Sweet and Sour Crock Pot Meatballs (Printer-Friendly)

Frozen meatballs in tangy peach preserve sauce—effortless appetizer or main dish ready in just 3 hours of slow cooking.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 bowl, whisk together peach or apricot preserves, ketchup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, ground ginger, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
02 - Place frozen meatballs in a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker and pour sauce over them, gently tossing to coat evenly.
03 - Cover 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 bubbly.
04 - Gently stir before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve warm as an appetizer with toothpicks or over rice as a main course.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • You literally dump everything in and walk away—no babysitting required.
  • The peach preserves create this glossy, sophisticated glaze that tastes like you actually tried.
  • Works as an elegant appetizer for unexpected guests or a lazy weeknight dinner over rice.
02 -
  • Don't skip the gentle toss midway through—it helps the sauce coat evenly and prevents the bottom from scorching.
  • If your slow cooker runs hot, check after two hours on LOW; some models cook faster than others and you don't want split meatballs.
03 -
  • Brown sugar dissolves more smoothly if you whisk it in last—it helps prevent lumps in an already thick sauce.
  • The magic happens when you resist opening that slow cooker lid; every peek drops the internal temperature and adds fifteen minutes to cooking time.
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