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Honey BBQ Crockpot Meatballs


  • Author: Christine
  • Total Time: 3 hours and 15 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground beef (or turkey for a lighter option)
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if preferred)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup milk

For the Honey BBQ Sauce:

  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (choose your favorite brand or homemade)
  • 1/4 cup honey (for that perfect sweetness)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (adds a slight tang)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (for acidity)

Instructions

Prepare the Meatballs

  1. Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, oregano, and milk. Mix everything together until fully incorporated. Try not to overwork the mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
  2. Form the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should end up with approximately 20-25 meatballs, depending on size.
  3. Brown the Meatballs (Optional): If you prefer your meatballs with a bit of a crispy exterior, heat a little oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, working in batches if necessary. This step is optional, as the crockpot will cook them perfectly even without browning, but it adds extra flavor.

Prepare the Honey BBQ Sauce

  1. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the BBQ sauce, honey, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Stir until smooth and well combined.

Cook in the Crockpot

  1. Add Meatballs to Crockpot: Place the meatballs in the bottom of your crockpot. Pour the honey BBQ sauce over the meatballs, making sure they’re all coated.
  2. Cook: Set the crockpot on low and cook for 2.5 to 3 hours. The meatballs should be fully cooked through, and the sauce will have thickened and become beautifully sticky.
  3. Serve: Once the meatballs are ready, serve them as an appetizer with toothpicks or over rice, mashed potatoes, or even in a sandwich for a main dish.
  • Prep Time: 15 min.
  • Cook Time: 3 hours (on low)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4-6 servings
  • Calories: 250 calories per serving (based on 1/6 of the recipe)
  • Fat: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 15g