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These slow cooker bourbon BBQ meatballs are the perfect holiday appetizer. They are easy to make and packed full of bourbon BBQ sauce flavor.
If there is one thing I love more than anything else, it’s party meatballs. That is why I knew I had to update this old bourbon BBQ meatballs recipe and give it a fresh 2024 spin.
Want to know what that spin was? Heating it all in the slow cooker! It makes these meatballs perfect for parties and holiday meals. I should also add these meatballs are also excellent when eaten as dinner spooned over rice.
The base of the sauce is storebought BBQ sauce, which I added extra flavor to by pouring in bourbon, brown sugar, molasses, garlic, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes.
It’s the perfect combination of flavors to create the easiest BBQ meatball recipe EVER.
These meatballs are a fantastic option for Thanksgiving and Christmas appetizers, New Year’s Eve parties, or any other potluck dinner or party.
Ingredients needed
- Frozen beef meatballs
- BBQ sauce
- Bourbon
- Molasses
- Brown sugar
- Grated onion
- Garlic
- Dijon mustard
- Crushed red pepper
My Pro Tips
Bourbon BBQ meatballs recipe tips
Use a frozen beef meatball with no added specialty spices like Italian seasoning.
You can substitute turkey meatballs for beef.
Use an unsulphured molasses, NOT blackstrap molasses.
Add up to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper if you want a spicier BBQ sauce.
I’m using store-bought Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce as the base of my sauce.
After cooking, if you want a looser sauce, add a little beef stock.
FAQ’s
More appetizer recipes
Bourbon BBQ Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen beef meatballs, fully cooked
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- ⅓ cup bourbon
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 tablespoon grated garlic
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Add frozen meatballs to the crock of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl whisk together bbq sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, molasses, grated garlic, Dijon mustard, and crushed red pepper.
- Add the sauce to the crock and toss to combine.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 4 hours.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Normally I wouldn’t waste good bourbon on anything, but these meatballs look worth it. Gorgeous!
You’re right, I do love them. ESPECIALLY when associated with the word bourbon. YUM.
Giiiiiirrrllll. These look like 50 need to be in my mouth right now. Meatballs are my appetizer weakness.
Appetizers are the best part about the holidays. Love these bbq meatballs. Pinned.
We serve cocktail meatballs every year for our Christmas party. I’m going to have to try out this recipe!
Pass me the plate ; )
I love pigs in a blanket but I would take a plateful of these meatballs any day. . oh my gawd, these look so good!! You make delicious food, yo!!! love these!
I always head straight for the meatballs, and these are some of the most beautiful ones I’ve seen
These look so crazy good!!!
You make me so hungry, and I love that about you!!! These look incredible.