Name: Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (28 oz) bag frozen meatballs; 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks; 1 green bell pepper, roughly chopped; 1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped; 1 cup brown sugar; 3/4 cup white vinegar; 1/2 cup ketchup; 3 tablespoons cornstarch; 3 tablespoons soy sauce

There’s something so comforting about that perfect balance of tangy sweetness and savory flavor, and this Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe hits that spot every single time. It’s one of those dishes that makes your kitchen smell amazing and leaves everyone asking for seconds—trust me, you're going to want to keep this one in your weekly dinner rotation.

The image shows a black slow cooker filled with about three layers of shiny, brown meatballs covered in a glossy, thick brown sauce. Mixed within and on top of the meatballs are chunks of bright red bell peppers, yellow pineapple pieces, and green bell peppers, adding pops of color. A wooden spoon rests inside the cooker, partially covered in the sauce. The background and surface are a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m a huge fan of meals that feel a bit special but don’t take forever—and this Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe checks both boxes perfectly. It’s fuss-free with a slow cooker doing most of the magic, but the flavor definitely doesn’t skimp. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser that reminds me of those cozy family dinners growing up.

Effortless cooking: Toss everything in the slow cooker and forget about it until dinner time.
Flavor-packed sauce: Sweet, tangy, and just a little bit savory—thanks to a tasty mix of pineapple, vinegar, and soy sauce.
Versatile and customizable: You can add your own twist easily, like swapping bell peppers or adjusting sweetness.
Perfect for family meals: It’s a hit with kids and adults alike, making dinner easy and satisfying.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe are simple but totally complementary. You’ve got frozen meatballs doing the heavy lifting, with sweet pineapple and colorful bell peppers giving freshness and texture. The magic sauce blends brown sugar’s molasses notes with vinegar’s tang and soy’s savory umami.

Flat lay of fresh green bell pepper pieces, fresh red bell pepper pieces, a small white ceramic bowl of golden brown sugar crystals, a small white ceramic bowl of clear white vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red ketchup, a small white ceramic bowl of pale white cornstarch powder, a small white ceramic bowl of dark soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh bright yellow pineapple chunks, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Frozen meatballs: A huge time saver, and they soak up the sauce beautifully as they cook.
Pineapple chunks: Adds natural sweetness and a touch of juicy tropical flavor that brightens the dish.
Green and red bell peppers: Bring freshness, color, and a slight crunch to balance the sauce.
Brown sugar: Deep sweetness that caramelizes slightly, making the sauce rich and sticky.
White vinegar: Gives the tangy punch essential to that classic sweet-and-sour taste.
Ketchup: Adds tomatoey sweetness and body to the sauce, tying the flavors together.
Cornstarch: Perfect thickener to give the sauce that glossy, clingy texture.
Soy sauce: Contributes umami depth and balances the sweetness.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe depending on the season and what I have on hand. It’s so flexible—you can amp up the veggies or dial the sugar down if you’re after something lighter. It’s your dish, so make it suit your tastes and dietary needs.

Variation: Once, I swapped out the bell peppers for diced pineapple peppers and threw in some chopped onions for a bit more bite—it was a hit with my family! You can also make it gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

A white plate holds a bed of fluffy white rice as the bottom layer, topped with four round brown meatballs covered in a shiny orange-brown sauce. Among the meatballs, there are chunks of yellow pineapple and pieces of green bell pepper, all coated in the same sauce that looks thick and glossy, pooling slightly on the rice below. The background is a white marbled surface, adding a clean look to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Start by getting your ingredients ready—drain the pineapple chunks and save that juice. Then roughly chop your green and red bell peppers. I find it helps to have everything measured and ready to go before you begin assembling because this process goes fast once you start.

Step 2: Layer the Meatballs and Veggies

Place the frozen meatballs in the slow cooker first. Then top them with the drained pineapple chunks and your beautifully chopped bell peppers. This layering helps the flavors meld as everything cooks together.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Sauce

In a separate bowl, combine the reserved pineapple juice with brown sugar, white vinegar, ketchup, cornstarch, and soy sauce. Whisk everything until smooth and the sugar starts to dissolve—this sauce is where the sweet and sour magic happens!

Step 4: Cook and Let the Slow Cooker Work

Pour the sauce over your meatballs and veggies in the slow cooker, cover, and set it to cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The slow cooker gently infuses the meatballs with flavor, and that sauce thickens beautifully—no need to stir or fret during cooking.

Top Tip

Having made Sweet and Sour Meatballs quite a few times, I’ve picked up some tricks that help this recipe turn out perfectly every time. These little pointers really help if you’re new to the slow cooker game or just want that extra wow factor.

Using frozen meatballs: Make sure they’re thawed a little if you can, especially if cooking on the low setting—it speeds the cooking time up without compromising taste.
Whisking the sauce: Don’t skip this step—getting the cornstarch dissolved properly prevents clumps and gives you that perfect glossy sauce.
Adding veggies last: If you prefer crunchier bell peppers, add them in halfway through cooking instead of at the start.
Slow cooker size: Use a slow cooker not too stuffed nor too empty—meatballs should be in a single layer or close for even cooking.

How to Serve Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe

Sweet and Sour Meatballs - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle chopped green onions and a few toasted sesame seeds on top—it adds a nice fresh crunch and a little extra color that makes the dish pop. Sometimes, a little bit of chopped fresh cilantro works wonders too, especially if you’re serving it over rice.

Side Dishes

White rice is my go-to side because it soaks up that luscious sauce perfectly. But I’ve also enjoyed this recipe alongside steamed jasmine rice, quinoa, or even fried rice for a heartier meal. For veggies, steamed broccoli or snap peas balance sweet and sour beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I served these Sweet and Sour Meatballs on skewers for a party appetizer, garnished with a sprinkle of crushed peanuts for texture—it was a total crowd-pleaser! You could also turn it into a fun slider by popping meatballs into small buns with a bit of extra sauce and pickled veggies on top.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Sweet and Sour Meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge, and they usually last about 3-4 days. The flavor actually deepens overnight, making leftovers even tastier! Just be sure to reheat gently to keep the sauce from breaking.

Freezing

This recipe freezes wonderfully. I portion leftover meatballs and sauce into freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the fridge. When you need an easy meal, just reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Reheating

For best results, I reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. This keeps the sauce luscious and gets the meatballs heated evenly. A splash of water or additional pineapple juice helps if the sauce thickened too much in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe without a slow cooker?

Absolutely! You can cook the meatballs and sauce on the stovetop by simmering everything in a covered pan over medium heat for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and meatballs are heated through.

What type of meatballs work best for this recipe?

Pre-cooked frozen meatballs work best here for ease, but if you prefer homemade, just make sure they’re fully cooked before adding the sauce and follow the same slow cooker instructions.

Can I adjust the sweetness or sourness of the sauce?

Definitely! If you prefer it sweeter, add a bit more brown sugar. If you like more tang, increase the vinegar slightly. It’s easy to adjust to your personal taste—just whisk the sauce ingredients together and taste before adding to the slow cooker.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

It can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free meatballs and substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative. Always double-check labels to be sure.

Final Thoughts

This Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe has become one of my favorites because it’s easy, delicious, and versatile—it brings a bit of joyful nostalgia and a lot of flavor to the table. Whether you’re making weeknight dinners less stressful or impressing guests with minimal effort, it’s a recipe worth keeping in your back pocket. Give it a try and see how easily it becomes a household favorite for you too!