Can I make Crockpot BBQ Meatballs ahead of time?

Yes! you can prepare the meatballs a day ahead and store them covered in the refrigerator until you're ready to brown and cook them. You can also freeze them. See my "Top Tip" for more information on how.

Can I cook raw meatballs directly in the corckpot?

I recommend browning the meatballs before adding them to the crockpot. Browning develops extra flavor and helps the meatballs hold their shape while slow cooking.

Can I make these BBQ meatballs in an Instant Pot?

Yes! Use the sauté function to brown the meatballs, then switch to the slow cooker function. Follow the recipe's slow-cooking instructions.

Crockpot BBQ Meatballs - Alaskan Skillet

Description

These Crockpot BBQ Meatballs are tender, flavorful and coated in a smoky BBQ sauce that makes them hard to resist! I'm pretty particular about my meatballs, so I took my time developing this recipe to make sure every bite was just right. These homemade meatballs are mixed with BBQ sauce, browned for extra flavor, then slow-cooked in my homemade smoky BBQ sauce until tender and delicious. Ready in just 2 hours, they're perfect for serving as an appetizer at your next gathering or over rice for an easy, satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
2 eggs
1/2 cup (130 grams) BBQ Sauce
1/3 cup (40 grams) breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon (5 grams) Montreal Steak Spice
1 1/2 cups (390 grams) BBQ sauce for pouring over the meatballs in the crockpot
2-3 tablespoons (25-40 grams) oil for frying

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Instructions

Add the meatball ingredients to a large bowl, reserving the additional 1 1/2 cups of BBQ sauce for the slow cooker. Mix until well combined.
Scoop 1-2 tablespoons of the meat mixture and roll into balls, keeping them as even in size as possible for consistent cooking.
Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides. Alternatively, use the sauté function on your Instant Pot. Work in batches as needed, keeping the meatballs in a single layer without overcrowding the pan.
Transfer the browned meatballs to the slow cooker and pour the reserved 1 1/2 cups of BBQ sauce over the top, evenly coating the meatballs.
Cover and cook on LOW for 1.5-2 hours or on HIGH for 1-1.5 hours, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160-165°F.
Serve the BBQ meatballs over rice for a satisfying meal or on their own as an appetizer. Add extra fresh BBQ sauce before serving if desired.

*All nutritional information is an estimation only. Exact nutritional value depends on exact amounts and ingredients used.

Notes

Don't skip browning the meatballs. This adds flavor and helps the meatballs hold their shape.

I don't recommend stirring the meatballs in the crockpot until they are fully cooked or nearly fully cooked as they can easily break apart otherwise.

USDA recommends cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Browning: 10-15 minutes
Cook Time: 1.5-2 hours
Category: Appetizer, Dinner
Method: Sautéing, Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American