Indulge in this slow cooker creation with tender meatballs glazed in a bourbon cola sauce, perfectly balanced by brown sugar and garlic. Bursting with sweet and savory notes, this twist on comfort food dazzles at any gathering. An irresistible treat for fans of Bourbon Meatballs Recipes and Crock Pot Meatballs.

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I’m excited to share my take on Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs that are sure to score big at any bowl party. In this recipe I combine 2 lbs frozen meatballs with a can of 12 oz cola, 3/4 cup bourbon and 1 cup packed brown sugar alongside 1 cup ketchup to create a perfect mixture of savory, sweet and tangy flavors.

I mix in 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 cloves of garlic, minced, and season it all with salt and black pepper to bring out an even richer profile. This recipe is not only easy and quick to prep in just 5 minutes, it also gives you a hearty amount of protein and energy from the meatballs making it a popular choice for Bourbon Meatballs recipes and slow cooker gatherings.

Its balanced macros and bold flavors remind me of other favorites like bourbon meatball crockpot appetizers and southern living twists on meatball recipes. Enjoy!

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I love how simple it is to put together even if I’m in a rush because the prep time is super short.
2. I enjoy the mix of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that really make every bite interesting.
3. I appreciate that I can easily tweak the salt and pepper during cooking so it always tastes just right for me.
4. I like that the slow cooker really does its job by making the meatballs nice and tender without much effort.

These sweet, savory and tangy Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs are gonna be the hit at my next get together. It’s seriously easy to make and you only need like 5 minutes to prep them. The mix of cola, bourbon and brown sugar gives it a cool twist that makes it stand out. Even though it seems fancy, it’s a super laid-back recipe that lets me enjoy great food without stressing too much in the kitchen. Enjoying these tasty meatballs while they’re hot is always the best part!

Ingredients

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Frozen Meatballs: a protein rich ingredient that makes the dish hearty and full of flavor.
Cola: a sweet, fizzy drink adding carbs and a tangy twist to the sauce.
Bourbon: a strong spirit that delivers a smoky, boozy kick with unique taste.
Brown Sugar: a rich sweetener that deepens the sauce with caramel like tones.
Ketchup: a tangy tomato base which ties flavors and moisture together nicely.
Garlic: pungent and zesty, it lifts the aroma and adds a subtle health perk.

Ingredient Quantities

2 lbs frozen meatballs

1 can (12 oz) cola (any kind you like)

3/4 cup bourbon

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup ketchup

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt, to taste

Black pepper, to taste

How to Make this

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1. Start by putting the frozen meatballs in your slow cooker.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the cola, bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, salt and pepper until the sugar starts to dissolve a bit.

3. Pour the sauce right over the meatballs making sure everything’s nicely covered.

4. Give everything a little stir so the meatballs are evenly coated.

5. Set your slow cooker on low for about 6 hours or on high for around 3 hours.

6. Check the meatballs once or twice during cooking so they don’t stick together too much.

7. Taste your sauce halfway through and adjust the salt or pepper if you think it needs a little more flavor.

8. Once they are tender and the sauce is thick and bubbly, they’re ready to serve.

9. Spoon the meatballs and extra sauce into a serving bowl and enjoy them while they’re hot.

Equipment Needed

1. Slow cooker – You need this to cook the meatballs slowly and let all that yummy sauce thicken up.
2. Large bowl – This is for mixing all the sauce ingredients together.
3. Measuring cups and spoons – These are necessary for measuring the bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup and other ingredients correctly.
4. Stirring spoon – Use this to mix the sauce over the meatballs and to stir them from time to time.
5. Serving bowl – This is where you’ll spoon out the meatballs with the extra sauce once they’re ready to eat.

FAQ

Can I substitute bourbon if I don't have any? Sure, you can swap out bourbon with a similar kind of whiskey or even dark rum if you're in a pinch though the flavor might taste a bit different.

Do the meatballs need to be thawed before cooking? Not really, you can put 'em frozen right into the slow cooker but if they are super stuck together it might help to separate them a little before cooking.

How long do I cook these meatballs in my slow cooker? They’d need about 4 to 6 hours on low, so you can leave them cooking while you go about your day.

Can I use a different cola or another soda? Yes, any regular cola works fine; some peeps even try root beer or ginger ale, but keep in mind it might change the taste real quick.

How do I adjust the sauce if I like it sweeter or tangier? If you prefer sweeter, feel free to add a bit more brown sugar, and if you like it tangier, a dash more ketchup or a splash of vinegar might do the trick. Experiment and see what fits your taste best!

Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you cant find frozen meatballs, you can try making your own using ground beef or turkey with your favorite seasonings
If bourbon ain’t available, a splash of whiskey or rum works just as well
You can swap the packed brown sugar with equal amounts of honey or maple syrup for a different flavor twist
Not a fan of cola? Ginger ale or root beer can give a similar sweet, fizzy kick to the dish
If you dont have fresh garlic, garlic powder (about half a teaspoon per clove) is a quick substitute

Pro Tips

1. If you want the sauce to be thicker, try turning your slow cooker to high for the last 15-20 minutes without the lid on so some of the extra liquid can evaporate.
2. Make sure you stir the meatballs gently a couple times during cooking so they dont stick together or fall apart; this helps all the flavors mix well.
3. Taste the sauce about halfway through and adjust the salt and pepper if needed, since frozen meatballs can sometimes need a bit more seasoning for that perfect flavor punch.
4. Try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash more garlic if you like an extra kick of flavor, but dont overdo it or it might overshadow the other tastes.

Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs Recipe

Recipe by Dan Coroni

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

440

kcal

Equipment: 1. Slow cooker – You need this to cook the meatballs slowly and let all that yummy sauce thicken up.
2. Large bowl – This is for mixing all the sauce ingredients together.
3. Measuring cups and spoons – These are necessary for measuring the bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup and other ingredients correctly.
4. Stirring spoon – Use this to mix the sauce over the meatballs and to stir them from time to time.
5. Serving bowl – This is where you’ll spoon out the meatballs with the extra sauce once they’re ready to eat.

Ingredients

2 lbs frozen meatballs
1 can (12 oz) cola (any kind you like)
3/4 cup bourbon
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup ketchup
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Directions

Start by putting the frozen meatballs in your slow cooker.
In a large bowl, mix together the cola, bourbon, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, salt and pepper until the sugar starts to dissolve a bit.
Pour the sauce right over the meatballs making sure everything's nicely covered.
Give everything a little stir so the meatballs are evenly coated.
Set your slow cooker on low for about 6 hours or on high for around 3 hours.
Check the meatballs once or twice during cooking so they don't stick together too much.
Taste your sauce halfway through and adjust the salt or pepper if you think it needs a little more flavor.
Once they are tender and the sauce is thick and bubbly, they're ready to serve.
Spoon the meatballs and extra sauce into a serving bowl and enjoy them while they're hot.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.