Save It Sweet, tangy, and irresistibly easy, these cherry BBQ meatballs are the perfect party appetizer or family dinner: bold flavors with minimal effort and budget-friendly ingredients.
I first made these meatballs for a football party, and they quickly disappeared from the buffet table: even picky eaters went back for seconds, which is always a win in my book.
Ingredients
- Meatballs: 32 oz (900 g) frozen fully cooked meatballs
- Barbecue sauce: 1 cup (250 ml) your favorite brand
- Cherry preserves or jam: 1 cup (290 g)
- Apple cider vinegar: 2 tbsp (30 ml)
- Brown sugar: 1 tbsp (15 g)
- Garlic powder: 1/4 tsp
- Onion powder: 1/4 tsp
- Ground black pepper: 1/4 tsp
Instructions
- Make the sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, cherry preserves or jam, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth.
- Prepare meatballs:
- Place frozen meatballs in the bowl of a slow cooker.
- Coat meatballs:
- Pour cherry BBQ sauce mixture over meatballs, stirring gently to coat all meatballs evenly.
- Slow cook:
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours, or until meatballs are heated through and sauce is thick and glossy. Stir once or twice during cooking if possible.
- Serve:
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Save It This recipe has become a surprising favorite at our family reunions: a dish everyone expects and requests year after year.
Required Tools
Slow cooker (4-quart or larger), mixing bowl, whisk, measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (if meatballs have breadcrumbs). May contain soy, egg, or milk: always check ingredient labels if you have allergies.
Nutritional Information
Each serving has about 340 calories, 13 g fat, 41 g carbohydrates, and 15 g protein.
Save It You can keep these meatballs warm right in the slow cooker for serving: expect them to be the first to disappear at any gathering.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make these meatballs from scratch?
Yes, homemade meatballs can be used instead of frozen ones. About 2 pounds (900 g) cooked will work well in this slow-cooked dish.
- → What can I substitute for cherry preserves?
Grape jelly is a classic alternative that maintains the sweet and tangy profile of the sauce.
- → How long should I cook the meatballs in the slow cooker?
Cook on LOW for 3 hours until the sauce is thick and glossy and the meatballs are heated through thoroughly.
- → Can I add spice to the sauce?
Yes, adding 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce gives a pleasant kick without overpowering the sweet flavors.
- → Is this dish suitable for dairy-free diets?
Yes, this preparation naturally avoids dairy ingredients, but check meatball and sauce labels for hidden allergens.