Description
These Crockpot BBQ Meatballs are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or main dish featuring tender, juicy meatballs slow-cooked in a flavorful BBQ sauce. Perfect for parties, game days, or a comforting family meal, this recipe combines ground beef, savory seasonings, and a tangy, slightly sweet BBQ glaze for mouthwatering results with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
BBQ Sauce Mixture
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional, for tang)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently using your hands or a spoon just until all ingredients are evenly incorporated without overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs using your hands. Try to make them uniform in size so they cook evenly. Place the formed meatballs in the bottom of the crockpot in a single layer.
- Make the BBQ Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, and apple cider vinegar until fully combined. This sauce provides both tanginess and sweetness to complement the savory meatballs.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared BBQ sauce mixture over the meatballs in the crockpot, ensuring they are evenly coated with the sauce. Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
- Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the meatballs from the crockpot and serve hot. Offer extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping if desired. These meatballs pair well with rice, mashed potatoes, or as a party appetizer with toothpicks.
Notes
- For best results, do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep the texture tender.
- You can substitute ground pork or a beef-pork blend for more flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness and tang in the sauce by varying honey and apple cider vinegar according to taste.
- Make sure the meatballs are not overcrowded in the crockpot to ensure even cooking.
- Leftover meatballs keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.
