These flavor-packed Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs will be a hit at your next gathering. Just 5 minutes prep time is all that’s needed!
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This sauce… this sauce is quite possibly one of my favorite sauces EVER. Well of course it is, it has bourbon! Bourbon has a natural sweetness that perfectly complements the sauce without being overpowering.
I admit that if you taste the sauce after combining all the sauce ingredients, it does taste overpowered with bourbon. But by the time it simmers on low for 4 hours the alcohol cooks out… how much alcohol cooks out, I don’t know.
All I can say is that it tastes phenomenal. If you’re concerned with any alcohol remaining, I would play it safe and not serve to minors or anyone avoiding alcohol.
What to serve with Bourbon Meatballs:
Serve these meatballs on their own as a hearty appetizer or for dinner with mashed potatoes and a veggie (I love them with rice, too!). They’re also great on sub rolls topped with shredded mozzarella, Parmesan or provolone cheese.
How do these meatballs taste?
Sweet, smoky, savory, tangy… I could go on and on. You can’t eat just one!
Print
Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups prepared barbecue sauce (I used hickory and brown sugar flavor)
- 1 cup bourbon
- ½ cup honey
- â…“ cup molasses
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 pounds fully cooked frozen meatballs, thawed
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (if desired)
Instructions
- Stir together barbecue sauce, bourbon, honey, molasses, chili sauce and Worcestershire sauce in a medium bowl until combined.
- Place meatballs in your slow cooker insert. Cover with sauce and stir to coat meatballs evenly.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 4 hours.
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving, if desired.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cook
- Cuisine: American
Hannah
I don’t know what I did wrong but the bourbon (Knob Creek) was very strong even though I cut it down to 3/4 cup. It was unanimous that it was just too strong.
Dana
You didn’t cook it long enough or not hot enough. Bourbon taste will cook off. I’m not sure what Knob Creek, so I looked up and it’s 100 proof way too strong for cooking.
Chris
Can you swap out the bourbon for something non alcoholic?
Karen
Excellent. The sauce was delicious. I omitted the garlic chili sauce but added a bit of siracha.
Angie
These were very flavorful, tender and the sauce was perfect as mentioned for mashed potatoes. I chose chicken meatballs from Costco. It always scares me to not make something exact, especially the 1st time, however they were incredible. I served mine with stuffed mushrooms, they were a nice compliment. I was also thinking cheesy grits sometime would probably pair nicely. A great party idea.
Dee
I made these today for a dine around at camp and they were a HUGE hit!!
My crock pot was empty!!
The redhead cook
Made these at home a day ahead exactly as written. Served these the first night after a day in the road in our RV for a Kentuck Derby party of 10 other RVers. Reheated in the crock pot, and served with purchased mashed potatoes, salad, and biscuits with butter and honey. A huge hit! And so easy!! Definitely will make again.
Lorrie
I followed recipe w/a few changes. No molasses, added Mike’s Hot Honey 2 tbs, 1/2 minced red onion, no salt Creole seasonings for Marti gras party. Delicious. High heat 5 hrs..
Linda Wallis
I have made these twice for super bowl game night and had a lot of complements. I made these as directed and this time I doubled the recipe because I didn’t have enough meatballs and that was the only complaint that I got. These meatballs are so delicious thank you for your recipe,
S