Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs
60 CommentsJan 08, 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.
Great food ideas thank you
I’ve actually done this a few times…My sister told me to try it and I was hooked! They are great on hogie buns with fries also…
I love this receipe! I have to add extra meatballs cause can down a dozen while putting it in a dish to seve for myguest. .. adicted!@
This is a keeper. I made it with my own meatballs. Was so pleased to find the Sauce in Woolies here in Australia. Thank you!
Sarah, I found this recipe in Milwaukee WI, Instead of using BBQ sauce on the meatballs, use a lg. bottle of Chili Sauce and 1/2 to 3/4 of Grape Jelly ( Lg. jar) on the meatballs. Delicious.
Yes! I’ve made that too! Sooo good.
I have made this with the BJ’s brand of Thai chili sauce marinade/sauce and OMG over jasmine rice. NIIIIICE!
I saw your recipe the other day, read the ingredients and have them ready to make the recipe.
I just noticed from your picture…that is a yellow onion, not a white onion.
Which is it supposed to be. They’re different flavors.
Thanx.
You can use either. But I fixed it. I used a sweet yellow onion
Have not made these but what I like about this recipe is the freedom it offers to complete other tasks. While these are stewing in the background, I can be making the balance of our meal, and loading the dishwasher. Diet multitasking!
I have found that after well cooked, most onions have the same flavor.
Is rays sauces smoked. We don’t like the smoked taste bu like the sweet taste
They have several flavors of Sweet Baby Rays, but the original is just kind of sweet. They have a hickory smoke, brown sugar something and sweet & spicy. Just pick your fav flavor.
break out the grape jelly to add to the BBQ sauce, i know sounds strange but it is a great additive.
I added two large spoonfuls of strawberry preserves. So amazing and so easy!
If you use grape jelly with BBQ sauce, how much?
Use the grape jelly and chili sauce. It is so good.
I’d like to make these as a half batch, as it is only for two people. Any thoughts on how that would affect the cooking time?
For a smaller batch enough for 2 people, you could half the batch. Will be just enough for you to eat for a meal and freeze some for another rainy day. You could also, microwave the meatballs arranged in a plate lined with paper towels, and put the onions, bbq sauce and meatballs in a saucepan, and slow cook for 30 mins. I basically prefer it on the stove if its a smaller batch instead of using power for 4 hours.
if we are making half the bag, do we cook for 2 hours on high or 4 on low in the crockpot?
You can do either! You can’t mess these up.
Can these be made with fresh ground chicken? Would you say 4 hours on low would be ok or longer?
Looks great, But, we can’t have ground beef. I have never seen frozen chicken meatballs.
I would definitely make these as we love Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauces.
I would do 5 hours on low for homemade meatballs.