BBQ meatballs crockpot

Ingredients: The Simple Components

The beauty of crockpot BBQ meatballs lies in their straightforward ingredient list. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

Basic Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (32 oz) frozen, fully-cooked meatballs
• 1½ cups BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
• 1 cup grape jelly

That’s it for the basic version! However, if you’re feeling creative or want to customize the flavor profile, consider these enhancing additions:

Optional Flavor Boosters:

• ¼ cup ketchup (for added tomato richness)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (for extra sweetness)
• 1 tablespoon honey (for depth and glossy finish)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (for savory notes)
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (for heat lovers)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (for umami depth)
• 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning (for a tangy twist)
• ½ teaspoon liquid smoke (for that cookout flavor)
• ½ yellow onion, finely diced (for texture and flavor)

Directions: Cooking in the Slow Cooker

Creating these mouthwatering BBQ meatballs couldn’t be easier. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Start the sauce: Add BBQ sauce and grape jelly to your slow cooker. Toss in any optional flavor boosters at this stage if you’re using them. Whisk these ingredients together until fairly smooth (don’t worry if the jelly doesn’t completely incorporate yet—it will melt as it heats).
2. Add the meatballs: Gently add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker and use a large spoon to toss them until evenly coated with the sauce mixture.
3. Let it cook: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2–3 hours or on LOW for 4–6 hours.The meatballs are already cooked, so you’re primarily heating them through and allowing them to absorb the delicious sauce flavors.
4. Stir occasionally: While not strictly necessary, stirring the meatballs once or twice during cooking helps ensure even sauce coverage and prevents any potential sticking to the sides of the pot.
5. Keep warm: When the meatballs are fully heated and the sauce slightly thickens, switch to the WARM setting. They can be kept on this setting for up to 2 hours during your gathering, making them perfect for grazing at parties.

Homemade Meatball Option

While the frozen meatball route offers unbeatable convenience, some home cooks prefer making meatballs from scratch. Prefer homemade meatballs? Here’s how:

1. Combine 1 pound ground beef, 1 pound ground pork, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup finely minced onion, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons milk, and seasoning (salt, pepper, Italian herbs) in a large bowl.
2. Shape into 1-inch balls and bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes until fully cooked.
3. Let cool slightly, then add to your crockpot with the sauce as directed above. Since these are freshly cooked rather than frozen, you can reduce the cooking time by about 30 minutes.

Tips and Variations for Your BBQ Meatballs

These versatile meatballs can be served in numerous ways, depending on the occasion:

Serving Ideas:

• Classic Appetizer: Serve with decorative toothpicks and a small bowl for discarding them.
• Family Dinner: Spoon over steamed white rice or mashed potatoes.
• Game Day Sliders: Tuck 2-3 meatballs into slider buns with a slice of provolone cheese.
• Pasta Partner: Serve over egg noodles for a twist on spaghetti and meatballs.
• Holiday Buffet: Transfer to a chafing dish with a serving spoon for elegant presentation.

Storage and Reheating:

• Storage tip – fridge: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: These meatballs freeze beautifully! Let cool completely, then place in freezer-safe bags or containers. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in a saucepan on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. To reheat: Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring gently each time.

Sauce Variations:

The basic BBQ sauce and grape jelly combination is just the beginning. Try these creative twists:

• Spicy BBQ: Add 2-3 tablespoons of sriracha or 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
• Teriyaki Style: Replace half the BBQ sauce with teriyaki sauce and add 1 tablespoon of grated ginger.
• Hawaiian BBQ: Add 1 cup of crushed pineapple (drained) to the sauce mixture.
• Smokehouse: Use a smokier BBQ sauce and add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
• Sweet Heat: Use pepper jelly instead of grape jelly for a spicy-sweet combination.

Tips for Success:

• Sauce Consistency: If your sauce seems too thin after cooking, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate. For an even quicker fix, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir into the hot meatball mixture.
• Meatball Integrity: If you notice your meatballs starting to break apart during cooking, it’s likely because they’re being stirred too vigorously. Fold ingredients together softly—avoid rough stirring to maintain texture.
• Size Matters: If using homemade meatballs, try to keep them all roughly the same size to ensure even cooking. A medium cookie scoop works perfectly for consistent sizing.

Before preparing your crockpot BBQ meatballs, it’s crucial to ensure food safety. According to the USDA, meat or poultry should always be thawed before placing it in a slow cooker to prevent the risk of bacterial growth during the initial cooking phase.  For detailed guidelines, refer to the USDA’s recommendations on slow cookers and food safety.   

BBQ meatballs crockpot

These BBQ meatball crockpot delights are tender, flavorful, and simmered in a rich, smoky sauce—perfect for easy dinners, potlucks, or game day snacks.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients

  

Basic Ingredients:

• 2 pounds 32 oz frozen, fully-cooked meatballs
• 1½ cups BBQ sauce your favorite brand
• 1 cup grape jelly

Optional Flavor Boosters:

• ¼ cup ketchup for added tomato richness
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar for extra sweetness
• 1 tablespoon honey for depth and glossy finish
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder for savory notes
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper for heat lovers
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce for umami depth
• 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning for a tangy twist
• ½ teaspoon liquid smoke for that cookout flavor
• ½ yellow onion finely diced (for texture and flavor)

Instructions

 

• Prepare the sauce base: In your slow cooker, combine the BBQ sauce and grape jelly. If you’re using any of the optional flavor boosters, add them now. Whisk these ingredients together until fairly smooth (don’t worry if the jelly doesn’t completely incorporate yet—it will melt as it heats).
• Add the meatballs: Gently add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker and use a large spoon to toss them until evenly coated with the sauce mixture.
• Set it and (almost) forget it: Cover your slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours. The meatballs are already cooked, so you’re primarily heating them through and allowing them to absorb the delicious sauce flavors.
• Stir occasionally: While not strictly necessary, stirring the meatballs once or twice during cooking helps ensure even sauce coverage and prevents any potential sticking to the sides of the pot.
• Serve warm: Once the meatballs are heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly, switch your slow cooker to the WARM setting. They can be kept on this setting for up to 2 hours during your gathering, making them perfect for grazing at parties.

Video

Notes

Nutrition Information

Please note that nutritional values will vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes:

• Calories: Approximately 320 per serving (based on 8 servings)
• Protein: 15g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fat: 14g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 690mg

Key Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 2-3 hours on HIGH or 4-6 hours on LOW
• Total Time: 2-6 hours (depending on crockpot setting)
• Servings: 8-10 as an appetizer, 4-6 as a main dish
• Equipment Needed: 4-6 quart slow cooker

Keyword BBQ sauce, crockpot, meatballs

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh meatballs instead of frozen? Absolutely! If using freshly made meatballs, make sure they’re fully cooked before adding to the crockpot, and reduce the overall cooking time by about 30-60 minutes.

Why grape jelly? Can I substitute something else?The grape jelly adds a touch of sweetness and gives the sauce a shiny finish.You can substitute apricot preserves, orange marmalade, or even cranberry sauce with good results.

My sauce is too sweet. How can I balance it? Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to cut through the sweetness. A splash of Worcestershire sauce helps bring all the flavors together.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes! You can combine the sauce ingredients and meatballs, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking. If you’re starting with cold ingredients, simply increase the cooking time by around 30 minutes.

What’s the best BBQ sauce to use? This is entirely personal preference! Sweet Baby Ray’s is popular, but any BBQ sauce you enjoy eating will work wonderfully in this recipe.

Nutrition Information

Please note that nutritional values will vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes:

• Calories: Approximately 320 per serving (based on 8 servings)
• Protein: 15g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fat: 14g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 690mg

Looking for more ideas? try these other Frozen Meatballs Recipe you’ll absolutely love:

• Frozen Meatballs In Air Fryer
• Mississippi Meatballs

These crockpot BBQ meatballs have stood the test of time as a beloved comfort food for good reason. Their irresistible combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors paired with ultimate cooking convenience makes them a recipe worth keeping in regular rotation. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or simply looking for an effortless family dinner, these meatballs deliver satisfaction in every bite.

The next time you need a reliable, crowd-pleasing dish that practically cooks itself, remember this crockpot BBQ meatballs recipe. Your future self (and your lucky guests) will thank you!