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    Home » Appetizers » Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs

    Published: Dec 29, 2021 by Lisa · This post may contain affiliate links, which means we make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    These Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs might just be the best party food out there. Simple to make using only 4 ingredients, the hardest part is waiting for them to be ready to eat. Guaranteed to disappear, these easy cocktail meatballs will have all of your friends and family asking for the recipe.

    BBQ meatballs in slow cooker. this recipe

    Appetizers are always near and dear to our hearts (and stomachs) and these Easy BBQ Meatballs are one of our go-to recipes. Not only do these come together in minutes, but the aroma wafting through the house as they bake is amazing.

    Spicy, sweet, and easy to eat makes these meatballs great for any gathering!

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love these meatballs
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Expert Tips for the Best Meatballs
    • More Easy Appetizers
    • Recipe

    Why you will love these meatballs

    ✔️ The ingredient list is short and uses 4 easy to find ingredients.

    ✔️ These appetizer meatballs are the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. If you like a little more heat, add more chipotle peppers. If you like a milder flavor, scale the peppers back.

    ✔️Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs are simple to make! All you need to do is add everything to a slow cooker and let the crock pot work its magic.

    Ingredients

    It only takes a few ingredients to make these tasty snacks.

    Bowl of frozen meatballs, bbq sauce, cherry jelly and chipotle peppers.

    Ingredient Notes:

    ▶︎ The BBQ sauce does make a difference. We love Stubbs Smoky Mesquite BBQ Sauce because it doesn't have any high fructose corn syrup. Some BBQ sauces are sweeter than others, so use your favorite.

    ▶︎ Bonne Maman Cherry Jam is our absolute favorite and worth every.single.penny.

    ▶︎ Chipotle peppers freeze well. Chop them all and freeze them in ice cube trays for easy portion sizes for the future.

    Instructions

    The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting with this BBQ meatball recipe.

    BBQ sauce, frozen meatballs, cherry jam and chipotle peppers in a crock pot.

    Simply add the BBQ sauce, cherry jam, and chopped chipotles to a slow cooker. Stir until well combined. Add frozen cocktail meatballs and stir to coat. Heat on high for 2 hours or low heat for 4 hours.

    Appetizers don't get much easier.

    Meatballs in barbecue sauce in slow cooker.

    FAQs

    What are the best meatballs to use?

    We prefer to make these using all-beef meatballs, but feel free to use your favorite. Just make sure you grab the cocktail size (not the larger size) for easy eating. You can also make your own if you want, but frozen meatballs are much easier!

    Can these be made gluten-free?

    Yes! Target carries a delicious gluten-free, organic all-beef cocktail meatball that is our favorite, and Stubbs BBQ sauce is naturally gluten-free.

    Can I make these meatballs on the stovetop?

    No slow cooker? No problem! Simply add all of the ingredients to a large saucepan or small dutch oven and heat them on the stove until they are cooked through. The sauce will thicken as it cooks.

    Expert Tips for the Best Meatballs

    ✘ Start with quality ingredients. When you have an ingredient list that is only 4 items long, the brands you use makes a difference. Use your favorites.

    ✘ Make sure you give them long enough to cook. The BBQ sauce and cherry jam thicken as it simmers. The slow cooker is the best (and easiest) way to make them.

    ✘ Cocktail meatballs are the perfect bize size portions for appetizers. Double check the label of the meatball package to get the correct size.

    ✘ These reheat well! If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, simply refrigerate in an airtight container and reheat before eating. They will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days after cooking.

    White slow cooker filled with bbq meatballs with spoon.

    More Easy Appetizers

    • Dill dip in a bowl with fresh veggies.
      Dill Dip
    • bacon wrapped bites on a plate with toothpick.
      Easy Bacon Bites
    • Baked Brie with Cranberry Jam on silver tray.
      15-minute Baked Brie with Jam
    • Green Olive Dip

    Looking for more? Check out all of our delicious appetizer recipes.

    
    
    Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 
    
    Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps us and your fellow readers! 
    
    
    

    Recipe

    Meatballs in sauce in slow cooker.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs

    Garnish With Lemon
    These easy bbq meatballs are one of our most requested recipes! Spicy, sweet and made with only 4 ingredients!
    4.41 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 5 mins
    Course Appetizers
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 23 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker
    • BBQ Sauce
    • Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
    • Cocktail Picks
    • Cherry Jam

    Ingredients
      

    • 18 ounces BBQ sauce
    • 16 ounces cherry jam
    • 2 chipotle peppers packed in adobo sauce (chopped)
    • 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
    • 28 ounces frozen cocktail size meatballs

    Instructions
     

    • Mix the barbecue sauce, cherry jam, chopped chipotle peppers, and adobo sauce in a slow cooker and stir.
      18 ounces BBQ sauce, 16 ounces cherry jam, 2 tablespoons adobo sauce, 2 chipotle peppers packed in adobo sauce
    • Add frozen meatballs and cook on high for 2 hours or ow for 4 hours.
      28 ounces frozen cocktail size meatballs

    Notes

    ▶︎ The BBQ Sauce does make a difference. We love Stubbs Smoky Mesquite BBQ Sauce because it doesn't have any high fructose corn syrup. Some BBQ sauces are sweeter than others, so use your favorite.
    ▶︎ Bonne Maman Cherry Jam is our absolute favorite and worth every.single.penny.
    ▶︎ Chipotle peppers freeze well. Chop them all and freeze them in ice cube trays for easy portion sizes for the future.
    ▶︎ Gluten-Free tips: Target carries a delicious gluten-free, organic all-beef cocktail meatball that is our favorite, and Stubbs BBQ sauce is naturally gluten-free.

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6meatballsCalories: 23kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 56mgSugar: 2g

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!
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    About Lisa

    Hi, I’m Lisa! Looking for the party? It’s probably at my house. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing good food with friends and family. That and a seriously good cocktail.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says

      September 19, 2014 at 9:35 am

      Fall is pretty much the best season in Minnesota! If you don't think of what's to come.... Love these saucy meatballs for a great game day food!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        September 20, 2014 at 6:16 am

        Couldn't agree more, Julie!

        Reply
    2. Adam @ CorrChilled says

      September 17, 2014 at 4:47 am

      Hi, this recipe was mentioned in our Midweek Food and Cooking Inspiration #23 - The Best in Food Blogging This Week. I really like it and thought our readers should check it out too! If you want to see the link back to here, other links and delicious food photos go here: https://www.corrchilled.co.uk/index.php?route=pavblog/blog&id=101

      Reply
    3. sheila says

      September 14, 2014 at 7:43 pm

      Cherries! I love it! these look perfect...you sold me when you said they are perfect with an ice cold beer!

      Reply
    4. CakePants says

      September 14, 2014 at 1:41 pm

      Oh wow, these sound amazing!! I've made a cherry chipotle salsa before and my boyfriend went nuts about it, so I'm sure that adding some BBQ sauce to those flavors and making these meatballs would just about make his day (possibly his whole week!)! Yum 🙂

      Reply
    5. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

      September 13, 2014 at 4:51 pm

      Yum! I love fruity BBQ sauces. Never made one with cherries before. Can't wait to try out your recipe!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        September 14, 2014 at 6:54 am

        Thanks, Liz! The cherry adds such a great flavor to the sauce!

        Reply

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