Best BBQ Crockpot Meatballs

I want to share with you today my trusted recipe that I always keep on hand for something comforting and stress-free when I need to feed a crowd. These BBQ Crocokop Meatballs are ideal for game nights, friend gatherings and family dinners. The recipe takes just 10 minutes to prep and the rest of the work is done by the slow cooker.

Slow cooker meatballs in barbecue sauce.

There is nothing more satisfying than just tossing a few ingredients in the crockpot and end up with an incredibly delicious meal. I love meatballs, they are always a crowd pleaser, they can be served as an appetizer, main meal, stuffed into sandwiches or hoagies, the possibilities are endless. I usually make a double batch of my restaurant style meatballs and freeze them for recipes like these BBQ Crockpot meatballs. Such a life changing kitchen hack!

Whether you are meal prepping, need an effortless family dinner, or entertaining, these BBQ meatballs are always a hit. They are tender and juicy, and coated in the most delicios sweet and savory sauce, made with barbecue sauce and orange marmalade. Cozy and satisfying, this is a recipe I never get tired of.

A bowl of juicy BBQ crockpot meatballs.

Why you will love this recipe 

  • Just one pot: I love only having one pot to clean. And when I use a crockpot liner, it makes it so much easier.   
  • There are just six ingredients: To make things even easier, there are only six ingredients. They are all inexpensive, too, so this whole recipe will cost me less than $10 to make. 
  • Serve 10 people: Perfect for game day, as it allows me to serve more than 10 people. I usually double the recipe because we often have a lot of people over. 
  • Leftovers can be frozen: If you have leftovers, they can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. I pack them in a freezer bag, and they take up hardly any room. 

What you will need

Overhead shot of BBQ crockpot meatballs ingredients in bowls on a table.
  • Fully cooked frozen meatballs: I usually use my homemade meatballs or buy a bag of frozen meatballs if I don’t have any on hand. 
  • Sauces: I use my homemade barbecue sauce, which is tangy, sweet, slightly spicy, and easy to make with just a handful of ingredients. Additionally, sweet chili sauce offers a sweet and spicy flavor profile with a smoky undertone. 
  • Orange marmalade: My secret ingredient. Many people use grape jelly as their secret ingredient, but I like orange. The taste is crisper and more refreshing without being too sweet.  
  • Orange zest: Another secret ingredient to add a bit of extra orange zestiness. 
  • White vinegar: This vinegar provides a tangy bite to balance out the sweetness. 

How to make 

Mix the sauce: First, I combine the BBQ sauce, orange marmalade, chili sauce, vinegar, and orange zest in a medium bowl. 

BBQ and orange marmalade sauce for meatballs.

Cook the meatballs: Then, I spray the slow cooker with oil, add the meatballs and sauce, and let it cook for two hours on high before serving with diced green onions.

Overhead shot of BBQ crockpot meatballs in the slow cooker.

Expert tip

Fresh or frozen meatballs

I usually prefer to use fresh ingredients in my recipes. However, if I use my fresh meatballs, they have to be browned and cooked first, or they will lose their shape. I usually make my meatballs the day before and refrigerate them so they’re ready for cooking. For those who prefer to skip the extra work, purchasing meatballs in a bag is acceptable. Just be sure to get good ones. 

One of the most popular frozen meatballs sold in the United States is Rosina Italian style. These are juicy and have a good meaty flavor. Pineland Farms is another excellent choice, offering an outstanding flavor. Others I have tried that taste good are Trader Joe’s, Cooked Perfect, Rao’s, Hannaford, and Bove’s. 

More tips to consider

  • Instead of spraying the slow cooker, sometimes I use a slow cooker liner. 
  • Don’t let the liquid in the crockpot get too thick. Add more as needed. 
  • If using frozen meatballs, they do not need to be thawed.
  • When using fresh meatballs, be sure to brown them first to prevent them from falling apart. 
  • Do not leave meatballs out for longer than two hours after they are cooked.  
A ladle of crockpot bbq meatballs.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

  • Different meatballs: Instead of beef, I sometimes use chicken or turkey meatballs to make this dish. 
  • Spicy meatballs: To please my spicy food lovers, a pinch of red pepper flakes and a tablespoon of Tabasco sauce make these meatballs pleasantly hot. 
  • Asian meatballs: For an Asian twist, I like to add ¼ cup of teriyaki sauce and ¼ cup of soy sauce. 
  • Other sauces: Skip the BBQ sauce and the orange marmalade and use Hoisin sauce, Szechuan sauce, Asian orange sauce, or General Tso sauce
  • Hawaiian meatballs: For a fruity kick, I sometimes add pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and ginger. 
Sticky BBQ crockpot meatballs.

Serving suggestions:

My favorite way to serve these is for appetizers right out of the crockpot. I provide toothpicks for easy serving. I also set out a few packs of slider buns so guests can make their little meatball sliders. For the vegetarian folks, I make some quick cucumber sandwiches. Speaking of sandwiches, these meatballs also make the perfect meatball subs on hoagie rolls. I top them with shredded mozzarella and broil them for a few minutes so they are crispy and have a melted texture. 

Another way I enjoy serving these meatballs is in this meatball-stuffed cabbage dish. I use my BBQ meatballs to replace the traditional sauce in the recipe, and they taste incredible. I also use them as a main entrée with corn on the cob and mashed potatoes, roasted cabbage, and a creamy corn salad.

How to store leftovers:

  • Refrigerate: Pack leftover BBQ crockpot meatballs in a sealed container, and it can be refrigerated for several days.  
  • Freezing: To freeze leftovers, I pack them in freezer bags, which allow for storage of up to three months.   
  • Defrost: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best flavor.
  • Reheating: They can be reheated in the oven for 10 minutes at 350°F or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.   
A bowl of bbq meatballs in a bowl.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my BBQ crockpot meatballs falling apart?

This happens when making fresh meatballs and not binding them well enough. This is likely due to overmixing the meat, not shaping the meatballs tightly enough, or not adding enough breadcrumbs or eggs. If they are too loose, they will fall apart. Additionally, if they are not cooked for long enough, they will not hold together. Be sure to use the correct ratio of binder to meat, chill the meatballs before cooking, and then let them set overnight before adding them to the sauce. 

Why are my BBQ meatballs hard and dry?

They are probably overcooked. Cooking them for too long can cause them to dry out. Even when cooked low and slow in a crockpot with barbecue sauce, any meat can become dry if it is cooked for too long. Since these are already cooked meatballs, simmering them in the sauce is simply to allow them to soak in the sauce long enough to absorb the flavor. Ensure the crockpot is set to low and cook for no more than two hours. 

Why are my meatballs so sticky?

If the sauce is overcooked, the liquid thickens excessively and turns into a glaze. This will make it overly sticky. When the liquid evaporates and the sauce becomes concentrated, the sugar caramelizes, making everything sticky. The best thing to do is to add more liquid. A little bit of broth or water will help. 

How do I make my meatballs less sweet?

The problem is likely that the barbecue sauce you chose contains too much sugar. This, paired with the orange marmalade and sugar, will make the sauce very sweet. Cutting the sugar in half will help. If it has already been added, try adding something with acidity, such as lemon juice or vinegar. A pinch of chili powder, garlic, or onion will also help even out the sweetness.

Homemade barbecue crockpot meatballs.

More efforless slow cooker recipes to try:

Loved this recipe? I’d love to hear from you! 💛 Leave a 5-star rating ⭐️ in the recipe card below and share your thoughts in the comments – I read and appreciate every single one!

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crockpot meatballs

Best BBQ Crockpot Meatballs

BBQ Crockpot Meatballs take only 10 minutes to prepare, are tender and juicy, and are coated in a delicious sweet and savory sauce.
5 from 10 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: BBQ Crockpot Meatballs
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 547kcal

Ingredients

  • 32- ounce bag frozen fully cooked meatballs about 40-50
  • 2 cups orange marmalade
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup sweet chili sauce
  • zest of one orange
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Garnish:

  • Diced green onion

Instructions

  • Combine the orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, chili sauce, orange zest, and vinegar in a medium bowl, stirring well.
  • Spray the slow cooker base with cooking oil.
  • Add the meatballs and pour the sauce over them. Gently stir to combine.
  • Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 547kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 929mg | Potassium: 416mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 69g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1.3mg
5 from 10 votes

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25 Comments

  1. I love to make meatballs in the crockpot.  I like to make and freeze my meatballs ahead and pull them out when needed.  Such a time saver.

  2. I love making meatballs in the crockpot and I’m always on the hunt for new recipes. I’m an orange marmalade kind of girl so this one looks like a winner! Yum!5 stars

  3. Oh my gosh, yum, I need to make these for sure. My husband would be a fan. He’s all about BBQ stuff. And I love when I can use my crockpot.5 stars

  4. This recipe looks so yummy. I love that it’s made in the crockpot. My family loves BBQ recipes and is going to love this one. 5 stars

  5. Yum! Talk about a delicious appetizer idea. My mom’s birthday is this weekend and these would make an amazing addition to her party menu.5 stars

  6. I love meatballs! I have never tried them with jelly. I am scared they will taste too sweet. Maybe one day I will get enough courage to try it

  7. That looks super good! I know I would love these meatballs. I want to eat them all and then drink the sauce. Yummy!5 stars

  8. Good thing I was able to see this today. My husband is requesting me to prepare something for him. I guess he will be surprised if I prepared this one. 

  9. Oh yum, these look so good! I also like that they are made in the crockpot, that makes them really easy to make! This is a great recipe and food option to take to someone’s house for a party, easy potluck option.5 stars

  10. I like the idea of starting with frozen meatballs and then kicking it up a notch. These look really good and easy to make!

  11. Food cooked slowly in a crockpot is always delicious. Your meatball recipe looks delicious and perfect for the cooler weather.

  12. We have meatballs at every single family gathering. This is a different recipe than we use. I will try this next time and see what everyone thinks!

  13. Mmm, now I want to make these. I’m going to pick some ingredients up tonight and make them for tomorrow. Look so good!5 stars

  14. These looks delicious I love that we can make it in bulk especially for get together or regular meal. Love the addition of barbecue sauce.5 stars

    1. Not “fishy”, I have millions of readers, many of them check my new recipes daily and since they love my recipes, they comment on new ones.

  15. I’ve made them! I used to make the classic meatballs just using bbq sauce/chili sauce with grape jelly and my husband got tired of that. I tried this recipe and he liked it better so now this is the recipe I use when we make crockpot meatballs! 🙂5 stars