Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs


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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!

overhead shot of slow cooker bbq meatballs.

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

ingredients for slow cooker bbq meatballs recipe on a table.

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.

overhead of bbq meatballs in a slow cooker.

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.
close-up overhead of slow cooker bbq meatballs in a white bowl.

Recipe FAQs

How long can I keep meatballs in the slow cooker?

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.

How do I store leftovers?

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.

serving of slow cooker bbq meatballs on top of mashed potatoes on a plate.
meatballs in a slow cooker with bottle of barbecue sauce and toothpicks on the side.

Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs Recipe

5 from 8 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 10
Throw barbecue meatballs in the crockpot with onions and sauce, let them simmer until tender, and enjoy an easy, flavor-packed dish!
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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

Calories: 381kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 530mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Vitamin C: 1.9mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

More Meatball Recipes

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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.

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Recipe Rating




60 Comments

  1. Lynn says:

    Would like to make these for a large gathering. Can I triple the amount of meatballs in the slow cooker? Will I need to adjust cooking time? Should all the meatballs be covered with sauce at all times? Does the sauce start to dry out when kept on warm for a few hours? Thanks for your help!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      You can do as many fits. You may need to add an hour cooking time. Stir occasionally. If they look dry add a splash of water or more barbecue sauce.

  2. Rhona says:

    I am very anxious to make the frozen meatballs in the Crocker pot. I only have a red onion. Should I wait and buy a small sweet onion like the recipe calls for ?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Red onion will work well!

  3. Limor says:

    Can you cook them in a regular pot on stove if so help

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, that will work great.

  4. Carrie says:

    5 stars
    Hi Sarah! Excited to cook this but one question. If I cook only HALF recipe how long do I cook?? STILL 2.5 hours on high?? Many thx.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I still would. Especially if you add the onions.

      1. Carrie says:

        5 stars
        No you now OFFICIALLY R my “crockpot QUEEN”!!!!!!! Thx for quick reply and all my Truly Live-ON recipes !!!!!!

      2. Sarah Olson says:

        Haha! Glad to have you here.

  5. Madison says:

    Can they be stored in the refrigerator afterwards for what’s left over and heated up in the microwave the next day? if so how long are they good for in the refrigerator?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      They are fine to put in the refrigerator, I wouldn’t keep for more than 4 days.

  6. Russ says:

    Also works with No-Sugar Added Sweet Baby Ray’s for those watching sugar/carb intake!

    As the BBQ flavor is overpowering for some, I’ve modified adding half the bottle of BBQ sauce and a can of tomato sauce. I also throw in some sweet peppers.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Great ideas, thank you.

  7. Linda says:

    Hi -I need to bring these to a party 2 hours away.Can I make them in crockpot day before transport cold in a cooler then reheat in crockpot ?
    I recently had these at a birthday party and they Delish !!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I would thaw the meatballs on your trip and cook them there. Reheating will take almost as long as the recipe.

    2. Tiffany says:

      Add sweet baby rays bbq and a jar of grape jelly . It is so so so good

      1. Marilyn says:

        Have a recipe using the grape jelly – really hated it, why I am here looking for an alternate!

    3. Heather Boyce says:

      Take them in the crockpot with the lid on. Wrap it in 2 layers of foil, then, two towels. They don’t have to be steaming hot when you arrive at the party.

  8. Cornell says:

    5 stars
    So I tried this recipe mainly because I had a bag of frozen meatballs in the deep freeze. AnyWHO! Used half of that bag, some frozen chop onion from the farmers market and a mixture of my two fav bbq sauces. WOOOOWWW! Thought at first first it was not going to work when I did a stir as suggested after a while but in the end of the suggested cooking time it all came together. Came off as a comfort food to me.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      So great to hear! It’s amazing what only a few ingredients can do in the slow cooker.

  9. Lacie Turner says:

    Can these be made with meatballs that are not frozen?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes. They will work great. You will have to test out the timing and make sure they cook in the middle.

  10. Frank Twigg says:

    5 stars
    I have tried your recipe very good. I am on salt free so I had to look for salt free sauce. On potatoes great on rice aha .! so I tried with Mac and cheese (home made) great