Reduced Sugar Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Today is the last day of school for my kiddos and this mama is ready to play.

I’m trying to be more organized this year and have pretty much planned out our summer with some fun activities and some down time for them to find their own fun. I will have blogging and social media hours and have stock piled enough posts to last me through the next few months. If you didn’t get a chance to read my article on slowing down, be sure to check that out right HERE. I think we could all use a break from life from time to time, yes?

One of our favorite activities is free and happens to be in our backyard… our pool. It’s a small lap pool, but it’s water and my family and I love it. One thing I don’t like to do is turn on the oven during the summer months, not to mention the fact that we are busy having fun and the last thing I want to do is spend all day cooking. I do have one pet peeve when it comes to crock pot recipes though, and that is when they call for massive prep and even cooking before hand.

This is my healthy version of slow cooker “grape jelly meatballs”. My kids love the traditional version but there is not a chance in h*ll that I’d serve them grape jelly that comes from a jar. I use the Aidell’s teriyaki pineapple gluten free pre-made meatballs. They come in a big pack, so I freeze them. They are precooked a can be placed in the slow cooker fully frozen and this sauce still turns out beautiful.

The nice thing about these is that I can throw this in the crock pot in the morning and we can nosh on them by noon and throughout the day while the kids are in the pool. Also easy for parties, game day, and potlucks and are so much healthier than most sweet and sour meatballs. The best thing is that, thanks to the Truvia Brown Baking Blend (it’s half stevia half sugar), this healthier version has only a small amount of sugar. I have served this over Organic Brown Rice noodles to make a delicious dinner– It’s one of our personal favorites.

What You’ll Need

For the Sauce

1 T. oil
1 onion minced
3/4 cup of Truvia Brown Sugar Blend
2 T. of Tamari or Soy Sauce
1 T. of Red Wine Vinegar
1 t. fresh lemon juice
1 cup of Sugar free Ketchup

Meatballs

2 large or 4 small packages of Aidell’s All Natural Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken Meatballs ( I get mine at Costco- they come in a two pack of the large)

How to Make It

Place meatballs in the slow cooker and set aside. Meanwhile, in a medium sauce pan, with the oil, saute the minced onions for about 5- 7 minutes. Add the Ketchup and Truvia Brown Sugar, add lemon juice, vinegar, and soy sauce and simmer until slightly thickened about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and pour sauce over the meatballs in the Crockpot. Cooking time–on warm for 6 hours or low for 4.