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BBQ Meatballs for a party shown in a crock pot with a metal spoon.

Crock Pot BBQ Meatballs for a Party

Make a big batch of these sweet BBQ meatballs to enjoy at your next party. With instructions for cooking in the slow cooker or the crock pot, this easy recipe is a perfect kid friendly dinner or party appetizer.
3.2 from 5 votes
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Servings: 13
Calories: 534kcal

Ingredients
 

For the meatballs:

  • 3 lbs. ground beef
  • 2 cups quick oats
  • 12 oz. can evaporated milk
  • 1 small yellow onion (finely diced)
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

For the BBQ sauce:

  • 3 ½ cups ketchup
  • 1 ½ cups brown sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • ¼ cup water (crock pot version only)

Instructions

  • Combine. Add the beef, oats, milk, onion, eggs, chili powder, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl. Use your hands or a spatula to gently bring the ingredients together, stirring until just combined.
  • Preheat. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper and preheat the oven to broil.
  • Scoop. Use a cookie scoop to scoop out 1 inch size balls of the meat mixture, using your hands to round out the shape if desired. Place them ½ inch apart on one of the prepared baking sheets.
  • Broil. Place a tray of meatballs under the broiler for 7-9 minutes or until a light brown crust is formed. While the first tray is broiling, scoop out the second tray of meatballs.
  • Make the sauce. While the meatballs, broil, mix up the BBQ sauce. In a large measuring cup, whisk all of the ingredients together. Omit the water if you're oven baking.
  • Cook. Transfer all the meatballs to a large crock pot and cover with the BBQ sauce. Set on low for 4 hours or on high for 2. Meatballs can be kept on the warm setting for another hour or so.

Notes

For oven baked BBQ meatballs: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare and scoop the meatballs onto parchment lined baking sheets. Make the sauce, omitting the water. Pour the sauce evenly over the meatballs then cook for 30-35 minutes or until an internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Equipment

Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Crock Pot BBQ Meatballs, Meatballs for a Party

Nutrition

Serving: 13g | Calories: 534kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 1282mg | Potassium: 713mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 640IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 4mg