Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs

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Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs – these tasty, tangy and sweet, little meatballs are so easy to make and keep warm in the slow cooker, perfect for a game day get together, potluck or party anytime.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs

I love that these meatballs are made in the slow cooker. All the prep work is done earlier in the day and when your guests arrive, the meatballs are ready to go. You can then keep them warm and even serve then straight from the slow cooker, allowing guests to help themselves, so easy!

I came across the original version of this Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs recipe years ago when I did an Internet search for a slow cooker meatball appetizer recipe. I was skeptical about making them at first because of the main ingredients, which are grape jelly and chili sauce.


But, it was a popular recipe, so I gave it a try, and am so glad that I did. These little meatballs are so good, sweet and savory, tangy and super delicious. Who knew such a combination would be so good?

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These little Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs are a great dish to take to a potluck, and are also a wonderful addition to a brunch buffet. When I do a brunch buffet, I often like to have a mixture of sweet and savory breakfast items, along with some tasty snack and appetizer items, such as these little meatballs.

I often like to have a brunch party, for family and friends, for my son’s January birthday and these meatballs are always one of the most popular items and one of the first to be finished.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These delicious Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs, are so easy to make and keep warm in the slow cooker, perfect for a game day get together or party anytime.

Do you have a favorite slow cooker meatball recipe? Please let me know in the comments below!

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Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours, 50 minutes

Yield: 50 - 60 appetizer size meatballs

Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs - these tasty, tangy and sweet, little meatballs are so easy to make and keep warm in the slow cooker, perfect for a game day get together, potluck or party anytime.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ pounds lean ground beef
  • ½ cup dry bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 (12 oz) jar grape jelly
  • 1 (12 oz) bottle chili sauce
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1 half of a lemon)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, salt and pepper. Shape mixture into 1 inch balls.
  2. In a 5-6 quart slow cooker, whisk together grape jelly, chili sauce and lemon juice.
  3. Add meatballs to slow cooker.
  4. Cover slow cooker and cook on high for 4-5 hours or until meatballs are cooked through.
  5. In a small bowl, create a slurry, by whisking together cornstarch and water, until cornstarch is dissolved.
  6. Add slurry to sauce in slow cooker, stir until slurry is incorporated into the sauce. Replace cover on slow cooker and continue to cook on high for 30 minutes or until sauce is thickened.
http://joylovefood.com/slow-cooker-sweet-sour-meatballs/

Adapted from allrecipes.com.

Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs - these tasty, tangy and sweet, little meatballs are so easy to make and keep warm in the slow cooker, perfect for a game day get together, potluck or party anytime.

I love my 6-quart Crock Pot brand slow cooker, similar models are available at Amazon:

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51 comments

  3. Elaine says:

    Joy your super bowl party must have been perfect! First the cheese dip and then these yummy meatballs! I think I’m in heaven! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday – Link Party! I hope to see you again tomorrow! Pinned!
    Elaine recently posted…Tid Bit Tuesday – Fat Tuesday!My Profile

  5. Patty Haxton Anderson says:

    Your meatballs sound delicious. Thank you for linking up at the LET’S GET REAL WEEKLY LINK PARTY.
    Your submission is appreciated and will be tweeted or pinned or
    both. Be sure to join us next week, Thursday Feb. 11th at 5 p.m.
    EST

  8. Michelle says:

    My son has a January b-day too. January birthdays are kinda hard coming off of holiday festivities. Using the crockpot to help is a must. I’ve never made these little meatballs–they look good! I’m thinking Super Bowl!
    Michelle recently posted…Winter Fruit SaladMy Profile

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  10. Cydnee@Tampa Cake Girl says:

    I loved your recipe and shared it on my page last week. It was very popular! Thank you very much for joining in the celebration of #purebloglove, we enjoy having you each week. I hope to see you on Thursday at 8PM, EST through Sunday night. ~Cydnee

  12. Lou Lou Girls says:

    Hello cute lady! This looks so amazing. I would love some right now. Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you taking the time to stop by and party with us. It wouldn’t be a party without you! I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. Lou Lou Girls
    Lou Lou Girls recently posted…Easy Rolo Skillet CookieMy Profile

  13. Christie says:

    These look so yummy to me! Thanks so much for linking up at the Totally Terrific Tuesday Link Party. I hope you stop by again tonight at 10pm to show us what you’ve been up to this week. It’s so much fun partying with you!
    Christie recently posted…Chocolate Chip Cookie PieMy Profile

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    • Joy says:

      I agree about the grape jelly, I never would have thought to use it with meatballs, but it really works, they are so good! Your hot dogs sound good too.

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