When I made this Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Beef, the kitchen filled with the smell of tangy sauce and slow-cooked goodness.
The beef turned tender and juicy, soaking up all that sweet and sour flavor.
I remember lifting the lid at dinnertime—the sauce was thick, glossy, and smelled amazing.
This dish is rich, comforting, and so easy to make.
It’s perfect for busy days when you want a homemade meal waiting for you.
Let’s slow cook it together—you’ll love how flavorful and tender it turns out.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-Off Cooking: Let your slow cooker do all the work while you go about your day.
- Tender and Juicy: Hours of slow cooking create melt-in-your-mouth beef.
- Family-Friendly: Sweet and tangy flavors that even picky eaters enjoy.
- Budget-Friendly: Uses affordable beef cuts that become tender through slow cooking.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Makes great leftovers that taste even better the next day.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
Prep Time & Cook Time:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Total Time: About 6-7 hours
Servings: This recipe serves 6-8 people. Perfect for feeding a family with leftovers for lunch the next day.
Difficulty: Very easy. If you can chop vegetables and turn on a slow cooker, you can make this recipe.
Required Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker (6-quart capacity)
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients for Crock Pot Sweet Sour Beef
This comforting dish uses simple ingredients that work together to create rich, satisfying flavors. The sweet and sour sauce mingles with the beef and vegetables during the long cooking time, creating a complete meal in one pot.
For the Main Dish:
- Beef: 2 pounds of beef chuck roast or stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Sweet and Sour Sauce: 1 cup of store-bought or homemade sweet and sour sauce
- Carrots: 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
- Yellow Onion: 1 large yellow onion, cut into chunks
- Stir Fry Vegetables: 2 cups of mixed stir fry vegetables (bell peppers, snap peas, water chestnuts)
- Rice: 3 cups of cooked white or brown rice for serving
Optional Additions:
- Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons for extra depth
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Fresh ginger: 1 teaspoon, grated
- Pineapple chunks: 1 cup for extra sweetness
Variations for Crock Pot Sweet Sour Beef
- Add Pineapple: Stir in fresh or canned pineapple chunks for tropical sweetness.
- Make It Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce for heat.
- Use Chicken: Swap beef for chicken thighs for a lighter version.
- Add More Veggies: Include broccoli, mushrooms, or baby corn.
- Thicken the Sauce: Mix cornstarch with water and stir in during the last 30 minutes.
How to Make Crock Pot Sweet Sour Beef Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Beef
Cut the beef into chunks about 1 to 2 inches in size. Trim away any excess fat. Pat the pieces dry with paper towels for better browning.
2. Layer the Vegetables
Place the sliced carrots and onion chunks at the bottom of your slow cooker. This creates a bed for the beef and prevents sticking.
3. Add the Beef
Layer the beef pieces over the vegetables. Spread them out evenly so everything cooks at the same rate.
4. Pour the Sauce
Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the beef and vegetables. Use a spoon to make sure the sauce reaches all the pieces.
5. Cook Low and Slow
Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Set it to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The beef is done when it pulls apart easily with a fork.
6. Add Stir Fry Vegetables
During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add your stir fry vegetables on top. Cover and let them cook until tender but still crisp.
7. Prepare the Rice
While the beef finishes cooking, prepare your rice according to package directions. You will need about 3 cups of cooked rice.
8. Rest and Serve
Turn off the slow cooker and let the beef rest for 5 minutes. This helps the sauce thicken slightly and the flavors settle.
Serving and Decoration
Serve the sweet sour beef over a bed of fluffy white rice. Use a large spoon to scoop the beef, vegetables, and sauce together. The rice will soak up the delicious sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds for a restaurant-style presentation.
How to Serve Crock Pot Sweet Sour Beef
This hearty dish works well in many ways:
- Over Rice: The classic way to enjoy this meal, letting the rice absorb all the sauce.
- With Noodles: Serve over lo mein or egg noodles for a change.
- In Lettuce Wraps: Spoon into butter lettuce leaves for a low-carb option.
- With Steamed Vegetables: Add a side of broccoli or bok choy for extra nutrition.
- As a Sandwich Filling: Pile the beef onto hoagie rolls for a fun twist.
Storing Crock Pot Sweet Sour Beef
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep the rice separate if possible.
- Freezer: Freeze the beef and sauce (without rice) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm gently in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
Tips and Tricks for Success
- Brown the Beef First: For deeper flavor, brown the beef in a skillet before adding to the slow cooker.
- Cut Even Pieces: Keep beef chunks the same size so everything cooks evenly.
- Do Not Lift the Lid: Every time you peek, you add 15-20 minutes to the cooking time.
- Check for Doneness: The beef should be fork-tender and easy to shred.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the sauce and add a splash of vinegar if too sweet, or honey if too tangy.
- Save the Juices: The cooking liquid makes a wonderful sauce, so do not drain it.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 |
| Protein | 32g |
| Carbohydrates | 48g |
| Fat | 12g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 18g |
| Sodium | 680mg |
Based on 6 servings. Values are approximate and will vary based on specific ingredients used.
PrintCrock Pot Sweet Sour Beef
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6-7 hours
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish / Slow Cooker Recipes / Beef Recipes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast or stew meat, cut into chunks
- 1 cup sweet and sour sauce
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 1 large yellow onion, cut into chunks
- 2 cups mixed stir fry vegetables
- 3 cups cooked rice, for serving
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep Vegetables: Slice carrots and cut onion into chunks. Place them at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add Beef: Cut beef into 1-2 inch pieces. Layer over the vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Pour Sauce: Pour sweet and sour sauce evenly over the beef and vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until beef is fork-tender.
- Add Vegetables: During the last 30 minutes, add stir fry vegetables on top. Cover and cook until tender-crisp.
- Prepare Rice: Cook rice according to package directions while beef finishes cooking.
- Serve: Spoon beef and vegetables over rice. Drizzle with extra sauce from the slow cooker.
Crock Pot Sweet Sour Beef FAQs
Yes. Chuck roast, stew meat, or even short ribs work well. Choose cuts with some fat for the best tenderness.
You can use a Dutch oven in a 300-degree oven for 3-4 hours, checking occasionally and adding liquid if needed.
Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Carrots and onions can go in from the start. Add delicate vegetables like bell peppers and snap peas near the end so they stay crisp.
Try quinoa, cauliflower rice, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes.
Conclusion
This Crock Pot Sweet Sour Beef recipe proves that delicious home cooking does not require hours in the kitchen. With just a few simple ingredients and your trusty slow cooker, you can create a restaurant-quality meal that your whole family will love. The tender beef combined with colorful vegetables and tangy-sweet sauce makes every bite satisfying. Whether you are cooking for a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend dinner, this recipe delivers comfort and flavor with very little effort.
