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Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These sweet and sour meatballs use Russian dressing and apricot preserves for a new spin on a crock-pot classic! With 4 ingredients and less than 5 minutes of prep, this easy appetizer is perfect to feed a crowd.

crockpot of meatballs

These sweet and sour crockpot meatballs are the perfect party meatball. Made in the crockpot, slow cooker, or instant pot, they are a delicious appetizer!

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs

With all the crockpot and slow cooker appetizer meatballs out there, quite a few have a sweet and tangy flavor. If you look at enough recipes, the ingredients all look the same.

  • Chili Sauce & Grape Jelly
  • Grape Jelly & Ketchup
  • Barbecue Sauce and Mustard
  • Pineapple Juice & BBQ Sauce
  • Vinegar & Soy Sauce

But I don’t see any with Russian dressing. Or apricots. By the way, I stole this idea from a friend of mine who makes Sweet and Sour Chicken with Russian dressing and apricot preserves.

A simple mixture of the two poured over chicken and baked until done. What an easy recipe!

I thought I would give it a try over some meatballs instead of chicken, and give it a whirl in my slow cooker. They turned out great, in case you are wondering.

These use less than 5 ingredients, take less than 5 minutes to prep, and are super delicious. And that’s why I am sharing these sweet and sour crockpot meatballs with you today.

sweet and sour meatballs ingredients

Ingredients Needed

Meatballs – I prefer to make homemade meatballs and store in the freezer or grab a bag of frozen meatballs next time you are at the store. I love beef meatballs but you can use turkey meatballs, Italian meatballs, or chicken meatballs too.

Apricot Preserves – I like the preserves because it has some texture to it but you can also use apricot jelly. This takes the place of brown sugar in other sweet and sour sauce recipes.

Russian Dressing – Use the Russian dressing that is not cream based. This is my favorite. If you can’t find it you can also use Catalina or French dressing.

For more insider tips & tricks, and a candid behind the scenes look follow me on social media! Check use out on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (yes, people still use Twitter, LOL!)

Can I make my own Russian dressing?

Yes, but make sure it is a recipe similar to Catalina or French dressing. And not a creamy or mayonnaise based one.

Can I substitute the apricot preserves?

You can use orange marmalade but it won’t be as tangy as with the apricot.

How to Make Sweet and Sour Meatballs

First: Combine the dressing, apricot preserves, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to mix.

Second: Add the frozen cooked meatballs to the crockpot or slow cooker. Pour sauce over the meatballs. Stir to coat evenly.

Third: Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3-4 hours. If you are using an Instant Pot, cook on high for 7  minutes. Keep warm in the crockpot/slow cooker/instant pot while serving.

Fourth: Serve with toothpicks or mini forks. You can keep hot on the low warm setting during the party. Enjoy!

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

meatballs in a crockpot

How long do they last?

Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave, on the stove top, or toss back in the slow cooker and heat until warmed through.

Can I freeze them?

I love to make these ahead of time and freeze them for a party. Cook, cool completely, and store in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months.

Thaw overnight and reheat until warmed through.

spoon with 3 meatballs

Can I reuse the leftover sauce?

This recipe makes really saucy meatballs! Yes, but be sure to store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat all the way through before using it in another recipe.

Can I make them in the instant pot?

Yes, just cook them on manual high pressure for 7-8 minutes. Quick release the steam. These are great served with bell peppers, over white rice and garnished with green onions for a quick and easy dinner.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

toothpick holding a meatball

The only limit is your imagination when it comes to cocktail meatballs. Want more recipes? Check out this list!

  1. Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs
  2. Teriyaki Meatballs
  3. BBQ Steakhouse
  4. French Onion Meatballs
  5. Hawaiian Meatballs

To see the rest of the list of 40+ Best Meatball Appetizers check out this post.

best cocktail meatballs

Tapas Tips & Tricks

  • Use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup.
  • Make your own meatballs for extra flavor.
  • I prefer my meatballs with lean ground beef but you can use ground turkey.
  • Prep the sauce ahead of time and just pour in when ready to use.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

collage of sweet and sour  meatballs pictures

I hope you enjoy this slow cooker sweet and sour meatballs recipe at your next party, for an easy midweek meal over rice, or for a lazy Sunday afternoon watching football. It’s my favorite meatball recipe of all time!

crockpot full of meatballs and sauce

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These tangy sweet crockpot meatballs are the perfect party meatball! Made in the crockpot, slow cooker, or instant pot, they are a delicious appetizer!
4.35 from 86 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Best Cocktail Meatballs
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 2oz
Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

  • 28 ounces frozen meatballs
  • 16 ounces Russian dressing
  • 18 ounces apricot preserves
  • 2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

Prepare the Tangy Sweet sauce

  • Combine the Russian dressing, apricot preserves, and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Stir to thoroughly mix.

Prepare the Meatballs

  • Add the frozen meatballs to the crockpot or slow cooker.
  • Pour the Tangy Sweet sauce over the meatballs.
  • Stir to coat evenly.
  • Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3-4 hours.
  • If you are using an Instant Pot, cook on high for 7  minutes.
  • Keep warm in the crockpot/slow cooker/instant pot while serving.
  • Serve with toothpicks or mini forks.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Notes

    • Use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup.
    • Make your own meatballs for extra flavor.
    • I prefer my meatballs with lean ground beef but you can use ground turkey.
    • Prep the sauce ahead of time and just pour in when ready to use.

Nutrition

Serving: 2oz | Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 622mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g

{Originally posted 10/2/2018 – Photos and notes updated for better reader experience 07/11/2024}

©TakeTwoTapas.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

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9 Comments

  1. This was tasty, but a little but strong. I will make this again, but I think I will cut the Worcestershire Sauce to 1/3 cup and for the other 1/3 cup I will use Teriyaki Sauce to smooth it out some. I added cooked egg noodles to the meatballs after they were done.

  2. DELICIOUS! I’ve shared this recipe with family and friends who also love it. They always disappear at gatherings! Kids even love them. I fix with white rice & I’ve also been meaning to add in water chestnuts & pineapples while they cook… maybe even some onion & green peppers. TRY it asap!!

  3. Omg. These were great. I ate every one from the recipe batch. You must try them for your next get together.

  4. 5 stars
    Omg. These were great. I ate every one from the recipe batch. You must try them for your next get together.

4.35 from 86 votes (84 ratings without comment)

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