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Savory Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Meatballs

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These savory slow cooker brown sugar meatballs are an easy, crowd-pleasing party appetizer featuring a perfect sweet-savory balance with a tender, sticky glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for juiciness)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
  • 1/4 cup milk (dairy-free milk can be used)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark)
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, minced garlic, parsley, salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Mix gently until evenly incorporated without overmixing.
  2. Roll the mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet or plate, yielding about 30 to 35 meatballs.
  3. Optional: Brown the meatballs in a skillet with a tablespoon of oil over medium heat until caramelized on all sides, about 15 minutes.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper (if using) to make the glaze.
  5. Place the meatballs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce evenly over them. Stir gently to coat without breaking the meatballs.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1.5 to 2 hours until meatballs are tender and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
  7. About halfway through cooking, gently stir the meatballs to redistribute the sauce.
  8. If the sauce is too thin at the end, remove the lid and cook on high for 15-20 minutes to thicken.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko. For vegan, use plant-based meat alternatives and a flax egg. Browning meatballs before slow cooking adds flavor but is optional. Avoid overmixing meatball mixture to keep them tender. Stir gently during cooking to avoid breaking meatballs. Use quality barbecue sauce for best flavor. Do not lift slow cooker lid frequently to maintain cooking temperature.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker meatballs, brown sugar meatballs, party appetizer, easy meatballs, sweet and savory meatballs

Find it online: https://avabake.com/savory-slow-cooker-brown-sugar-meatballs-easy-party-recipe-ideas/