Sticky BBQ Slow Cooker Meatballs

Crockpot BBQ Meatballs are made with just a few simple ingredients, but they’re so good! The barbecue sauce turns into a thick, sticky glaze – perfect for a party appetizer.

Ingredients

To make the meatballs

1 pound lean ground beef

1 large egg

1 teaspoon mustard

⅓ cup finely chopped onion OR shallot

⅓ cup bread crumbs

¼ teaspoon dried parsley optional for more flavor

¼ teaspoon dried garlic powder optional for more flavor

salt & pepper to taste

To make the sauce

1 cup barbecue sauce

1 teaspoon ground paprika smoked or regular both work

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

½ teaspoon salt or less to taste

Instructions

Make meatballs: To make the meatballs, mix all ingredients in a large bowl (I use a hand mixer with the dough hook attachements for easy and mess-free work) and shape into small meatballs. I use 1 teaspoon meat mix per meatball for a good appetizer size; make sure to firmly shape the meatballs or they disintegrate in the sauce.

Cook meatballs: Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat and add some oil. Cook the meatballs until browned on the outside and entirely cooked through. OR bake the meatballs at 425°F for 10-12 minutes.

Slow cook with sauce: Once the meatballs are cooked, mix all sauce ingredients together in a 3-4 quart slow cooker. Add the meatballs and cook on low for 3-4 hours. The meatballs keep in the slow cooker for another 1-2 hours.