This easy crockpot BBQ Meatballs recipe could not be more simple with homemade or store-bought meatballs, cooked in a simple BBQ cranberry sauce. They are sweet, tangy, and the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer!
Crockpot BBQ Meatballs prepped in 5 minutes.
Crockpot BBQ Meatballs prepped in 5 minutes.Everyone loves an appetizer of warm meatballs and I love a crockpot appetizer I can prep ahead and forget! This has got to be the easiest appetizer out there since you just toss everything in the slow cooker and walk away. You can use frozen store-bought meatballs (I recommend the Costco brand) or make and freeze homemade meatballs. It takes just 5 minutes to throw everything in, then come back when it’s time to enjoy them.
Don’t miss my other appetizer recipes, like Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, Pizza Sliders, Toasted Ravioli, and Air Fryer Chicken Wings! If you’re hosting Game Day, check out the Top 5 Superbowl Foods.
How to make BBQ meatballs:
Make Sauce: Pour frozen meatballs in slow cooker and mix together cranberry sauce, cocktail sauce, brown sugar, water, and bbq sauce.
Cook: Pour sauce over meatballs and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Serve and enjoy!
Storing and Reheating Instructions:
Store leftover crockpot bbq meatball leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
To Reheat: Add meatballs and sauce to a saucepan and reheat on the stove until warm.
Recipe Variations:
- Stovetop Instructions: Pour bbq meatball sauce ingredients into a saucepan, stirring until smooth. Add the meatballs and toss them in the sauce. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes if the meatballs are thawed, 14-16 minutes for frozen meatballs.
- Meatballs: I recommend pre-cooked frozen meatballs for this recipe. I like to make a big batch of my homemade meatballs and keep in the freezer to make this recipe anytime. If you want to use fresh uncooked meatballs, I recommend using a lean meat or else it will add extra grease to the sauce.
More Recipes with Meatballs:
- Hawaiian Meatballs
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Instant Pot Pasta and Meatballs
- One Pan Meatball Casserole
- Meatball Subs
- Swedish Meatballs
- Air Fryer Meatballs
- Meatballs Arrabbiata
- Mediterranean Meatball Bowl
- Green Curry Meatballs
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Recipe
BBQ Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 50-60 frozen meatballs (store bought or homemade)*
- 14 ounce whole cranberry sauce
- 12 ounces cocktail sauce , or homemade
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- green onion , finely chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Spray the bottom of your slow cooker lightly with cooking spray. Add frozen meatballs to the bottom of pot.
- In a large bowl, stir together cranberry sauce, cocktail sauce, brown sugar, water, and barbecue sauce then pour over meatballs.
- Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.
- Serve warm garnished with chopped green onions, if desired. You could also serve over rice.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe October 2016. Updated October 2020 and January 2025.
This post contains affiliate links.
What is cocktail sauce?
Here is our homemade cocktail sauce: https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/shrimp-cocktail-sauce/. They also sell bottled versions in the grocery store.
How many pounds of meatballs are used in this recipe? I was able to find pre-cooked 1/2 ounce meatballs (specifically for appetizers), vs the usual 1 ounce. So the number of meatballs would be twice as many if you are referring to the larger ones? Also with the smaller meatballs, should l slow cook for less time?
TIA😋🎄🎁
Hi Margot, I use about 2lbs of medium-size frozen meatballs. If the meatballs are small they won’t take as long to cook.
Recipes look fun. I liked to try new fun dishes. I like to make dishes for my grandsons to try. I’m 84 year and a widow I ask them give me your opinion do I make it again.
A crowd pleaser!
Could I use currant jelly with this recipe instead of cranberry sauce? Would that mix well with the rest of the ingredients?