They’re equally as favored as Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Grape Jelly Meatballs, and Asian Meatballs.
We Love an Easy Appetizer!
These BBQ meatballs are paired with a sweet and savory variation that gets its zippy flavor from the combination of BBQ sauce and grape jelly. If I’m serving this as an appetizer, I either leave them in the crockpot and set a spoon out or if I’m being fancy, I plate them with toothpicks sticking out. Why we love them:
Any time. These crockpot BBQ meatballs are an easy appetizer or simple meal. Easy. We make it super easy by using frozen meatballs, homemade meatballs can be used if you want to go the extra mile. Make it a meal. For a main dish, I serve it with a side of White Rice. Either way, these are yummy!!
Ingredients
frozen meatballs – I used precooked frozen meatballs for ease, or you can easily use Homemade Meatballs using lean ground beef and ground pork. Cook before adding them to the crock pot or the meatballs will just fall apart. Turkey Meatballs and Porcupine Meatballs would also work. grape jelly – I have had success using both name-brand and generic jelly. Just use your favorite. BBQ sauce – Sweet Baby Rays is one of my favorite brands. Use your favorite sauce or even make Homemade BBQ Sauce. sweet chili sauce orange zest – Use this How to Zest a Lemon post for tips. salt and pepper – to taste (if needed)
How to Make Crock Pot BBQ Meatballs
Garnish with green onions, if desired. Oven/stovetop. After forming balls with your meat mixture, bake on a foil-lined baking sheet in the oven for about 20 minutes at 350°F. Add the cooked meatballs to a skillet with the BBQ sauce and simmer for 3-5 minutes, making sure the meatballs are well coated in the sauce.
With cooked meatballs, add the jelly, BBQ sauce, chili sauce, and zest in a large pot. Heat over medium-high heat and stir until bubbly. Stir in the meatballs and reduce the heat. Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until meatballs are completely warm throughout.
Recipe Video
