Save to Pinterest 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 discovered this recipe while searching for memorable slow cooker meals to bring to potlucks. Not only are these meatballs simple to prepare, they always disappear quickly and get rave reviews from everyone who tries them.
Ingredients
- Frozen fully cooked meatballs: 32 oz (900 g), keep frozen until ready to use
- Barbecue sauce: 1 cup (250 ml), use your favorite brand for best flavor
- Cherry preserves or jam: 1 cup (290 g), can substitute grape jelly for a classic twist
- Apple cider vinegar: 2 tbsp (30 ml), adds tangy balance to the sauce
- Brown sugar: 1 tbsp (15 g), for subtle sweetness
- Garlic powder: 1/4 tsp, enhances savory notes
- Onion powder: 1/4 tsp, brings depth to the sauce
- Ground black pepper: 1/4 tsp, adds mild spice
Instructions
- Make the cherry BBQ sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, cherry preserves, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth.
- Layer the meatballs:
- Place frozen meatballs in the bowl of a slow cooker.
- Combine and coat:
- Pour the cherry BBQ sauce mixture over the meatballs, stirring gently to coat all meatballs evenly.
- Cook and stir:
- 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 and garnish:
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy as an appetizer with toothpicks or as a main dish over rice.
Save to Pinterest This recipe has become a staple at our weekend family movie nights. There's always eager anticipation when the slow cooker lid comes off, and everyone dives in for seconds before settling onto the couch together.
Required Tools
To prepare these meatballs, you'll need a 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker, a mixing bowl, a whisk, and standard measuring cups and spoons for accurate sauce blending.
Allergen Information
Wheat may be present if meatballs contain breadcrumbs: verify packaging for additional allergens like soy, egg, or milk, and always read the ingredient label if you have sensitivities.
Nutritional Information
Each serving (about 1/6 of the recipe) contains approximately 340 calories, 13 g total fat, 41 g carbohydrates, and 15 g protein.
Save to Pinterest Serve these meatballs fresh from the slow cooker for best flavor, and enjoy the crowd-pleasing cherry BBQ twist that brings everyone back for more.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of meatballs work best?
Fully cooked frozen meatballs are convenient and work well, but homemade or fresh meatballs can also be used for a personalized touch.
- → Can I substitute cherry preserves?
Yes, grape jelly or other fruit preserves offer a pleasant alternative, maintaining a sweet and tangy balance with the BBQ sauce.
- → How long should the meatballs cook?
Cooking on low heat for about 3 hours allows the sauce to thicken and the meatballs to become tender and flavorful.
- → Is it possible to make the sauce spicier?
Adding crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce provides a subtle heat that complements the sweet cherry flavor nicely.
- → What are good serving suggestions?
Serve these meatballs as appetizers with toothpicks, alongside rice, or paired with fresh herbs like parsley for garnish.