Description

These sweet, sticky, and slightly spicy crockpot meatballs are the ultimate crowd-pleaser for potlucks, parties, or easy dinners. Juicy meatballs simmer in a tangy sweet chili sauce with a hint of garlic and jam for a glossy, addictive glaze.

Ingredients

Scale

32 oz (900 g) frozen fully-cooked meatballs (beef, turkey, or chicken)
1 1/2 cups sweet chili sauce
1/3 cup apricot preserves or orange marmalade (or peach jam)
2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium if preferred)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
1–2 teaspoons sriracha or hot sauce (optional, to taste)
Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (for garnish, optional)
Sliced green onions (for garnish, optional)
Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, apricot preserves or orange marmalade, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and minced garlic until smooth. Stir in sriracha if using.
Place frozen meatballs in a 4-6 quart crockpot. Break up any that are stuck together.
Pour the sauce evenly over the meatballs. Toss gently to coat.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours, stirring once halfway through.
After cooking, stir well. For a thicker sauce, let the crockpot sit uncovered on ‘warm’ for 15-20 minutes, or whisk in a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water and simmer for 10 minutes.
Garnish with chopped cilantro, green onions, and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot from the crockpot with toothpicks or over rice.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free meatballs and tamari. For vegetarian/vegan, use plant-based meatballs and check sauce ingredients. Sauce can be adjusted for sweetness or heat. Make ahead by assembling in the crockpot insert and refrigerating overnight. Leftovers freeze well. Garnish just before serving for best presentation.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 4-5 meatballs with sauce
Calories: 250
Sugar: 10
Sodium: 600
Fat: 12
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 18
Fiber: 1
Protein: 12

Keywords: sweet chili meatballs, crockpot meatballs, slow cooker appetizer, potluck recipe, party meatballs, easy meatball recipe, Asian meatballs, sweet and spicy meatballs