Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Meatballs
Tender meatballs simmered in a sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce, perfect for parties or casual dinners. This easy slow cooker recipe requires minimal prep and delivers big flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (low) or 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 20-24 meatballs (about 6-8 servings) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 1 cup (100 g) breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix gently until just combined, about 3-5 minutes.
- Roll the mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs, about 20-24 meatballs. Place on a baking sheet or plate.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, and Worcestershire sauce. Adjust sweetness or tang if desired.
- Arrange meatballs evenly in the slow cooker. Pour the honey BBQ sauce over the meatballs and gently stir to coat without breaking them.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until meatballs are tender and fully cooked (internal temp 160°F/71°C).
- Before serving, gently stir meatballs and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
- If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes to thicken. If too thick, stir in a splash of water or apple cider vinegar.
Notes
Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender. Browning meatballs before slow cooking is optional but adds flavor. Adjust BBQ sauce and honey ratio to taste. If sauce is too thin at the end, cook uncovered on high to thicken. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and BBQ sauce for gluten-free version. Can substitute ground turkey or chicken for leaner meatballs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 meatballs
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Protein: 15
Keywords: slow cooker, honey BBQ, meatballs, party food, easy recipe, comfort food, BBQ sauce, crowd-pleaser