Description
This Slow Cooker Sweet & Savory Meatballs recipe combines tender frozen meatballs with a luscious sauce made from barbecue sauce, grape jelly, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and spices. The slow cooking method lets the flavors meld perfectly, creating a crowd-pleasing appetizer or satisfying meal when served over rice. Easy to prepare with minimal hands-on time, it’s ideal for busy days or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 2 pounds frozen fully cooked meatballs
Sauce
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 3/4 cup grape jelly
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, grape jelly, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine meatballs and sauce: Place the frozen meatballs in the slow cooker and pour the prepared sauce over them. Stir gently to coat all meatballs evenly.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on the low setting for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours. Stir once or twice during cooking to keep the sauce evenly distributed around the meatballs.
- Keep warm and serve: Once the meatballs are heated through and coated in the sauce, switch the slow cooker to the warm setting. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- You can use homemade meatballs instead of frozen; brown them before adding to the slow cooker for added flavor.
- For a spicy variation, add a dash of hot sauce or sprinkle in red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
- These meatballs make great appetizers or serve them over cooked rice for a full meal.
