Sweet and Sour Crock Pot Meatballs (Printable)

Tender meatballs in a tangy peach-apricot glaze, perfect for parties or easy weeknight meals.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 Garnish

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

# Directions:

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 fully combined and smooth.
02 - Transfer frozen meatballs into a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker.
03 - Pour the prepared sauce over the meatballs and gently toss to ensure even coating.
04 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, or on HIGH setting for 1.5 to 2 hours, until meatballs are heated through and sauce is bubbling.
05 - Stir gently before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
06 - Serve warm as an appetizer with toothpicks, or over cooked rice as a main dish.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The magical combination of fruit preserves and savory ingredients creates a sauce that caramelizes beautifully around each meatball, making them impossible to resist after the first bite.
  • You can truly set it and forget it while the slow cooker transforms ordinary frozen meatballs into something that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Stirring too aggressively will break your meatballs apart, especially after they've been cooking for hours, so always use a gentle hand when mixing.
  • The sauce thickens considerably as it cools, so if youre planning to keep these on warm for a party, you might want to thin it with a tablespoon or two of water if it gets too sticky.
03 -
  • For an impressive presentation at potlucks, transfer the finished meatballs to a ceramic dish and sprinkle with extra garnishes just before serving, making them look freshly made instead of transported.
  • Keep your slow cooker on the warm setting during parties and place a small bowl of toothpicks nearby for easy self-serving that keeps the conversation flowing without interruptions.
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