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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Meatball Placement: Distribute frozen meatballs evenly in the crockpot, creating a uniform layer that ensures consistent cooking and flavor absorption.
- Sauce Coating: Delicately pour prepared sauce over meatballs, gently rotating to guarantee comprehensive coverage, allowing each meatball to be saturated with the aromatic mixture.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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