo® LLC, 2015-2018.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • One Pot Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Asian Food