Dr. Pepper Meatball Appetizers

Dr Pepper Meatball Appetizers are an economical, hearty snack for football parties, Netflix marathons, teenager sleepovers and that office potluck!

This is one of the quickest, easiest appetizer recipes I have ever made. And, they are soooooo delicious.

Let me be clear: we ate them OUT OF THE POT!

The cola flavoring is really mild; the sauce is just sweet and flavorful.

And, they will be front and center at our Dr.Pepper ACC National Championship Game tailgate on December 3! We were SO EXCITED to learn that Orlando was host city for the game. Another bowl game in our town!

I used frozen meatballs for convenience.

Did I just do that? Did I just admit that I used a pre-made convenience food in a recipe on my food blog?!?

Yes. Yes, I did.

Because, life happens. And, sometimes you and I need super delicious recipes that won’t keep us in the kitchen for hours or break our budgets.

 You can keep these warm & ready for your guest in a crock pot. If you take them to the office potluck, be prepared to take a copy of the recipe with you! Everyone will want to know your secret.

The first time I had Dr Pepper Meatball Appetizers was at a Sunday School Christmas party years ago. At that time, we were in an adult Sunday School class called New Beginnings. We were all young couples who were in the early years of our marriages with young children. It was a special time in our life, and it was shared with our friends who were going thru life changing circumstances just like us. New Beginnings! Anyway, I remember one year when one of the couples brought to the pot luck Christmas party these AH-MAZING meatballs made with cola. Over the years, I’ve tried to replicate them and this recipe is as close as I could find! And, I came across it over at Christy Jordan’s Southern Plate.  I think you and your family will love ’em as much as we do!

To round out your tailgate menu with the meatballs, whip up Three Cheese Jalapeño Bacon Corn Dip and serve it with corn chips or crisp carrot sticks. Go Team!

Dr. Pepper Meatball Appetizers

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings 8 People

Ingredients

  

• 2 Pounds Meatballs (I used pre-made frozen meatballs)
• 12 Ounces Dr. Pepper Soda
• 3/4 Cup brown sugar
• 1 Cup Ketchup
• 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar

Instructions

 

• In a large pot over medium -high heat, stir together ketchup, garlic powder, apple cider vinegar, Dr. Pepper, and garlic powders. Bring to a boil, stirring continuously.
• Add frozen meatballs to the sauce. (Unfrozen, fresh meatballs work too.) Stir well and cook frozen meatballs 3- 5 minutes over medium-high heat.
• Reduce heat to medium low, and let the meatballs simmer, stirring occasionally for 15-20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and meatballs are warmed.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Christy Jordan's Southern Plate.