Slow Cooker Party Meatballs

Meatballs are classic party food and they’re always a welcome addition to the menu. These made-from-scratch Slow Cooker Party Meatballs are cooked entirely in a slow cooker. Simmered on low in a sweet and spicy sauce they’re ideal for game day snacks, parties and potluck gatherings.

Easy Slow Cooker Party Meatballs Recipe

When time is a factor, I think it’s perfectly fine to utilize quality frozen meatballs. I’ve done so myself from time to time for a timesaver. This Slow Cooker Party Meatballs recipe is for those moments you want to go the extra mile and make them yourself. As we all know, homemade is best. When making meatballs from scratch, you can control the amount of salt and seasonings and personalize the flavor to your taste. It’s also a perk that you can use ingredients that you already have on hand and stocked in your pantry. How to make Crockpot Party Meatballs: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

• Prepare Slow cooker – Spray the inside of a 6 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Set aside. 
• Meatball Mixture – Mix together the beef, sausage, breadcrumbs, buttermilk, onion, eggs, parsley, worcestershire, seasoned salt and garlic. Mix until ingredients are evenly distributed. 
• Form Meatballs – Roll into 1-inch balls. Arrange in the slow cooker.
• Sauce – In a small bowl whisk together the barbecue, chili sauce, pineapple preserves, Dijon, garlic salt, onion powder, pepper flakes, cumin and chipotle powder. Mix well, then pour evenly over meatballs.
• Cover and Simmer – Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or until meatballs are cooked through and no pink remains.
• Skim Fat – Use a large spoon to skim any fat from the top at the end of cooking.
• Use tomato paste to thicken sauce at the end of cooking, if desired.
• Gently stir meatballs to coat with sauce. Keep warm until serving. 

How to Make the Best Slow Cooker Party Meatballs

• Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Slow Cooker Party Meatballs: Ground beef, Italian sausage, panko breadcrumbs, buttermilk, diced onion, large eggs, Italian parsley, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt and garlic.
• For the sauce you’ll need: Barbecue sauce, chili sauce (i.e. Heinz) pineapple preserves (apricot or orange preserves would also work), Dijon mustard or whole grain mustard, garlic salt, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, cumin, chili powder and tomato paste for thickening the sauce at the end of cooking.
• Kitchen tools you’ll need: Large bowl, sharp knife and cutting board, slow cooker, cheese grater, measuring cups and spoons.
• If you’re unable to find pineapple preserves, apricot or orange preserves work well in the sauce for these meatballs.
• When starting this, or any recipe with uncooked meatballs, it’s important to use lean ground beef and high quality sausage to decrease the amount of fat that cooks into the sauce. Fat adds flavor, but once the meatballs are cooked it needs to be removed.
• How do you skin the fat from the meatballs? It’s simple to use a large spoon to skim the fat from the top at the end of cooking before thickening the sauce with tomato paste.
• You can use as little or as much tomato paste as you like. One tablespoon is a good starting point simply repeat adding more until you’re pleased with the thickness.
• Store cooked Party Meatballs chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop in a saucepan over medium heat just until heated through.

More Easy Slow Cooker Meatball Recipes to Make

Meatballs are classic party fare and other recipes you may like to try are my Jamaican Jerk Meatballs and Slow Cooked Asian Meatballs with an Orange Chili Sauce. A couple of other tasty meatball recipes to look at are these holiday Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs from Real Housemoms.

More Easy Appetizer Recipes to Make

Appetizers aren’t just for special occasions but they are an  important part of entertaining year round whether it’s the holidays, graduation parties, backyard picnics and beyond. More easy appetizer recipes you may also like to make:

• Five minute Restaurant Style Salsa.
• Delicious Crab Rangoon will rival any you can buy at at restaurant.
• Supreme Pizza Pull Apart Bread is ideal for casual entertaining.
• Homemade Cheese Stuffed Pretzel Bites.
• Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are delicious dipped in bleu cheese or ranch dip.
• Air Fryer Shrimp are perfectly seasoned and ready to devour.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Slow Cooker
• Kitchen Utensils
• Knives and Chopping Board
• Measuring Set