Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs are a hearty appetizer EVERYONE just loves! This is my recipe featured in Tailgater Magazine! Whether you are going to the office potluck, March Madness, a Super Bowl Party, bunco or hosting for the holidays, count on this appetizer as your go-to dish. Everyone will want your recipe!

This is one of our family’s favorite meatball appetizer recipes. Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs have a secret ingredient…brown sugar…which melds with the bourbon oh so beautifully.

If you do not have a slow cooker, that is okay! See the recipe notes on how to make this recipe in a saucepan.

This appetizer is a hit at parties and a cinch to make. I’ve played with variations of this recipe over the years and finally nailed the proportions to meet our family’s tastes. If you are looking for another bourbon inspired recipe (who isn’t?!?!) here is my Bourbon Bacon Brie….a divine concoction that will amaze your taste-buds!

Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs:
The Ultimate Appetizer!

I use a two quart crock pot when taking this appetizer on the road. The picture below is from Christmas Eve at my mother-in-law’s home. Copa’s green checkered button-down is a seasonal favorite of his! We also made them on New Year’s Day for the University of Central Florida vs. Auburn Peach Bowl game. (We LOVE our hometown team – the UCF Knights!)

• Frozen meatballs
• brown sugar
• honey
• ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce
• lemon juice
• cornstarch

Keep a bag of frozen meatballs in the freezer in case you need to pull together an amazing appetizer in a flash. The ingredients for Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs are pantry staples which make this recipe the Ultimate Appetizer! No doubt, these meatballs will make another appearance at our house on Super Bowl Sunday!

I’ve always thought the Monday following the Super Bowl should be a national holiday. Kind of like New Year’s Day! We stay home for the Super Bowl and make PANS of Buffalo Chicken Dip and Football Cocoa Rice Crispy Treats. We stay up late and that alarm clock rings waaaayyy too early on Monday morning! When our daughter was in elementary school, we made a BIG deal out of watching the game & commercials together. Our coffee table turned into buffet central – the perfect height for little ones to graze on chips, fried mac & cheese bites , carrots and juice. Good old-fashioned family fun!

Ingredient list for Slow Cooker
Bourbon Meatballs

You probably will not need to run to the grocery store to make this appetizer – YAY! Although, I’m always up for an impromptu Super Target run. 🙂 Just sayin’.

• Bourbon
• Frozen meatballs
• ketchup
• brown sugar
• Worcestershire sauce
• lemon juice
• cornstarch

Mix it all up, throw the sauce over the frozen meatballs and let that slow cooker do its thang….for one hour on high.

I just know you and your family will LOVE these as much as we do!
Happy tailgating!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Join me again for more game day foods, fashions and stops along the way! Want to know all about sorority recruitment? I have a series on rush tips for PNMs and their mamas – it’s never too early to plan for rush!

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Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs

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Servings 8

Ingredients

  

• 1 32 ounce bag frozen meatballs
• 1 cup Ketchup
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup bourbon (whiskey can be substituted)
• 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• non-stick cooking spray
• 1 tbs cornstarch
• 1 tbs cold water

Instructions

 

• Coat slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. In a small cup, mix cornstarch & cold water until cornstarch is dissolved. With the exception of the meatballs, pour all ingredients (including the cornstarch mixture) into the bottom of the slow cooker. Stir well to make sure all ingredients are incorporated.
• Add meatballs to the mixture. Stir again, making sure all frozen meatballs are coated. Note: the sauce will not entirely cover the meatballs, so just spoon the sauce over the meatballs so they get one good coating.
• Cook on high for one hour. Stir and serve. If you plan to serve from the slow cooker, turn the temperature down to Warm after the first hour of cooking.

Notes

No slow cooker? No problem. Pour wet ingredients into a medium saucepan and stir well. Add frozen meatballs. Cook on medium high until the sauce is thick & bubbly. Reduce heat & cover.