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!
PrintSlow 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
Nancy Hennessy
I realize after I made these I used chili sauce not sweet chili sauce. Will they be ok?
NHHiker
I followed this recipe using mini meatballs but the sauce was too liquid and strong after 4 hours. I drained the sauce and boiled it down on stovetop until it was much thicker. I then returned sauce to crock pot. The flavors were better blended and it was fabulous. Do you have the nutrition info?
Rita
Hi Amy,
Thank you for this great recipe. Are you please able to share your favorite brand of both the hickory smoked and the brown sugar bbq sauces? There is just so much variation out there and I feel so overwhelmed. Thank you in advance and I’m so excited to make these for the holidays. Seasons Greetings 🙂
Amy
Hi Rita, I when I buy bottled BBQ sauce I personally like Sweet Baby Ray’s in this recipe – or you can make your own homemade bbq sauce and tweak it exactly like you want it. I hope you enjoy the meatballs if you make them!
Traci
These are wonderful and so easy to make. They were a big hit at our tailgate!
Amy
Thank you Traci, I’m so glad everyone enjoyed them!
Christa
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
Thank you Christa – so happy to hear everyone enjoyed the meatballs at the party!
Laurie
I can sum this up in one word; YUMMMMM!
Angie
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
What brand BBQ Sauce did you use to pair with the bourbon?
Amy
Hi Adrienne, I normally use hickory smoke or regular BBQ sauce in this recipe. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Lynda
Could you substitute rum for the bourbon?
Amy
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
What brand of bourbon did you use?
Amy @ The Blond Cook
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
Can you use turkey meatballs?
Amy @ The Blond Cook
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.
Do you use Italian flavored meatballs or just plain?
Thanks!
Amy @ The Blond Cook
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! 🙂
Jack from Pittsburgh
We’ve done this twice using Costco (Kirkland) mini (1-¼” diameter) Italian meatballs. Delicious, and a big hit with our guests!
Amy
Thank you Jack – I’m so glad you and everyone enjoyed the meatballs; thank you!
Melle
Can you do this with the meatballs straight out of the freezer? How long do you thaw them?
Amy @ The Blond Cook
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
I use frozen meatballs right from freezer in crockpot. Just takes a little longer.. like 3 hrs.
Jacquline Wilson
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
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
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
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
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
Look in your freezer area. You may have lambmeatballs but you could use those as well.