Appetizers/ Recipes/ Slow Cooker/Instant Pot

Slow Cooker Party Meatballs

A white bowl filled with Slow Cooker Party Meatballs sits in the foreground on top of a white plate that has fresh sage branches around it. A bottle of Head Country Bar-B-Q Original Sauce is sitting in the background and a plaid cloth is underneath the plate and bottle. Everything is on a wooden backdrop.

 This is a sponsored post for Head Country. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on my own personal view. 

 

Meatball Party Appetizers

I’m not sure what your ideal of a perfect party appetizer is, but mine includes these Slow Cooker Party Meatballs. 

Made with the  Best BBQ Sauce, and a couple of secret ingredients, these simple yet flavorful meatballs will make your guests beg for more! 


It seems that almost every Christmas party has some type of meatballs present as an appetizer.

I love Christmas parties and party appetizers, but I’m often disappointed by the overly dry and flavorless meatballs that are usually served.

A good meatball appetizer is truly delicious if done right.

These Slow Cooker Party Meatballs are flavorful, juicy, and tender – everything a good meatball should be!

Made with only 5 simple ingredients, these Party Meatballs are also fast and simple for the busy host or hostess.

Who doesn’t appreciate fast and easy during such a busy season as the Christmas season?! I know I sure do!

 

A white bowl filled with Slow Cooker Party Meatballs is sitting on a white plate. The plate has a plaid cloth underneath and everything is on a wooden backdrop. A hand is coming out of the left hand side of the frame and is holding a toothpick with a meatball on the end.

 

Crockpot Meatballs

Growing up in rural Oklahoma, we attended a small community church and had church potlucks pretty often.

Inevitably, there was always at least one person that would show up with Crockpot Meatballs.

Sometimes they were delicious, and sometimes they were downright scary.

I’ll never forget the time I went through the potluck line and came across, what could only be called “mystery meatballs.”

They were only identifiable as being meatballs due to the round shape. Other than that, it was left to the imagination what exactly they might be made up of.

If you’ve ever attended a small church, you know it’s not acceptable to NOT get at least a spoonful of everything offered at the potluck.

Especially here in the South, folks will “honey” you and feed you until there’s really no choice but to grin and bear it. Bless their hearts! 😉

Let’s just say, that experience made me determined to never be that person with the mystery meatballs. haha!

One thing you don’t have to worry about with these Slow Cooker Party Meatballs is having to convince your guests to eat them.

I guarantee they will gobble these up and be looking for more. Made with the Best BBQ Sauce, and a few other magical ingredients, they’re so tasty!

 

A white bowl filled with Slow Cooker Party Meatballs is sitting on a white plate with fresh sage branches around it. There is a red, blue, green, yellow and tan plaid cloth under the plait and everything is sitting on a wooden backdrop.

 

How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Party Meatballs

If you really want simple and easy, I suggest using pre-cooked frozen meatballs for this recipe.

I used a 1 pound bag of frozen, Premium Angus Meatballs to make these Slow Cooker Party Meatballs super easy and convenient.

It’s important to note here that you do not use Italian or Swedish meatballs for this recipe due to the different seasonings that will be added into those meatballs.

Just look for plain, beef or pork meatballs and you’ll be good to go. Sam’s brand is the one we use and love.

 

A small black slow cooker is filled with frozen meatballs.

 

The Best BBQ Sauce for Crockpot Meatballs

Here’s where part of the magic happens. We love to use the Best BBQ Sauce (also known as Head Country Bar-B-Q) for these Crockpot Meatballs.

I used 1 1/2 cups of Head Country Original Bar-B-Q Sauce for this recipe and let me tell ya, it really just gives these meatballs a wonderful flavor!

Head Country Original Bar-B-Q Sauce isn’t overly sweet so it really combines well with the other ingredients added to make the perfect sauce for these Party Meatballs.

If you’ve ever wondered where to find the Best BBQ Sauce, look no further because this truly is the Best BBQ Sauce in my opinion!

 

A bottle of Head Country Bar-B-Q Original Sauce is being held on the left hand side of the frame with a clear, glass bowl beneath it filled with the Best BBQ Sauce.

 

Taking your Crockpot Party Meatballs to the Next Level

Add in 3 tablespoons of grape jelly, 2 cap-fulls of apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 cup of water.

This is going to be the sauce your Crockpot Meatballs cook in, and it is a winning combination if I do say so myself!

 

A clear, glass mixing bowl is sitting on a black counter top filled with the Best BBQ Sauce, grape jelly, and apple cider vinegar. A bottle of apple cider vinegar, a bottle of Head Country Bar-B-Q Original Sauce, and a jar of grape jelly is placed behind the mixing bowl.

 

Five Ingredients Slow Cooker Party Meatballs

After all of your ingredients have been added to the mixing bowl, stir and whisk them together.

You probably won’t be able to totally liquefy the grape jelly, but just whisk it in as best you can so that only tiny lumps remain.

Don’t worry, they will blend together as it all cooks which will eliminate any jelly lumps.

 

A clear glass mixing bowl with sauce in it and a metal whisk resting inside the bowl.

 

The Best BBQ Sauce Makes the Best Slow Cooker Meatballs!

Pour your magic elixir sauce over the frozen meatballs in the slow cooker.

Place the lid on the slow cooker and set the cook time to high 4 hours or low 6 hours.

That’s it! Yes, this recipe really is that simple! Now you can go prepare for your Holiday guests while the slow cooker does the work. 😉

 

A black slow cooker with frozen meatballs inside is resting on a black counter top. A hand is coming out of the left hand side of the frame holding a clear glass mixing bowl and pouring sauce over the meatballs.

 

Fast and Easy Cocktail Meatballs

Once the cooking time is complete, remove the lid from the slow cooker and turn the heat off or set it to “keep warm”.

Stir the Cocktail Meatballs in the sauce and place in a medium sized bowl or platter to serve them.

I live to serve the sauce they cooked in on the side as a dipping sauce because it’s just so good!

I also suggest setting a little container of toothpicks nearby so your guests can easily serve themselves.

 

A small, black slow cooker filled with cooked, Slow Cooker Party Meatballs covered in the Best BBQ Sauce, grape jelly, water, and apple cider vinegar that has been mixed together to create a beautiful, red sauce.

 

Appetizers that Pair Perfectly with Slow Cooker Party Meatballs

Since you’re probably serving these Slow Cooker Party Meatballs at a party, I’ve included some other great appetizers to consider.

We love this Easy Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip and these Cranberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels.

A few more great appetizers include this Chili’s Queso Dip Recipe, Pigs in a Blanket Appetizer, and this Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip.

 

A white bowl sits on a white plate with fresh Thyme sprigs around the bowl. The bowl is filled with cooked Slow Cooker Party Meatballs coated in a red sauce. A bottle of Head Country Original Bar-B-Q Sauce is placed behind the bowl and a plaid cloth can be seen near the BBQ sauce. Everything is on a wooden backdrop.

 

Slow Cooker Cocktail Meatballs are the Life of the Party

No matter what type of party you’re throwing, I can assure you these tasty Cocktail Meatballs will be the center of attention.

I love making party appetizers in the slow cooker because it makes my cooking effortless and easy, not to mention it keeps the food warm too!

Do you have some party tips or tricks? Feel free to share them in the comment section below! I love hearing from you!

 

A hand is coming out of the right hand side of the frame and is holding a toothpick with a Slow Cooker Party Meatball on the other end.

As always, I am grateful to you for stopping by to spend some time with me in my kitchen today.

I hope this Holiday season finds you happy and healthy and that you have fun cooking for your family and friends.

Cooking is such a great way to express our love for those we care about and I love how good recipes can bring us all together!

Merry Christmas, friend!

-Amy

 

 

 

A white bowl filled with Slow Cooker Party Meatballs sits in the foreground on top of a white plate that has fresh sage branches around it. A bottle of Head Country Bar-B-Q Original Sauce is sitting in the background and a plaid cloth is underneath the plate and bottle. Everything is on a wooden backdrop.
5 from 1 vote
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Slow Cooker Party Meatballs

Slow Cooker Party Meatballs are a fast and easy party appetizer, made with only 5 ingredients and cooked to perfection in your slow cooker. 

Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Crockpot Meatballs with The Best BBQ Sauce, Five Ingredient Slow Cooker Party Meatballs, Slow Cooker Party Meatballs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings 42 meatballs
Author Amy - The Speedy Spatula

Ingredients

  • 1 lb frozen Premium Angus Meatballs
  • 1 1/2 cups Head Country Original Bar-B-Q Sauce
  • 3 tbsp grape jelly
  • 2 cap fulls apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  1. Place the frozen meatballs in a 2 quart or larger slow cooker.

  2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the BBQ sauce with the grape jelly, vinegar, and water.

  3. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and pour over the meatballs in the slow cooker.

  4. Place the lid on the slow cooker and set the cook time to high 4 hours or low 6 hours.

  5. Once cooked, turn the heat off and remove the lid.

  6. Stir the meatballs and then place in a serving bowl or on a platter to serve.

Recipe Notes

NOTE: I do not recommend using Italian or Swedish meatballs for this recipe. You need plain, angus beef meatballs. Sam's brand has a great option for this! 

TIP: Have some toothpicks handy for guests to easily serve themselves.

TIP 2: These meatballs taste great dipped in the sauce they cooked in or in Ranch or Blue Cheese dressing. 

Shared at Full Plate Thursday

Shared at Meal Plan Monday

Also shared at Foodie Friday

View at Weekend Potluck

Also view at What’s for Dinner

December 4, 2018 By
8

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8 Comments

  • Reply
    Miz Helen
    December 9, 2018 at 3:12 pm


    A great recipe and easy way to prepare this awesome party food! Hope you have a great week and thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday!
    Miz Helen

  • Reply
    Emily
    December 9, 2018 at 3:47 pm

    Looks delicious, Amy! Perfect for a buffet at a party or for movie night!!

  • Reply
    Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
    December 16, 2018 at 6:43 am

    I’m running way behind!! I wanted to make sure I stopped by to thank you for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party last week. Hope to see you there again this week!

  • Reply
    Gayle Shepherd
    December 17, 2018 at 2:58 pm

    Where do you find the

    Where can I find this BBQ sauce? Can you use another kind? What do you recommend? Thanks

    • Leave a Reply