Last updated on April 2nd, 2020 at 04:48 pm

Steakhouse BBQ Meatballs are tangy, spicy, and a little smoky. This meatball appetizer comes together quickly and will disappear just as fast!

What can you fix with BBQ meatballs? How about this Cherry Pretzel Salad Dip, some Pie Crust Crackers, and a Limoncello Lady Cocktail!

Crockpot bbq meatballs

How often do you use your crockpot, slow cooker, or instant pot?  I love to use my crockpot at least once or twice a week.  In Arizona, it’s so hot and I really hate having to use my oven and heat up the house even more.

It’s almost too hot to grill outside but I would rather the heat be out of the house instead of in it.

One of my favorite things to make in my crockpot is chicken and rice.  It was Braxton’s favorite and so easy to make!  But now that school is back in session, I am turning my attention to the upcoming holiday season.  And all the holiday parties and yummy appetizers that come with them.

Which brings me to the subject of this post…MEATBALLS!

If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this delicious easy Steakhouse BBQ Meatballs recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.

Crockpot meatball recipe

Before you grab your Crockpot or Slow Cooker and get ready for a rockin’ party, let’s talk meatballs first.  You can certainly make your meatballs from scratch if you are so inclined. 

And for this recipe, they need to be fully cooked and frozen or at least chilled.  This recipe is not for cooking meatballs from the raw state!  Here is a great recipe for homemade meatballs that is perfect for these BBQ Meatballs.

Once the meatballs are made, frozen, and ready to go, we can start making these tangy and spicy meatballs that are going to WOW your guests.

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Easy crock pot meatballs

The easiest crockpot meatballs are the ones that only have three ingredients.  The most popular being the chili sauce and grape jelly recipe. 

I admit that I love this one too and it works for every occasion, but sometimes I like to spice things up.  Just like my Sriracha Snack mix and my Redneck Snack mix, I like to spice things up without being too fancy.

Trying to come up with a name for this recipe, I almost went with Redneck BBQ Meatballs but I have had a few comments on my use of the term “redneck” before.  I decided with Steakhouse BBQ Meatballs because this recipe uses my All-Purpose Steakhouse Seasoning Mix.

These meatballs use a few more than 3 ingredients but they are all pretty standard so you won’t have to buy anything funky.  Everyone I know, except us, has ketchup in their fridge. 

And most of my readers will have A1 steak sauce too.  Molasses is a pantry staple so I am pretty sure that you have this too.  The only thing that you might not have is Liquid Smoke.

Liquid smoke is totally optional for this recipe but I do love the extra smokiness that it brings to table.

Can you add the meatballs to the crock pot while frozen?

Yes you can!  Just be sure that the meatballs have been cooked previously.  I like to use precooked meatballs from the store but you can make your own too!

How long can you cook the meatballs in the crockpot?

The most I would cook these is 3 hours on high or 5 hours on low.  After that, the sauce will start to over thicken.

Can I keep the leftover sauce for something else?

You certainly can!  This sauce is amazing and is great on chicken too.  Just be sure to store it properly and to reheat fully before eating.

Crockpot appetizer meatballs

All of these ingredients are great on their own, but when you mix them together they make the best sauce!  Tangy, spicy, smoky, and brings up visions of summer BBQs and grilling with my family. 

What a great vision to have when the weather turns cold and you are dreaming of summer days again.

Toss your frozen meatballs in the slow cooker, crockpot, or instant pot.  Mix the sauce together and pour over the top.  Stir to cover them evenly and turn the heat too high. 

Cook on high for 2-3 hours or if you are prepping a little ahead, cook on low for up to 5 hours.

Make sure you give them a stir every hour to make sure the meatballs get evenly heated and let the sauce get all warm and yummy.  Serve with toothpicks or forks if you like!

Looking for other crockpot appetizers to take to a party you’ve been invited to?  How about a quick appetizer you can make ahead of time for a get-together that you are hosting and are already stressed to the max? 

Check out these recipes to fit your special occasion!

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Other great party meatballs to try!

• Honey Mustard Meatballs
• Pineapple Ginger Meatballs
• French Onion Meatballs
• Nashville Hot Chicken Meatballs
• Tangy Sweet Crockpot Meatballs

Easy bbq meatball recipe

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