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Sticky BBQ Slow Cooker Meatballs: A Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer Recipe!

These Sticky BBQ Slow Cooker Meatballs are a mouthwatering appetizer that your guests will love. The combination of juicy ground beef meatballs and a sticky, sweet, and tangy BBQ sauce makes this recipe a surefire hit
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 137
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatballs:
  • 500 grams lean ground beef
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion or shallot
  • 1/3 cup bread crumbs
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley optional for more flavor
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried garlic powder optional for more flavor
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce:
  • 240 grams barbecue sauce
  • 1 teaspoon ground paprika smoked or regular both work
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or less to taste

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients and mix well.
  2. Form the mixture into small meatballs (about 1 teaspoon each).
  3. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat and add some oil. Cook the meatballs until browned on the outside and entirely cooked through. OR bake the meatballs at 425°F for 10-12 minutes.
  4. In a 3-4 quart slow cooker, mix all the sauce ingredients together. Add the meatballs and stir to coat them in the sauce.
  5. Cook the meatballs on low for 3-4 hours, until the sauce is thick and sticky.
  6. Serve hot as an appetizer or a main dish, garnished with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.

Notes

To make the recipe even easier, you can use store-bought BBQ sauce instead of making your own.
If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the sauce.
You can also make the meatballs in advance and freeze them for later use. Just thaw them before cooking with the sauce.