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
- ⅓ 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
Keywords: slow cooker bourbon meatballs, bourbon meatballs crockpot
Christa says
Made these for the derby party, spectacular! My family loved these. The sauce was sweet and tangy. I used a hot honey to add a little kick.
★★★★★
Amy says
Thank you Christa – so happy to hear everyone enjoyed the meatballs at the party!
Laurie says
I can sum this up in one word; YUMMMMM!
★★★★★
Angie says
Delicious! Served these at a football/birthday party and they were a huge hit! Easy to make and no last-minute prep. The perfect appetizer!
★★★★★
Adrienne says
What brand BBQ Sauce did you use to pair with the bourbon?
Amy says
Hi Adrienne, I normally use hickory smoke or regular BBQ sauce in this recipe. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Lynda says
Could you substitute rum for the bourbon?
★★★★★
Amy says
Hi Lynda, I’ve only used bourbon in this recipe so I can’t say with 100% certainty. Let me know how it turns out if you try it!
Tonya B says
What brand of bourbon did you use?
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Hi Tonya, I used Evan Williams bourbon in this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite. I hope you enjoy the meatballs! 🙂
Diane Davis says
Can you use turkey meatballs?
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Hi Diane, I’ve never tested this recipe with turkey meatballs, so I can’t say how it would turn out (but wouldn’t hesitate to try it) – Let us know how it turns out if you try it! 🙂
Brenda B. says
Do you use Italian flavored meatballs or just plain?
Thanks!
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Hi Brenda, I used plain meatballs in this recipe. I think Italian would probably be delicious as well, but can’t say with 100% certainty because I haven’t tried it with them. Let us know how it turns out if you try using the Italian meatballs! 🙂
Melle says
Can you do this with the meatballs straight out of the freezer? How long do you thaw them?
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Hi Melle, I haven’t tested this recipe with frozen meatballs so I can’t say with 100% certainty. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help and I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
Barbara says
I use frozen meatballs right from freezer in crockpot. Just takes a little longer.. like 3 hrs.
Jacquline Wilson says
You can put the meatballs in frozen. Not a problem. Ive made meatballs in the crock pot many times and there is not issue with them being frozen. This recipe sounds yummy and I am making them for our family Christmas party. Cant wait…
Wendy says
i need to make a few pounds of these and they don’t fit in my slow cooker can they be made in the oven? Appetizers for a wedding
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Hi Wendy, I haven’t tested this recipe in the oven so I can’t say with certainty. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Jasmine Goon Chew says
Could you please tell me the brand of meatballs you use , I have never seen frozen meatballs, not sure if we have them in Townsville,Australia.
If I could find them cooking would so much easier.
Thankyou for sharing your yummy recipes.
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Hi Jasmine, I don’t have a particular brand in general that I use – Here is an article on different brands that were tested for taste, I hope it helps and I hope you enjoy the bourbon meatballs!
Diana E Cratty says
Look in your freezer area. You may have lambmeatballs but you could use those as well.