Description
These Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs are tender, flavorful meatballs simmered in a rich and tangy bourbon-infused barbecue sauce. Perfect for easy party appetizers or a comforting family meal, they deliver a delightful blend of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors with minimal prep and fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 2 cups prepared barbecue sauce (hickory and brown sugar flavor recommended)
- 1 cup bourbon
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup molasses
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Meatballs
- 2 pounds fully cooked frozen meatballs, thawed
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, bourbon, honey, molasses, sweet chili sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well until all ingredients are fully blended into a smooth sauce.
- Prepare Meatballs: Place the thawed fully cooked meatballs into the slow cooker insert in an even layer to allow for uniform cooking.
- Add Sauce to Meatballs: Pour the prepared bourbon barbecue sauce over the meatballs and use a spoon or spatula to gently stir, ensuring each meatball is evenly coated with the sauce for maximum flavor.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the meatballs on low heat for 4 hours. This allows the meatballs to heat through and absorb the rich flavors of the bourbon sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and fresh flavor before serving. Serve warm as an appetizer or main dish.
Notes
- Use fully cooked frozen meatballs to save time and ensure they don’t overcook during the slow cooking process.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase the amount of sweet chili sauce or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- For a non-alcoholic version, replace bourbon with additional barbecue sauce or apple juice.
- Stir meatballs gently halfway through cooking if your slow cooker tends to cook unevenly.
- These meatballs are excellent for parties and can be kept warm in the slow cooker for serving over several hours.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
