Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs
60 CommentsUpdated Jan 28, 2026
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Easy Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs only have 3 ingredients; Sweet Baby Rays, frozen meatballs and sweet onion. Your family is sure to enjoy the way these taste and you’ll love how easy they are to make!
Featured Comment
“I love this recipe! I have to add extra meatballs cause can down a dozen while putting it in a dish to serve for my guests. .. addicted!”
– Patricia
This dump-and-go crockpot recipe is super easy to prep. Fun finger foods like this make the perfect appetizer. Also, try slow cooker meatball sliders or my famous baby shower meatballs.
Key Ingredients
Frozen meatballs: Pick up a bag of the homestyle (or plain) variety from the freezer section of your local grocery store or make a batch of homemade meatballs.
Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce: What I love about this barbecue sauce is that it has a classic neutral flavor – not too smoky or too sweet, it’s just right.
Sweet Yellow Onion: I stick with my sister-in-law’s “secret” bbq meatballs recipe but I add diced white onion. Because if you love onions, they make everything better.
How to make Barbecue Meatballs in a Crockpot
- Toss the frozen meatballs, BBQ sauce, and diced onion into the crockpot and stir.
- Cook until hot and coated, giving it a quick stir now and then.
Tips & Variations
Any Flavor: Use your favorite barbecue sauce in this recipe and also you can use flavored barbecue sauces such as chipotle or spicy.
Grape Jelly: Sweeten these up by using half grape jelly and half barbecue sauce.
No Onion: Skip the onion if you have fussy eaters.
Add ins: Add a touch of molasses (about 2 tablespoons) for a touch of sweetness, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a change.
How to Serve Barbecue Meatballs
Appetizer: This crockpot meatball recipe is a versatile dish perfect for any occasion. Serve these savory meatballs as an appetizer with toothpicks for an easy party snack that’s always a favorite.
Main Plate: For a heartier meal, serve the meatballs over mashed potatoes or rice for a comforting dinner.
Sandwich: You can also turn them into sandwiches by adding them to slider buns or hoagie rolls. Top with cheese or your favorite sauce for a delicious, easy meal.
How to Store and Reheat Meatballs
Place them in an airtight container once they have cooled to room temperature. Refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze for up to three months, and ensure they are reheated thoroughly before serving.
Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs Recipe
How to Video
Ingredients
- 40 oz. frozen meatballs, (I use Safeway's Kitchen brand homestyle meatballs)
- 16 oz. Sweet Baby Ray's Original Barbecue Sauce
- 1 small sweet yellow onion, diced
Instructions
- Add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker.
- Add the diced white onion and barbecue sauce. Stir.
- Cover and cook on high for 2.5 hours or on low for 4 hours. Stir occasionally so the meatballs won't burn on the edges.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Stove Top Instructions
- Add everything to large stock pot. Cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. You know they are ready when they are hot.
To keep warm at a party:
- After the cooking time is up, set the slow cooker to the warm setting.
- The meatballs can be kept warm for up to 3 hours. Check on the meatballs occasionally and stir. Add a splash of water if sauce seems to be dry.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Meatball Recipes
Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs are a game day favorite and Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs are both sweet and tangy crowd-pleasers, perfect for parties or gatherings.
For a rich and creamy option, Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs offer a classic comfort food dish with a savory gravy.
Honey Garlic Meatballs bring a delicious balance of sweet and savory flavors, while Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs add an Asian-inspired twist.
If you’re craving Italian flavors, Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs makes an easy, hands-off dinner, and Slow Cooker Meatball Subs are perfect for a hearty, saucy sandwich.
Is it possible to cook frozen meatballs and barbecue sauce in oven and then put in crockpot to keep warm for serving.
Yes! That would work great!
My family is not a fan of the frozen meatballs. Can I use my homemade meatballs? If so, do I cook them first? Then freeze? Then follow the instructions?
I would brown them first at least, I’m unsure of the timing without testing.
If I am making a double dose, can I still put it all in one crockpot?
Yes! You may have to cook a bit longer.
Hello,
Any BBQ sauce you recommend that doesn’t have high fructose corn syrup in it considering Ray’s does?
Thank you…….Doug
I do not have a recommendation, you may have to spend some time at the store looking at labels.
I buy Fody Foods BBQ Sauce which has no high fructose corn syrup nor does it have onion or garlic for those of us on the low fodmap diet. You can easily purchase online.
Can you freeze and how long?
I would freeze for up to 3 months.
I have to eat what’s called low FODMAP and cannot have high fructose corn syrup, garlic, onion, dairy, among other things, and among the research I have done, I haven’t yet found a BBQ sauce that is high fructose corn syrup free. I do make my own, though, which is very, easy to do.
We have only found one comparable fructose-free barbecue sauce. It’s called Sonny’s, and it’s delicious! It’s sold by the Sonny’s restaurant chain in Florida, but we buy it at our local Sam’s Club.