Slow-Simmered Juicy Sweet Chili Meatballs Crockpot Recipe

When the tangy sweet chili meatballs crockpot magic happens in your kitchen, dinner becomes an instant celebration of flavor.

Tender, succulent meatballs swim in a rich, glossy sauce that promises to wake up taste buds.

Every bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet and spicy notes that dance across your palate.

These meatballs pack a punch of deliciousness without complicated preparation.

Slow cooking ensures each morsel remains incredibly moist and infused with deep, complex seasonings.

The crockpot does all the hard work while you relax and anticipate a meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience you won’t forget.

Cook Sweet Chili Meatballs with Minimal Effort

• Whip Up the Flavor Blast

Create a tangy, mouth-watering sauce by blending sweet chili sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl.

• Snuggle Meatballs in Sauce

Drop frozen meatballs into the crockpot and generously coat them with the zesty sauce, making sure every ball is dripping with deliciousness.

• Slow Cook to Perfection

Let the meatballs simmer and soak up the flavors on low heat for 4-5 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours, occasionally stirring to ensure even coating.

• Sauce

Want a thicker, more luxurious sauce? Quickly stir in a cornstarch mixture 30 minutes before serving, letting it bubble and thicken under the lid.

• Dress and Impress

Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the glossy meatballs. Serve them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer with toothpicks or spread them over a bed of fluffy rice for a satisfying meal.

Flavor Ideas to Tweak the Sweet and Heat

• Prepare meatballs and sauce ahead of time, storing them separately in refrigerator for quick assembly during busy weeks.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to create mild, medium, or fiery hot versions based on personal heat tolerance and family preferences.
• Replace frozen meatballs with turkey, chicken, or plant-based meatballs for different protein options and dietary needs.
• Use leftover sweet chili sauce as a glaze for grilled proteins or a dipping sauce for spring rolls, maximizing recipe versatility.
• Serve meatballs over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal alternative.

Serve for Parties, Snacks, or Rice Bowls

• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange meatballs on a festive wooden board with toothpicks, sprinkle green onions and sesame seeds for an eye-catching appetizer display.
• Game Night Crowd-Pleaser: Serve in a large ceramic bowl alongside crispy tortilla chips or buttery crackers for easy munching during sports events or movie nights.
• Asian-Inspired Dinner Bowl: Layer fluffy white rice in a deep bowl, top with meatballs and sauce, then add quick-pickled cucumber slices and extra green onions for a complete meal with vibrant textures and flavors.
• Potluck Star: Transport meatballs in the crockpot to keep them warm, providing small serving spoons so guests can easily help themselves at community gatherings or family potlucks.

Store in the Crockpot or Fridge

• Prepare double the meatball recipe and freeze half in sauce for future easy meals. Perfect for unexpected guests or busy weeknights when cooking time is limited.
• Store leftover meatballs in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Keep sauce-coated meatballs separate from plain ones to maintain optimal texture and flavor integrity.
• Pack cooled meatballs in freezer-safe containers with sauce, ensuring minimal air exposure. Freeze up to 3 months for convenient future meals. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Repurpose leftover meatballs into sandwiches, pasta toppings, or rice bowl additions. Chop and mix into salads for quick protein boost or create a delicious next-day lunch variation.

FAQs

• Can I use fresh meatballs instead of frozen ones?

Yes, you can use fresh meatballs. Just ensure they are fully cooked before adding to the crockpot and adjust cooking time slightly since they won’t need as long to heat through.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild heat level from red pepper flakes. You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less red pepper flakes, or omitting them completely for a milder version.

• What if I don't have rice vinegar?

You can substitute rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. Each will provide a slightly different flavor profile but will work well in the recipe.

• Can I make this recipe in advance?

Absolutely! These meatballs can be prepared ahead of time and reheated. They actually taste great the next day as the flavors continue to develop and blend together.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 6

Sweet Chili Meatball Ingredient Rundown

• Sweet Chili Sauce: Provides tangy-sweet foundation with vibrant flavor profile, choose high-quality brand for best results.
• Ketchup: Adds rich tomato depth and slight sweetness, opt for smooth consistency.
• Soy Sauce: Delivers umami and saltiness, select low-sodium version for better control.
• Honey: Balances flavors with natural sweetness, use raw local honey for enhanced taste.
• Rice Vinegar: Creates brightness and subtle acidity, pick clear, mild variety.

• Garlic: Introduces robust aromatic element, use fresh minced for maximum punch.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds gentle heat and complexity, adjust quantity based on spice preference.

• Frozen Meatballs: Convenient protein base, choose pre-cooked beef or turkey varieties.
• Cornstarch: Optional thickening agent for sauce, ensures glossy restaurant-style consistency.
• Water: Used with cornstarch to create smooth slurry, helps sauce reach perfect texture.

• Green Onions: Provides fresh, sharp finishing touch, slice thinly for elegant presentation.
• Sesame Seeds: Offers nutty crunch and visual appeal, toast lightly for enhanced flavor.

Tools to Simmer Meatballs in a Crockpot

• Crockpot: Essential for slow cooking the sweet chili meatballs to perfection.
• Mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking together the delicious sauce ingredients.
• Whisk: Ideal for blending sauce components smoothly and eliminating lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cutting board: Helpful for chopping green onions as a final garnish.
• Sharp knife: Needed for precise green onion chopping.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring meatballs during cooking.

Juicy Sweet Chili Meatballs Crockpot Recipe

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4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Succulent Sweet Chili Meatballs simmered in a tangy sauce deliver comforting Asian-inspired flavors perfect for family gatherings. Home cooks can easily prepare this crowd-pleasing dish with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (900 g) frozen meatballs
• 1 cup (240 ml) sweet chili sauce
• ½ cup (120 ml) ketchup
• ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce
• 2 tbsps honey
• 2 tbsps rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsps water
• Chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Whisk sweet chili sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl until smooth and fully integrated.
2. Meatball Placement: Distribute frozen meatballs evenly in the crockpot, creating a uniform layer that ensures consistent cooking and flavor absorption.
3. Sauce Coating: Delicately pour prepared sauce over meatballs, gently rotating to guarantee comprehensive coverage, allowing each meatball to be saturated with the aromatic mixture.
4. Slow Cooking Process: Secure crockpot lid and select temperature setting – low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Periodically stir to facilitate even sauce distribution and prevent potential sticking.
5. Sauce Enhancement: Craft a cornstarch slurry by blending cornstarch with water, incorporating into the crockpot 30 minutes prior to serving. This technique transforms the sauce into a luxuriously glossy, slightly thickened coating.
6. Garnish and Presentation: Elevate the dish’s visual appeal by sprinkling freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the meatballs moments before serving.
7. Serving Suggestion: Offer as a sophisticated appetizer with decorative toothpicks or serve atop steamed rice for a complete, satisfying culinary experience.

Notes

• Prevent Sauce Burning: Always stir meatballs occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent sauce from scorching at the bottom of the crockpot.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Let meatballs marinate in sauce for at least 30 minutes before cooking to enhance taste absorption and intensify overall flavor profile.
• Control Sauce Thickness: Adjust cornstarch slurry consistency by gradually adding water or cornstarch to achieve desired sauce viscosity without making it too thick or thin.
• Customize Spice Levels: Modify red pepper flakes quantity to match personal heat tolerance, allowing flexibility for different spice preferences while maintaining recipe’s core flavor balance.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg