Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs
60 Comments Mar 01, 2024
Updated May 05, 2025
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Easy Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs only have 3 ingredients (including Sweet Baby Rays) and are wonderful for a quick and easy appetizer or over mashed potatoes for dinner. Your family is sure to enjoy the way these taste and you’ll love how easy they are to make!
I stick with my sister-in-laws “secret” recipe but I add diced white onion. Because if you love onions, they make everything better. This dump-and-go crockpot recipe is super easy to prep and can be done in as little as 2 and a half hours. Fun finger foods like this make the perfect appetizer. Also, try slow cooker meatball sliders or my famous baby shower meatballs.
Key Ingredients
Only three ingredients are needed for this recipe. Find the full recipe in the recipe card below the images.
- Frozen homestyle meatballs: Pick up a bag from the freezer section of your local grocery store or make a batch of homemade meatballs.
- Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce: This sauce is already packed with so much flavor. You can also use your favorite barbecue sauce.
- Diced white onion: Adds flavor and texture to these delicious crockpot bbq meatballs.
Variations
Here are my approved adaptions for this recipe:
- Use your favorite barbecue sauce in this recipe and also you can use flavored barbecue sauces such as chipotle or spicy.
- Skip the onion if you have fussy eaters.
- Add a touch of molasses (about 2 tablespoons) for a touch of sweetness.
How to make Barbecue Meatballs in a Crockpot
Step One – Add frozen meatballs to the crock pot. Add the diced white onion and barbecue sauce.
Step Two – Stir until the ingredients are well combined.
Step Three – Cover and cook frozen meatballs and onions on HIGH for 2.5 hours or on LOW for 4 hours. Stir occasionally so the meatballs won’t burn on the edges. Serve and enjoy! You want the meatballs to be completely cooked, in fact, the longer they cook, the better they taste.
How to Serve
- 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.
- For a heartier meal, serve the meatballs over mashed potatoes or rice for a comforting dinner.
- 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.
Recipe FAQs
If you are serving these meatballs as an appetizer, you can keep them warm for about 3 hours by placing the slow cooker in the warm setting. Keep an eye on the meatballs and stir them occasionally and if the sauce seems to dry out, add a splash of water.
Place them in an airtight container once they have cooled to room temperature. Refrigerate up to 3-4 days, or freeze for longer-term storage, ensuring they are reheated thoroughly before serving.
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
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 as an appetizer with toothpicks or as dinner on top of mashed potatoes or rice. Or you can serve on slider or hoagie rolls.
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.
Sarah’s Notes
- Use your favorite barbecue sauce in this reicpe and also you can use flavored barbecue sauces such as chipotle or spicy.
- Place them in an airtight container once they have cooled to room temperature. Refrigerate up to 3-4 days, or freeze for longer-term storage, ensuring they are reheated thoroughly before serving.
- If you are serving these meatballs as an appetizer you can keep them warm for about 3 hours by placing the slow cooker to the warm setting. Keep an eye on the meatballs and stir them occasionally and if the sauce seems to dry out, add a splash of water.
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.