Introduction
BBQ meatballs made in a crockpot are a delicious and easy dinner idea that the whole family will love. The rich, smoky barbecue flavor pairs perfectly with tender, juicy homemade meatballs. By making them in the crockpot, you get wonderfully moist meatballs in a flavorful barbecue sauce, without having to slave over the stove.
This recipe uses basic ingredients that most people have on hand – ground beef, breadcrumbs, an egg, and seasonings for the meatballs. For the BBQ sauce, you’ll need ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, and other standard pantry items.
Cooking the meatballs in the slow cooker allows the sauce to simmer for hours, letting the tastes blend together. The meatballs come out incredibly tender from the lengthy cooking time. Whole meal prep takes just 10-15 minutes of active working time. Then you simply let the crockpot do the rest of the work!
Below you’ll find tips for making the best BBQ meatballs along with step-by-step instructions. Soon you’ll be enjoying tender, juicy meatballs bathed in rich homemade barbecue sauce.
Benefits of Making BBQ Meatballs in the Crockpot
Hands-off cooking – Once you assemble everything in the slow cooker, it cooks unattended for 4-6 hours. No need to slave over the stove or oven.
Perfectly tender meatballs – The lengthy cooking time ensures moist, tender meatballs that hold together well. No dry, tough meatballs here!
Big batch cooking – You can double or triple the recipe for meal prepping or big family dinners.
Kid-friendly meal – Kids of all ages love these saucy, flavorful meatballs. It makes a great family dinner.
Easy to transport – Bring the crockpot of meatballs to a potluck or party for easy serving. The sauce keeps the meatballs from drying out.
Delicious leftovers – Leftover meatballs keep well for a few days in the fridge. Reheat and serve on sandwiches or with pasta.
Tips for the Best BBQ Meatballs
Follow these tips for tender, juicy meatballs bathed in richly flavored barbecue sauce:
- Don’t overmix the meatball mixture – Mix it just until combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Wet your hands before shaping – This prevents sticking as you roll the meatballs.
- Use fresh, soft breadcrumbs – They help bind the meatballs so they hold their shape.
- Cook low and slow – Letting them simmer for 4-6 hours results in the most tender meatballs.
- Make the sauce from scratch – Homemade sauce has SO much more flavor than store-bought.
- Add sauce ingredients slowly – This allows you to tweak flavors to your taste preferences.
- Let sauce simmer – Long cooking concentrates flavors for a richer tasting sauce.
- Don’t peek! – Opening the crockpot releases heat and moisture. Resist lifting the lid!
Now let’s get into the step-by-step instructions for making perfect crockpot BBQ meatballs!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
For the BBQ Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Meatball Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
- Gently mix with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking. Shape into 1 1/2-inch balls.
- Place the shaped meatballs in the slow cooker insert.
Make the BBQ Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire, chili powder, mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the sauce over the meatballs in the crockpot.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
Finishing and Serving:
- Carefully transfer the meatballs to a serving platter using a slotted spoon.
- Turn the crockpot up to HIGH. Allow the sauce to simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes to thicken.
- Pour the desired amount of thickened barbecue sauce over the meatballs and serve.
- Enjoy immediately, or let the meatballs cool completely before refrigerating.
Now that you know how easy it is to make BBQ meatballs in the crockpot, let’s go over some serving ideas and frequently asked questions.
Serving Suggestions
BBQ meatballs are extremely versatile. Here are some ideas for how to serve them:
- On small buns as sliders or mini sandwiches
- Over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta
- On skewers with vegetables as an appetizer
- On a pizza
- Sprinkled over a salad
- In subs or hoagie rolls for a hearty sandwich
- As an appetizer with toothpicks
- On nachos or loaded baked potatoes
The options are endless! The zesty barbecue flavor complements so many ingredients. Get creative with how you serve these crowd-pleasing meatballs.
FAQs
Still have some questions about making BBQ meatballs in the crockpot? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
Should I brown the meatballs before putting them in the crockpot?
Browning is optional and adds nice color, but not necessary. The slow cooking will fully cook meatballs without browning first.
How long is the total cook time?
Cook on LOW setting for 4-6 hours. Quicker cooking may lead to undercooked centers. The sauce takes 10-15 minutes to thicken at the end.
Can I double or triple the recipe?
Absolutely! Just use a larger crockpot if needed.Cooking time will remain the same.
What sides go well with crockpot meatballs?
Mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, corn on the cob, crusty bread, and salad are all great pairings.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Cooked meatballs freeze wonderfully for 2-3 months. Cool them completely before freezing. Reheat gently in the sauce.
Can I substitute ground turkey or chicken?
Yes, you can use ground turkey, chicken or a turkey-chicken blend. Cook time may vary slightly.
I hope this article answered all of your questions about making tender BBQ meatballs easily in the crockpot. This recipe is sure to become a new family favorite! The prep work is quick and easy, letting the slow cooker do most of the work for you.
Enjoy mouthwatering BBQ meatballs simmered slowly in a homemade sauce for the perfect amount of richness and smoky barbecue flavor. Dinnertime just got a whole lot easier thanks to the crockpot. Dig in!