Sweet and spicy slow cooker meatballs will be a hit as an appetizer or as a main dish. They’re coated in a thick, spicy, and just sweet enough sauce that couldn’t be easier. Simple prep and minimal clean-up!
Meatballs in the slow-cooker aren’t an earth-shattering, revolutionary food. This we know. But these sweet and spicy slow cooker meatballs are a whole new ballgame…no grape jelly needed!
Of course, I do enjoy the the classic BBQ sauce/chili sauce and grape jelly combination that graces appetizer spreads all over, but I had a hankering for something a little different. Thankfully when it comes to slow cooker recipes, they tend to be forgiving when it comes to experimentation, so slow cooker meatballs v.2 was a go. Much better experimenting with savory food that just needs to heat rather than a finicky bread or cookie recipe, don’t you think?
Most of the time I don’t have a full jar of grape jelly hanging around, so for this off-the-cuff meatball recipe I wanted to use a combination of ingredients that tend to be pantry/fridge staples. A sweet and spicy sauce that’s at the ready + a monster bag of frozen meatballs in the freezer = a recipe for sweet and spicy slow cooker meatballs that can be thrown together whenever. And in my case, ‘whenever’ means once a week. 🙂
These sweet and spicy slow cooker meatballs are simple to prep and only require cleaning your slow cooker and measuring cups and spoons. All of the ingredients except the meatballs are added to your slow cooker and stirred until mixed. Then the frozen meatballs are added and stirred up so that they’re all coated with the sauce evenly. Set your slow cooker on low heat and come back in about four hours – you’re done!
I’m sure these meatballs would make excellent appetizers, but since (full disclosure) all of the times I’ve made a batch it’s only been the two of us here, we’ve been enjoying them as a main course. In these pictures I served them over couscous with extra sauce drizzled over top + a side salad, but there are a ton of options for serving. Rice, quinoa, directly from the slow cooker to your mouth…anything works.
One last note about the flavor. I used one tablespoon plus one teaspoon (the equivalent of four teaspoons) of hot sauce and I thought it added just enough heat. They’re definitely spicy, but they didn’t cross over into uncomfortable territory, thanks to the sweetness from the honey and molasses and tang from the apple cider vinegar. If you’re sensitive to spicy foods, I suggest added a teaspoon or two of hot sauce and then tasting to see if you’d like to add more. The reverse goes for those spice fanatics out there – add as much as you can handle, errr like!
If you’re like me and can’t get enough of your slow cooker, check out my Slow Cooker Recipes board on Pinterest and follow along!
Sweet and spicy slow cooker meatballs will be a hit as an appetizer or as a main dish. They’re coated in a thick, spicy, and just sweet enough sauce that couldn’t be easier. Simple prep and minimal clean-up!
- 1 3/4 cup BBQ sauce (14 oz)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tbsp molasses
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
- 2 lbs frozen, fully cooked meatballs (32 oz)
-
Add BBQ sauce, honey, molasses, apple cider vinegar, water, and hot sauce to a slow cooker. Whisk to combine.
-
Add meatballs and stir so that they are all coated evenly.
-
Cover and cook on low heat for 3 1/2 - 4 hours, or until meatballs are hot throughout and the sauce is slightly bubbly.
Add the meatballs to the slow cooker right out of the freezer! Just make sure you purchase the fully-cooked but frozen variety.
The nutritional info is estimated, but will vary depending on the BBQ sauce and meatball variety that you use. It also includes all of the sauce ingredients, of which there will likely be extra in the slow cooker that isn't consumed.
Mary says
I’d I wanted to double this (for 15-20 people) would I double all the ingredients?
Alyssa says
Hi Mary, I’ve never doubled the recipe, but if your slow cooker permits I’d say a safe bet would be to double everything. Making everything at this quantity does yield some extra sauce, though I love drizzling it over the meatballs and whatever starch I’m serving this with. You could try doubling the meatballs and only increasing the other ingredients by 1.5x or so, so long as the meatballs are covered in the sauce for cooking. That’s really the only thing (making sure the meatballs are covered for cooking). I hope that helps!
marcie says
There’s no possible way these wouldn’t be a hit for dinner or a party — I love that sweet and spicy thing! And the new look of your site looks great Alyssa! I especially love the photo of you and your dog. 🙂
Denise @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Can you believe I’ve never made meatballs in my slow cooker?! These look delicious, I just love those sweet and spicy flavors…and I love an easy recipe that you can just throw together!
Liz says
We all love meatballs around here! We’d happily finish this batch for dinner. Since grape jelly isn’t a staple around here, your recipe is perfect!
Catherine says
Dear Alyssa, this meatball dish looks fantastic! Easy and full of flavor, this would be perfect for gameday to get the crowd going. xo, Catherine
Alyssa says
I’m with you Catherine! I’d probably end up hovering over the slow cooker with a toothpick. 🙂 Thanks!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
These meatballs look perfect! I am all about slow cooker recipes these days. Can’t wait to make these!
Ashley says
This is such a great party idea! I haven’t done meatballs in the slow cooker in the longest time! And with a kick? Even better!
Alyssa says
I go long stretches without thinking of making them, but all of a sudden a craving will hit and I’ll want them all the time! I think I need to plan a get together just to have a legit excuse to make a big batch! haha
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Sweet and spicy sauces are always a good thing!! So yum!
Alyssa says
I agree, thanks Rebecca!