Slow Cooker Bourbon Apple Butter Meatballs Recipe
These Slow Cooker Bourbon Apple Butter Meatballs are a comforting and flavorful dish made easy with frozen meatballs simmered in a sweet and smoky apple butter bourbon sauce. Perfect for cozy fall gatherings, weeknight dinners, or parties, this dump-and-go recipe requires minimal prep and slow-cooks to tender, saucy perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes to 7 hours 10 minutes (low) or 3 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 2 lbs frozen homestyle meatballs
Sauce
- 1 cup apple butter
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine apple butter, bourbon, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly until the sauce is well blended and smooth, ensuring all flavors meld together.
- Add Meatballs to Slow Cooker: Place the frozen homestyle meatballs directly into the bottom of your slow cooker, spreading them evenly to ensure even cooking.
- Pour Sauce Over Meatballs: Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the frozen meatballs, coating them completely with the thick, flavorful sauce.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook the meatballs on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Stir gently once halfway through the cooking time to coat the meatballs evenly and prevent any from drying out.
- Stir and Serve: After cooking, give the meatballs a good stir to distribute the sauce evenly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm with your choice of sides.
Notes
- No need to thaw meatballs before cooking; use them straight from the freezer for convenience.
- Using a good quality, spiced apple butter enhances the flavor significantly.
- Don’t skip the Dijon mustard as it balances the sauce’s sweetness with a subtle tang.
- You can double the recipe for larger gatherings, but ensure your slow cooker is large enough.
- Stir halfway through cooking to ensure even sauce coating and avoid drying out the meatballs on top.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave, stovetop, or slow cooker until warmed through.
- If you prefer a family-friendly version, substitute bourbon with apple juice or cola.
- Adding hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes can spice up the recipe if desired.
Keywords: slow cooker meatballs, bourbon meatballs, apple butter meatballs, easy party appetizers, fall recipes, comfort food, dump and go recipes
