Crockpot Bbq Meatballs: Low And Slow Cooking Time

how long to cook bbq meatballs in crockpot on low

Cooking times for BBQ meatballs in a crockpot vary depending on the recipe and the size of the meatballs. However, as a general rule, it takes around 3-4 hours to cook BBQ meatballs on a low heat setting. Some recipes suggest a cooking time of up to 8 hours on a low setting, but this is at the higher end of the spectrum. It's important to ensure that the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160ºF to be safe for consumption.

Characteristics Values
Time 3-8 hours
Meatball size 1-2 inches
Meatball weight 1-1.5 pounds
Meat type Beef, turkey, chicken, pork, venison, elk, or a combination of beef and pork
Meat fat content 75% lean/25% fat, 80% lean/20% fat, 85% lean/15% fat, or 93% lean/7% fat
Broil Yes or no
Breadcrumbs Italian seasoned, Italian, panko, gluten-free oats, or rice
Egg Yes or no
Cheese Parmesan
Sauce BBQ, tomato, marinara, cranberry BBQ, honey garlic, mushroom, sweet and sour, or pineapple

shungrill

How to make BBQ meatballs in a slow cooker

Ingredients

  • Ground beef
  • Onion
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Garlic
  • Parsley
  • Eggs
  • Cheese (optional)
  • BBQ sauce
  • Salt and pepper
  • Other seasonings (optional)

Method

  • Add ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, eggs, and cheese (if using) to a large bowl.
  • Mix the ingredients with your hands until combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this will make the meatballs tougher.
  • Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. You can wet your hands with water to help with rolling.
  • If you want to, you can broil the meatballs on a baking sheet before adding them to the slow cooker. This helps to keep the juices inside and gives them a nice caramelization.
  • Place the meatballs in the slow cooker.
  • In a separate bowl, mix BBQ sauce with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you want to add.
  • Pour the sauce over the meatballs.
  • Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
  • Serve as an appetizer or with rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta.

Tips

  • You can use either lean or fattier ground beef. However, if you use fattier ground beef, note that more grease may drain out into your sauce.
  • You can also use ground turkey for a leaner option.
  • You can prepare the meatballs the night before and refrigerate them until you're ready to cook.
  • If you want to make a larger batch, use a larger slow cooker. This will ensure that the meatballs heat through properly and that the sauce becomes thick and sticky.
  • You don't need to stir the meatballs while they're cooking. In fact, stirring too much will cause them to break up.
  • You can freeze any leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Variations

  • You can use frozen, pre-made meatballs instead of making your own. Just make sure they're fully cooked before adding them to the slow cooker.
  • You can also make the meatballs with a combination of ground beef and ground pork for extra tenderness and flavor.
  • For a healthier option, try using turkey meatballs or a lower-sodium BBQ sauce.
  • To make grape jelly BBQ meatballs, combine grape jelly and BBQ sauce in the slow cooker, then add the meatballs and cook as usual.
  • You can also replace the grape jelly with pineapple or honey for a healthier alternative.

shungrill

How long to cook BBQ meatballs on high

Cooking BBQ meatballs on high in a crockpot typically takes around 3 to 4 hours. However, it's important to ensure that the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160-165°F to guarantee they are cooked thoroughly.

  • Gather your ingredients, which typically include ground beef, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, a medium yellow onion, garlic, parsley, and BBQ sauce. You can also add eggs and cheese to your meatball mixture for extra flavour and binding.
  • In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, parsley, and any other desired ingredients. Mix well until evenly combined.
  • Shape the mixture into meatballs. The size of the meatballs may vary depending on your preference, but typically they are formed into 1-inch or 2-inch balls.
  • Place the raw meatballs into the bottom of your crockpot. You can also choose to brown the meatballs first in a frying pan or under the broiler to sear the outside and lock in the juices. However, this is not necessary, and the meatballs can be cooked directly in the crockpot.
  • Pour your favourite BBQ sauce over the meatballs. You can use store-bought BBQ sauce or make your own homemade sauce. Ensure that the meatballs are fully coated in the sauce.
  • Cover the crockpot and cook the meatballs on high for 3 to 4 hours. Check the meatballs occasionally to ensure they are cooking evenly and reach the desired temperature.
  • Once cooked, serve the BBQ meatballs as an appetiser or make them into a meal. They go well with mashed potatoes, pasta, or in a meatball sub.

By following these steps and adjusting the cooking time as needed, you can enjoy delicious, tender, and juicy BBQ meatballs cooked to perfection in your crockpot on high.

shungrill

How to make grape jelly and BBQ meatballs in a slow cooker

Ingredients

  • 1 (18-ounce) jar grape jelly
  • 1 (18-ounce) jar BBQ sauce
  • 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen fully cooked meatballs (about 50)
  • Optional: Cooked rice, sliced green onions

Method

  • Add the grape jelly and BBQ sauce to the bottom of your slow cooker and stir to combine.
  • Add the meatballs to the slow cooker and stir until they are fully coated in the sauce.
  • Cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or on low for 3 to 4 hours, stirring a few times throughout.
  • Serve as an appetizer or over rice with sliced green onions as a main dish.

Tips

  • You can use Smucker's grape jelly and Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce for best results.
  • If you want to make your own meatballs, combine ground beef, Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, a medium yellow onion, garlic, parsley, and an egg in a large bowl. Mix well and shape into 16 meatballs.
  • You can cook the meatballs in the slow cooker with the sauce on low for 6 to 8 hours.
  • To thicken the sauce, mix together a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water) and stir it into the sauce.

shungrill

How to make frozen meatballs in a slow cooker

Ingredients

  • Frozen meatballs (store-bought or homemade)
  • BBQ sauce
  • Grape jelly
  • Marinara sauce
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Eggs
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper
  • Minced garlic
  • Minced onion
  • Parsley
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Olive oil
  • Rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta to serve

Method

This is a simple, versatile recipe that can be adapted to your taste. You can use either store-bought frozen meatballs or make your own and freeze them.

To make your own meatballs, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, minced onion, parsley, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well, then shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Broil the meatballs on a baking sheet until browned on each side, then set aside.

Once your meatballs are ready, add BBQ sauce, grape jelly, and Worcestershire sauce to your slow cooker and stir to combine. Carefully place the meatballs into the sauce, ensuring they are fully coated.

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Do not stir the meatballs during this time, as this will break them up.

Serve the meatballs as an appetizer or with rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a hearty meal.

Tips

  • Use lean ground beef to avoid too much grease in your sauce.
  • If using homemade meatballs, ensure they are fully cooked before adding to the slow cooker.
  • Check the internal temperature of the meatballs before serving—they should be at least 160ºF.
  • You can also cook frozen meatballs in a slow cooker with marinara sauce or gravy. Simply replace the BBQ sauce and grape jelly with your preferred sauce and follow the same method.
  • If you want plain meatballs, add a cup of water or beef broth to the slow cooker to prevent them from drying out.

shungrill

How to make meatballs in a slow cooker with no sauce

Ingredients

  • Ground beef
  • Breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned)
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Parsley
  • Egg

Method

  • Place the ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, parsley, and egg in a large bowl.
  • Mix well until evenly combined.
  • Shape the mixture into meatballs.
  • Place the raw meatballs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours if you're in a hurry, or for up to 6-8 hours if you want to leave them to simmer for longer.
  • Serve as an appetizer or make into a meal by serving with pasta, mashed potatoes, or in a meatball sandwich.

Tips

  • You don't need to brown or pre-cook the meatballs before placing them in the slow cooker.
  • If you want to reduce the fat content, you can brown the meatballs in a frying pan first.
  • If you want to add sauce, simply pour it over the meatballs before cooking.
  • If you want to add cheese to the meatballs, Parmesan works well.
Crockpot BBQ Pork: A Simple, Tasty Guide

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Frequently asked questions

It takes around 3-4 hours to cook BBQ meatballs in a crockpot on low. However, if you are cooking a larger batch, it may take up to 1-3 hours longer.

No, you don't need to cook the meatballs beforehand. However, browning them first will help keep the juices inside and add flavour to the sauce.

Yes, you can use frozen meatballs instead of making your own. However, make sure they are fully cooked to avoid them falling apart in the sauce.

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