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If you’ve got a bag of frozen meatballs and a slow cooker, you’re halfway to flavor town. These Crockpot BBQ Meatballs are sweet, a little spicy, super saucy, and ridiculously easy to make. We’re talking five minutes of prep and a house that smells like BBQ heaven all afternoon.
This recipe is a twist on those classic grape jelly meatballs you’ve probably seen at every potluck. Instead of chili sauce, we’re using spicy BBQ sauce for an extra kick. The combo of jelly and BBQ sounds weird until you try it, and then you’re hooked.
Perfect for parties, game days, or those lazy weeknights when cooking feels like a lot. Let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting while you sit back and relax.
Yield: Serves about 6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Ingredients
1 (32 ounce) bag frozen fully-cooked meatballs (beef work great)
1 (18 ounce) bottle spicy BBQ sauce (or go mild if you’re not into heat)
1 (9 ounce) jar grape jelly (yes, the basic kind your grandma probably has, trust the process)
Instructions
- Toss it all in
Add your frozen meatballs to the slow cooker. No need to thaw, just straight from the bag. - Sauce it up
Pour in the BBQ sauce and grape jelly. Give it a good stir until the meatballs are nicely coated in that sweet and spicy goodness. - Let it cook
Pop the lid on and cook on HIGH for 2½ to 3 hours. The meatballs will get hot and juicy and the sauce thickens into sticky, glossy perfection. - Serve it how you like it
Keep them warm in the Crockpot with some toothpicks for an easy party snack. Or serve them over mashed potatoes, rice or stuffed into buns for the most addictive sliders ever.
Slow Cooker I Use
Hamilton Beach Portable 6 Quart Set Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Lid Lock, Temperature Probe, Dishwasher Safe Crock & Lid, Black Stainles
Tips and Tricks
Make ahead magic
These reheat like a dream. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Mild version
Not into spicy? Swap the BBQ sauce for a sweeter one or do a 50/50 blend.
Serving ideas
Party snack with toothpicks
Dinner with mashed potatoes or rice
Slider style on mini buns
Meatball subs in toasted hoagie rolls
Nutrition Info (per serving, approximate)
Calories: 460
Total Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 55mg
Sodium: 800mg
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 28g
Protein: 20g
Disclaimer: Nutrition info is estimated and may vary depending on your ingredients. For exact numbers, chat with a nutrition pro.
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