Sticky-Sweet and Crowd-Pleasing: Honey BBQ Crockpot Meatballs
Samantha
These Honey BBQ Crockpot Meatballs are a sweet and savory blend of frozen meatballs, smoky barbecue sauce, and rich honey—all simmered low and slow in your crockpot. Perfect for game day, potlucks, or quick dinners, this make-ahead recipe brings comfort food flavor with zero hassle.
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 hours hrs
Total Time 3 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings
Calories 210 kcal
- 32 oz frozen fully cooked meatballs
- 1 bottle 18 oz barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
- ⅓ cup honey
- ½ tsp garlic powder optional
- ¼ tsp chili flakes optional, for heat
Mix the SauceIn a bowl, stir together the BBQ sauce, honey, garlic powder, and chili flakes (if using). Add MeatballsPlace frozen meatballs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over the top. Toss to coat. Cook Low & SlowCover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until heated through. Stir & ServeStir before serving. Keep warm in the slow cooker for up to 2 hours on the “warm” setting.
Secret Tips for Honey BBQ Crockpot Meatballs
1. Use Bold, Thick BBQ Sauce: Thinner sauces can get watery in the crockpot. For maximum flavor and cling, go with a thick, smoky-style barbecue sauce—especially if you're not adding a thickener like cornstarch. Look for one that includes molasses or brown sugar on the label.
2. Sear Homemade Meatballs First: If you're using homemade meatballs instead of frozen, brown them in a skillet before slow cooking. This step adds a savory depth and helps them hold together during long cook times in the sauce—especially for turkey or plant-based meatballs.
3. Balance the Sweetness: Using honey can push the sauce toward sweet, especially if your BBQ sauce already includes sugar. To avoid overpowering the dish, try adding a splash of apple cider vinegar or Worcestershire sauce to cut through the sweetness and add umami.
4. Stir Midway for Even Coating: Set a timer to gently stir your meatballs halfway through cooking. This ensures every piece is coated in the sticky-sweet glaze and prevents sauce from burning around the edges of the slow cooker.
5. Finish with a Garnish: For flavor and presentation, top your honey BBQ crockpot meatballs with sliced green onions or parsley just before serving. It adds a fresh contrast to the richness of the sauce—and makes your dish more photogenic for sharing.
6. Thicken the Sauce at the End (Optional): If you prefer a thicker, clingy glaze, uncover the crockpot for the last 30 minutes of cooking or stir in a slurry of 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water. This is especially helpful if you’re serving these as a main dish over rice or mashed potatoes.
7. Double the Batch for Freezer Meals: Make a double batch and freeze half in individual meal prep containers. Reheat on low in the crockpot or microwave with a splash of sauce for a fast and flavorful lunch or weeknight dinner.Keyword bbq party meatballs, crockpot bbq meatballs recipe, easy game day appetizers, frozen meatballs in crockpot, honey bbq meatballs slow cooker, make-ahead bbq meatballs, slow cooker meatball appetizers, weet and smoky meatballs
