Crockpot BBQ Meatballs are the easiest appetizer you can make! Just toss frozen or fresh pre-cooked meatballs into a sweet and savory BBQ sauce, then let the slow cooker do all the work. They turn out tender, saucy, and packed with flavor. Perfect for game day and guaranteed to disappear fast.
This crockpot BBQ Meatballs recipe is one of our families go-to recipes for any party or gathering. I took a shortcut and used frozen meatballs (I know, you are shocked!), but I have also made this recipe with homemade meatballs as well. We love to use these turkey meatballs or even chicken meatballs.
These 3 ingredient meatballs are kind of shockingly delicious and are always the first thing to go at any party. Serve them as an easy game day appetizer that everyone will be talking about!
Why You’ll Love These Easy BBQ Meatballs
- No prep
- Minimal ingredients
- Easy entertaining recipe – perfect for game day!
- Crowd-pleaser
- Budget-friendly – 3 simple ingredients
- Hands-off recipe – let the slow cooker do all the work!
The Best Frozen Meatballs To Use
As always, when it comes to using a shortcut from the store, make sure to check the ingredients to ensure you are making the best choices. Here are my top picks for the best store-bought frozen meatballs.
- Simek Beef Meatballs
- Good and Gather Beef Meatballs
- Greenwise Beef Meatballs
- Force Of Nature Grassfed Meatballs
- Realgood Chicken Meatballs – for a lighter option
I really cannot wait for you to try these easy crockpot BBQ meatballs. You are going to LOVE them!
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love These Easy BBQ Meatballs
- The Best Frozen Meatballs To Use
- BBQ Meatballs are always a hit!
- Ingredients for Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
- Recommended Kitchen Tools
- How To Make Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
- Recipe Tips For Making the Best BBQ Meatballs
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage and Reheating Tips
- More Healthy Party Appetizers
- Easy Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
BBQ Meatballs are always a hit!
For some reason, meatballs are always popular and seem to be the first thing to go at any party or get-together. In fact, some of the most popular recipes on PMG are my meatball recipes! YUP! Turkey Zucchini Meatballs, Greek Meatballs, Eggplant Meatballs, Healthy Turkey Meatballs, Ground Chicken Meatballs….so many great meatball recipes! Popular for good reason. They are all easy to make, store and reheat great, and you can make a bunch ahead of time and freeze them!
Ingredients for Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
This slow cooker meatballs recipe only has 3 simple ingredients, which is why it is a go-to recipe I make all the time, especially for game day and parties all year long. Here is what you’ll need to make it.
- Fully cooked frozen meatballs – of course, as mentioned, I used frozen store-bought meatballs but you could also use homemade. You want to make sure the meatballs are precooked and cooled/chilled beforehand. I listed my favorite store-bought brands above. If you are using homemade meatballs then check out my recipe tips below.
- BBQ sauce – now this is a big one, because you want to use a really good tasting BBQ sauce. I love Sweet Baby Rays but any brand you like will work. I prefer bottled BBQ sauce over homemade to keep this recipe easy but feel free to use your own as well. Smoked, hickory, honey, spicy or even sugar free BBQ sauce will all work great in this meatballs recipe.
- Maple syrup or brown sugar – to add a little bit of sweetness to the meatballs. I like to use maple syrup as a refined sugar free option but when entertaining I do use the brown sugar because it just adds the best layer of sweetness mixed with the BBQ sauce.
That’s it! Just 3 simple ingredients! My kind of recipe.
Recommended Kitchen Tools
- Mixing bowl and spoon
- Measuring cup
- Slow Cooker
How To Make Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
This easy 3 ingredients BBQ Meatballs recipe is so quick and simple to make. You just coat the meatballs in the sauce, dump everything into the crockpot, cook for a few hours and you have delicious, tasty meatballs ready with minimal effort.
- Combine the BBQ sauce with the brown sugar in a bowl.
- Toss the meatballs in the sauce.
3. Transfer the coated meatballs to a crockpot.
4. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.
Recipe Tips For Making the Best BBQ Meatballs
- Use frozen or homemade meatballs. I often make a double batch and freeze half so I always have meatballs on hand for easy recipes like this.
- Homemade meatballs cook faster. If you’re using homemade (already cooked) meatballs, they only need 1 hour on high or 2 hours on low.
- Switch up the sauce. Try teriyaki sauce (one of our favorites), taco sauce, or even pasta sauce for a fun twist.
- Any meatball works. Turkey, beef, or chicken meatballs are all great in this recipe.
- Stir halfway through. Give the meatballs a good stir halfway through cooking so they stay evenly coated in the sauce.
- Cook until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are fully warmed through. This will take 1-2 hours on high and 3-4 hours on low for most slow cookers. I would check the meatballs ¾ of the way through to ensure you do not overcook them.
- Keep warm for serving. Once they’re done, switch the slow cooker to “warm” so they’re ready for snacking.
Serving Suggestions
We love these slow cooker BBQ meatballs as an easy appetizer or a main protein. Serve them with extra BBQ sauce for dipping, or ranch dressing (my kids’ favorite!). You can also make them into a full meal by serving them over rice, stuffing them into a sub with melted cheese, or chopping them up for a fun BBQ meatball pizza. Here are some other fun ways to serve them:
- Serve with toothpicks
- On slider rolls
- Over mashed potatoes
- Serve with mac and cheese
- With coleslaw
- Serve with dinner rolls
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover crockpot BBQ meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the slow cooker on low for 30–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, or microwave individual portions until warmed through.
More Healthy Party Appetizers
- Deviled Eggs With Relish
- Simple Charcuterie Board
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Did you make this Crockpot BBQ Meatballs recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. You can also tag me on Instagram @pinchmegoodfood so I can see your creation.
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Easy Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 50 Meatballs 1x
Description
Crockpot BBQ meatballs are the easiest party appetizer you can make with 3 simple ingredients. All you have to do is mix up the sauce, coat the meatballs and cook them in the slow cooker until juicy and flavorful. These appetizer meatballs are the recipe everyone will be talking about!
Ingredients
- 32 ounces precooked frozen meatballs
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar or maple syrup
Instructions
- In a medium size mixing bowl combine the bbq sauce and brown sugar.
- Toss the meatballs in the sauce until they are all fully coated.
- Spray the crockpot with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Transfer the coated meatballs to the slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.
- Once the bbq meatballs are done cooking, give them a good stir and serve hot.
Notes
- You can use precooked frozen or homemade meatballs in this recipe. Just make sure the meatballs are precooked and chilled before you use them. Homemade meatballs (unless frozen) will take less time to cook so check on them halfway through and continue cooking as needed.
- Make sure to coat the meatballs well in the BBQ sauce and cook them until the sauce is nice and thick and the meatballs are fully cooked through.
- Once the meatballs are done cooking, put the crockpot on warm to serve them nice and hot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat right in the crockpot on low heat for 1-2 hours or in the microwave in portions until fully heated through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Crockpot
- Cuisine: American
These were a hit. Delicious. Definitely on my rotation list.
The meatballs were fantastic! I just don’t like straight bbq sauce and I watered it down with chicken broth so any idea how to make it less strong bbq but still a lot of flavor
Hi Linda,
You can use less bbq sauce and maybe some chili sauce or ketchup instead. That should work great!
Fine postings, Cheers!