Savory BBQ Bacon Meatballs Slow Cooker Recipe Easy Party Appetizer
These savory BBQ bacon meatballs are a crowd-pleasing slow cooker appetizer that combines smoky bacon, tangy BBQ sauce, and tender meatballs for an easy and delicious party dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours (low) or 1.5 to 2 hours (high)
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (low) or 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 20-24 meatballs (about 6-8 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20)
- 6 slices bacon, finely chopped
- 1 cup (about 100g) breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-style)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or green onions
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, finely chopped bacon, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, about 5 minutes. Avoid overmixing.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch diameter meatballs, about 20-24 meatballs total, and place them on a baking sheet.
- Optional: Brown the meatballs in a skillet over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes, turning to brown all sides. This step adds flavor but can be skipped.
- Transfer the meatballs into a 4-6 quart slow cooker in an even layer.
- Pour BBQ sauce over the meatballs and gently stir to coat evenly.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
- Before serving, stir gently to redistribute sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired. Serve warm with toothpicks.
Notes
Mixing raw bacon into the meatball mixture keeps meatballs juicy and flavorful. Browning meatballs before slow cooking adds extra flavor but is optional. If BBQ sauce is too runny after cooking, cook uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes to thicken. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour for gluten-free version. Ground turkey and turkey bacon can be used for a leaner option. Add cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for a spicy kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 24
- Carbohydrates: 7
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 18
Keywords: BBQ meatballs, bacon meatballs, slow cooker appetizer, party appetizer, easy meatballs, smoky meatballs