Description
This Viral Slow Cooker Cherry BBQ recipe features tender frozen meatballs cooked slowly in a sweet and tangy cherry BBQ sauce. The combination of cherry preserves, barbecue sauce, and a touch of apple cider vinegar creates a flavorful glaze that perfectly complements the meatballs, making it an easy and crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal option.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 32 oz frozen fully cooked meatballs
Cherry BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup cherry preserves
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare sauce: Whisk together the barbecue sauce, cherry preserves, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper in a medium bowl until you get a smooth and uniform sauce.
- Arrange meatballs: Place the frozen fully cooked meatballs evenly into the slow cooker bowl to create a single layer for even cooking.
- Combine sauce and meatballs: Pour the prepared cherry BBQ sauce mixture over the meatballs, then gently stir to coat all the meatballs evenly with the sauce without breaking them.
- Slow cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 3 hours. Stir the meatballs once or twice during cooking if possible to ensure even heating and sauce thickening. The meatballs should be heated through and the sauce thick and glossy by the end of cooking.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs hot directly from the slow cooker. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
Notes
- Use fully cooked frozen meatballs to simplify the cooking process and ensure proper reheating.
- Stirring occasionally during slow cooking helps prevent sauce from sticking and promotes even flavor coating.
- For thicker sauce, cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes to reduce excess liquid.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or chives for added visual appeal and flavor.
- This recipe is ideal for party appetizers, easy weeknight meals, or potlucks.
