Crockpot Root Beer Meatballs Recipe
Sweet and sticky root beer meatballs slow-cooked to perfection in a crockpot. This easy party appetizer combines fully cooked frozen meatballs with a glossy, flavorful sauce made from root beer, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. The sauce is thickened with a cornstarch slurry at the end, making these meatballs a crowd-pleaser perfect for game days, potlucks, and gatherings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen fully cooked meatballs
- 1½ cups root beer (regular, non-diet)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Thickening Slurry
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker. Add the frozen fully cooked meatballs directly into the crockpot.
- Add liquid ingredients. Pour the root beer evenly over the meatballs to impart sweetness and depth to the sauce.
- Combine seasonings. Stir in the brown sugar, barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire sauce thoroughly so that everything is well mixed and flavors begin to meld.
- Slow cook the meatballs. Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Make the thickening slurry. Whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth to prepare the thickening agent.
- Thicken the sauce. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the meatballs and continue cooking until the sauce thickens to a glossy, spoonable consistency, then serve warm.
Notes
- The sauce will thicken further as it cools, so a slightly loose sauce right after cooking is normal.
- Occasional stirring prevents sauce from burning or sticking to the sides during slow cooking.
- Use regular root beer, not diet, to maintain the correct flavor and texture because of the sugar content.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small splash of root beer to loosen it up.
- Keeping meatballs on the warm setting is ideal for parties to maintain glossiness and scoopability.
- Substitute Dr Pepper for root beer for a different sweet flavor, or honey for brown sugar.
- For a kick, add crushed red pepper flakes or use a spicy barbecue sauce.
- Homemade fully cooked meatballs can be used instead of frozen for a fresher option.
Keywords: crockpot meatballs, root beer meatballs, slow cooker appetizer, party meatballs, easy party recipes
Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/crockpot-root-beer-meatballs-recipe/
