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Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs

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A quick and easy slow cooker recipe for smoky, tangy BBQ meatballs that are perfect for parties and crowd-pleasing appetizers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 pounds frozen meatballs (pre-cooked beef or beef/pork mix)
  • 3 cups barbecue sauce (e.g., Sweet Baby Ray’s)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper or smoked paprika. This takes about 5 minutes.
  2. Place frozen meatballs evenly in the slow cooker; no need to thaw.
  3. Pour the prepared sauce over the meatballs and gently stir with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to coat all meatballs.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. Avoid lifting the lid frequently.
  5. After 3 hours, check for doneness. If sauce is too thin, remove lid for the last 30 minutes to reduce.
  6. Gently stir the meatballs before serving to coat with sauce without breaking them.
  7. Serve warm, either on a serving dish or directly from the slow cooker, ideally with toothpicks for easy snacking.

Notes

Use pre-cooked frozen meatballs for best results and minimal prep. Avoid over-stirring to prevent meatballs from breaking. To thicken sauce, remove lid during last 30 minutes or stir in cornstarch slurry and cook additional 15 minutes. Can cook on high for 1.5 to 2 hours but low and slow yields better texture and flavor. Variations include adding pineapple, bourbon, or using turkey or vegetarian meatballs with adjusted cooking times.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, BBQ meatballs, party appetizer, easy recipe, crowd-pleaser, barbecue sauce, frozen meatballs

Find it online: https://islatable.com/slow-cooker-bbq-meatballs-recipe-easy-perfect-crowd-pleasing-appetizer/