Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs

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

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

BBQ Pork Steaks in the Slow Cooker

Recipe