Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Ground Beef Meatballs

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Ground Beef Meatballs

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 202

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 0.25 cup diced onion
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 0.25 cup rice vinegar
• 0.25 cup ketchup
• 0.5 cup pineapple chunks, drained
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour helps bind the mixture

Method

 

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, diced onion, flour, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined; overmixing can make the meatballs tough.
2. Shape the mixture into small meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter and gently place them into the slow cooker, leaving a bit of space between each.
3. Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, and water in a separate bowl. Pour this sauce evenly over the meatballs.
4. Tuck the pineapple chunks on top of the meatballs, allowing the sweet fruit to mingle with the sauce as it cooks.
5. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours (420 minutes). The slow cooker will gently break down the meat while the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
6. Before serving, stir the mixture gently to coat the meatballs in sauce, and use a food thermometer to verify that the internal temperature has reached a safe level for ground beef.

Notes

I fold in a tablespoon of flour to keep the meatballs from falling apart in the slow cooker, and I add a splash of soy sauce right before serving to deepen the sweetness. I also line the slow cooker with parchment to prevent sticking—my family says it saves a lot of cleanup.

Food Safety Note: Always use a food thermometer to confirm your dish has reached a safe internal temperature before serving, and follow your country’s official food safety guidelines for meat, poultry, and slow-cooking. Cook times in this recipe are estimates — appliance and ingredient variation affects actual cook time.