Tangy Crockpot Sweet and Sour Beef Recipe for Fuss-Free Meals

Mouthwatering aromas of this crockpot sweet and sour beef promise a culinary adventure that transforms dinner into something extraordinary.

Slow cooking works pure magic on tough meat cuts.

Tender chunks absorb rich, tangy flavors while simmering gently throughout the day.

Minimal prep means maximum enjoyment for busy home cooks seeking delicious meals.

Vibrant ingredients like pineapple and bell peppers create a colorful plate that looks as amazing as it tastes.

Weeknight dinners just got an exciting upgrade with this incredibly simple yet impressive recipe.

Jump in and make something spectacular that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Crockpot Sweet and Sour Beef Hits the Spot

• Let your crockpot do all the heavy lifting while you enjoy a delicious, hands-off meal that requires minimal preparation and cleanup.
• Combine tangy, sweet, and savory elements that create a mouthwatering dish everyone from kids to adults will absolutely love.
• Transform affordable beef stew meat into a restaurant-quality meal that stretches your grocery budget without compromising on taste or satisfaction.
• Easily adapt this recipe by serving over rice, noodles, or even as a filling for tacos, making it perfect for diverse dining preferences and meal planning.

Ingredients for Sweet and Sour Beef

• Beef Stew Meat: Tender and flavorful base for the sweet and sour dish.

• Bell Pepper, Onion: Fresh vegetables that add crunch and flavor to the dish.

• Pineapple Chunks: Adds sweetness and tropical tang to the recipe.

• Ketchup, Brown Sugar, Apple Cider Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Minced Garlic: Creates a balanced sweet and tangy sauce.

• Cornstarch, Cold Water: Helps to thicken the sauce and create a glossy texture.

• Salt, Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Adds freshness and visual appeal.

• Rice, Noodles: Provides a perfect base for the sweet and sour beef.

How to Slow Cook Sweet and Sour Beef

Step 1: Prepare Meat and Vegetables

Cut beef stew meat into bite-sized chunks.

Slice bell peppers into colorful strips.

Dice onions into small pieces.

If using canned pineapple, drain the chunks completely.

Step 2: Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker

Gently place beef chunks, bell pepper strips, diced onions, and pineapple chunks into the crockpot.

Spread ingredients evenly across the bottom.

Step 3: Whisk Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Minced garlic

Blend until sauce looks smooth and glossy.

Step 4: Coat Ingredients with Sauce

Pour sauce over meat and vegetables in crockpot.

Use a spatula to ensure everything gets thoroughly coated.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover crockpot and cook on low setting for 6-8 hours or high setting for 3-4 hours.

Beef should become super tender and easily fall apart.

Step 6: Create Silky Sauce Texture

Mix cornstarch with cold water to create a quick slurry.

Stir into crockpot during final 30 minutes of cooking to create a luxurious sauce consistency.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Spoon beef and sauce over fluffy rice or slurp-worthy noodles.

Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds for extra pizzazz.

Tips to Perfect Crockpot Sweet and Sour Beef

• Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for maximum tenderness and rich flavor during slow cooking.
• Adjust sweet and sour ratio by adding more vinegar for tanginess or brown sugar for sweetness based on personal preference.
• Replace bell peppers with carrots or zucchini for different nutritional profiles while maintaining recipe's texture and taste.
• Pat beef dry before adding to crockpot to reduce excess moisture and help meat brown more effectively during cooking.
• Resist lifting crockpot lid during cooking to maintain consistent temperature and prevent heat loss that slows down cooking process.

How to Store and Reheat Sweet and Sour Beef

• Transfer cooled sweet and sour beef to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Package the beef in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2-3 months without losing quality or taste.
• Place desired portion in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm the beef in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a little water or broth to restore moisture. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating, cooking until the beef reaches 165°F internal temperature.

Pair This Beef Dish with These Sides

• Flavor Boost Rice Pairing: Jasmine or basmati rice complements the sweet and tangy sauce, absorbing flavors beautifully while providing a light, fluffy base for the rich beef.
• Wine Companion Selection: Choose a medium-bodied red like Zinfandel or Syrah, which can stand up to the robust beef and match the dish's sweet-sour profile with their fruity undertones.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Serve a crisp Asian-inspired beer like Tsingtao or Sapporo, whose light, clean taste cuts through the richness and balances the meal's intense flavors.
• Vegetable Side Harmony: Prepare steamed bok choy or stir-fried green beans with garlic, offering a fresh, crunchy contrast to the tender, saucy beef and adding nutritional balance.

Sweet and Sour Beef Variations to Try

• Gluten-Free Friendly: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Use cornstarch as a thickener, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Option: Swap beef with firm tofu or seitan chunks. Cut tofu into bite-sized pieces and press out excess moisture before cooking to enhance texture.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Skip brown sugar and use monk sweetener. Serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice. Replace pineapple with low-carb bell peppers for reduced sugar content.
• Spicy Kick Version: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the sweet and sour mixture. Include diced jalapeños with the vegetables for extra heat and complexity.

FAQs

• Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute stew meat with chuck roast, bottom round, or sirloin tip. Just ensure the meat is cut into bite-sized pieces and has enough marbling to become tender during slow cooking.

• Is it possible to make this recipe without a crockpot?

Absolutely! You can prepare this sweet and sour beef in a Dutch oven or large pot. Cook on low heat in the oven at 325°F for 2-3 hours, checking occasionally to ensure the meat doesn’t dry out.

• How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Replace regular soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative. Double-check that all other ingredients, like ketchup, are certified gluten-free to ensure the entire dish meets dietary requirements.

• Can I freeze the sweet and sour beef?

Yes, this dish freezes well. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

Crockpot Sweet and Sour Beef Recipe

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4.9 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty crockpot sweet and sour beef brings classic Chinese-American comfort straight to dinner tables with minimal effort. Rich, tangy flavors meld together effortlessly, creating a satisfying meal you can easily enjoy without complex cooking techniques.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) beef stew meat (cut into bite-sized pieces)

Vegetables and Fruits:

• 1 bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)

Sauce and Seasoning:

• 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) ketchup
• 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Serving and Garnish:

• Cooked rice or noodles
• Sliced green onions
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Prepare the meat by cutting stew beef into uniform bite-sized cubes if not pre-cut, ensuring consistent cooking and easy eating.
2. Rough chop bell peppers and onions into similar-sized pieces to promote even distribution and balanced flavor profile throughout the dish.
3. Drain pineapple chunks thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from diluting the sauce’s intensity and consistency.
4. Combine meat, vegetables, and pineapple chunks directly in the crockpot, creating a solid foundation for the dish.
5. Create the sweet and sour sauce by whisking ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and minced garlic until smooth and well-integrated.
6. Pour sauce over the ingredients in the crockpot, gently stirring to ensure complete and uniform coating of all components.
7. Cover and slow cook at low temperature (195°F) for 6-7 hours, allowing flavors to meld and meat to become fork-tender.
8. During final 30 minutes, mix cornstarch with cold water to create a smooth slurry, then fold into the crockpot to naturally thicken the sauce.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed for balanced flavor profile.
10. Plate over steamed rice or noodles, garnishing with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Choose meat with good marbling for extra tenderness and rich flavor during slow cooking.
• Pat beef dry before adding to crockpot to help achieve better browning and prevent watery texture.
• Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Customize sauce sweetness by adjusting brown sugar levels according to personal preference or dietary needs.
• For gluten-free version, replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos and use gluten-free cornstarch.
• Add fresh ginger for deeper, more complex flavor profile that complements sweet and sour sauce.
• Reduce sauce before serving if wanting thicker consistency by removing lid during last hour of cooking.
• Swap beef with chicken or tofu for alternative protein options without changing core recipe structure.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4 hours (high)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg