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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer

    Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs

    By: Jessica · Posted: Feb 26, 2020 · Updated: Feb 7, 2025 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    Jump to Recipe 10 comments
    4.86 from 14 votes

    Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs: Using frozen meatballs, grape jelly, sriracha, and bbq sauce, you’ll have a crowd-favorite appetizer in just two hours! Serve these crockpot little smokies along with them, and you’ll be the party pleaser!

    Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs

     

    Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs

    I’ve been making these meatballs for some time now, but it was only recently that I made them as an appetizer for a family Christmas celebration.

    It was then that my family RAVED about the meatballs and I knew that I had to grab some photos so I could share the recipe with you all.

    Since then, meatballs have become a favorite around here, so make sure you get this easy Swedish meatball recipe and these frozen meatballs in the Instant Pot too!

    Fully Cooked Frozen Meatballs

    Although it doesn’t matter which brand of meatballs you use, trust me when I say that the fully cooked Farmrich Homestyle Meatballs MAKE this recipe. I just haven’t found another brand that measures up and “Italian” style meatballs don’t have the right flavor to go with the ingredients either.

    So if you’re able, grab Farmrich Homestyle Meatballs… and if you can’t, grab something similar, just not an Italian style. (Italian-style meatballs are made more for spaghetti sauces to have with pasta, to put in these meatball stuffed peppers, etc.)

    Frozen meatballs - Farmrich

    Pour Frozen Meatballs in to Crockpot

    You can find the full recipe card towards the bottom of this post, but I also like to walk through each step in case you’re more of a visual person like I am.

    First things first, pour the frozen meatballs in to the slow cooker.

    Frozen meatballs in the slow cooker

    BBQ Sauce

    Although you can use your favorite bbq sauce, our go-to is Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce. (We always use the original, but feel free to experiment with their other flavors if you wish.)

    If you ONLY have bbq sauce on hand, it’s absolutely ok to just use that for your meatballs. So consider this one of the best last-minute snacks to feed surprise guests because the meatballs can sit in the freezer and the bbq sauce can sit in the pantry.

    HOWEVER, to make the meatballs a little more glorious, keep reading for the two other ingredients that you’ll want to add in for the meatballs that my family loves.

    Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce for Meatballs

    Pour in the entire 18 oz. bottle of bbq sauce. If using a different size/brand, you don’t have to use 18 oz. exactly.

    It’s ok to have a little bit more, little bit less. But the 18 oz. works really well with the measurements of the other ingredients, yet it is very forgiving if not using the same bottle I do.

    Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs

    I know it sounds crazy, but the sweetness of the grape jelly with the saltiness of the meatballs and bbq sauce, it is the perfect combination of flavor!

    Add ½ cup of grape jelly in with the bbq sauce and meatballs.

    BBQ Sauce and Jelly for slow cooker meatballs

    A Bit of Spice – Sriracha

    We absolutely LOVE sriracha around here. (We even put it on avocado toast!) Don’t be scared of the heat… it’s not going to burn you up like adding hot sauce, but rather it’s just the kick that this salty/sweet meatball recipe needs!

    However, if you are a bit scared of adding some heat, you can leave it out or cut back on the Sriracha.

    But if you’re ready to rock n roll with it, add ¼ cup of Sriracha to the bbq sauce, jelly and meatballs.

    Sriracha, jelly and bbq sauce meatballs

    Mix Evenly and Cook

    Grab a long-handled spoon and mix together the meatballs and the sauces until evenly mixed.

    Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours (watching closely in case your slow cooker likes to burn or cook uber fast!) or cook on low for 3-4 hours… or until the meatballs are heated through!

    Slow Cooker Meatballs - frozen with jelly

    Potluck, Party Food, Easy Dinner

    As I mentioned earlier, having frozen meatballs and the sauces on hand is the perfect last-minute snack to make when unexpected guests arrive.

    However, being “The Meatball Girl” may just be your new name when it comes to the potlucks and parties you’re invited to. They’re easy to make ahead of time, transport and sit on “warm” during an event!

    BUT… don’t forget about the easy weeknight dinner idea that these meatballs can provide.

    “What Can I Fix with BBQ Meatballs?”

    Whip these up with a side salad and you have a quick dinner that may just become a weekly favorite!

    Or serve them alongside quick and easy side dishes like:

    • Sweet Potatoes in the Instant Pot
    • Broccoli Raisin Salad
    • Carrot Salad
    • Baked Potato Wedges
    • Tomato Mozzarella Avocado Salad
    Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs

    BBQ Pork Steaks in the Slow Cooker

    BBQ Meatballs in the slow cooker, made with grape jelly and sriracha

    Recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs

    Jessica Burgess
    Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs: Using frozen meatballs, grape jelly, sriracha and bbq sauce, you'll have a crowd favorite in just two hours!
    4.86 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 hours hrs
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 9 servings
    Calories 380 kcal

    Equipment

    • slow cooker

    Ingredients

    • 28 oz. fully cooked frozen meatballs approx 56, ½ oz bite-sized meatballs
    • 18 oz bottle of bbq sauce We prefer Sweet Baby Rays Original
    • ½ cup grape jelly
    • ¼ cup Sriracha

    Instructions
     

    • Pour frozen meatballs in to a slow cooker
    • Pour remaining ingredients on top of meatballs and stir until mixed in evenly
    • Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3-4, or until meatballs are heated through.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6meatballs | Calories: 380kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 813mg | Potassium: 406mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 144IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keywords appetizer, bbq sauce, grape jelly, meatballs, slow cooker, sriracha
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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      4.86 from 14 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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    1. Sherry says

      December 11, 2024 at 5:59 am

      5 stars
      These are delicious! Can I double the recipe in one crockpot?

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        December 11, 2024 at 9:16 am

        Hi Sherry! Thank you. You absolutely can double the ingredients!

        Reply
    2. Alicia says

      November 09, 2021 at 7:12 pm

      3 stars
      These were way too spicy for us. We like the idea but we probably need less siracha next time! Just be careful if you aren’t used to the spice!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        November 09, 2021 at 9:22 pm

        Hi Alicia! Thanks for letting us know and for giving the heads up! Everyone loves a different level of spice for sure. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Heather Rose says

      June 27, 2021 at 8:38 am

      5 stars
      These were even easier than I expected! And so delicious!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        June 27, 2021 at 8:55 am

        Woo hoo!! So glad to hear it, thank you Heather!

        Reply
    4. Beth says

      June 27, 2021 at 3:13 am

      5 stars
      These meatballs are so delicious and very flavorful! Can’t wait to make these again! We made these for our get together with the neighbors and everyone loved this recipe!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        June 27, 2021 at 8:56 am

        They’re our favorite to make for a crowd!! So glad that you all liked them too!

        Reply
    5. Katie says

      June 27, 2021 at 1:11 am

      5 stars
      So delicious and a favorite of everyone’s! We love them as an appetizer.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        June 27, 2021 at 8:56 am

        YESS!!! We love meatballs as an appetizer too! SO glad you like them! 🙂

        Reply

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    Jessica Burgess of Fantabulosity, slicing an avocado.

    Hi, I'm Jessica! - Owner and Creator of the blog and brand, Fantabulosity.

    I’m here to teach you how to make quick and easy recipes, using simple ingredients, that your family will love.

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