An appetizer with a peppy surprise ingredient.
How to Make Slow Cooker Meatballs
Meatballs make a great appetizer for parties. They’re conveniently bite-sized and easy to pick up on a toothpick, so you don’t need to mess around with utensils or even plates. I love to pep up their flavor by serving them with a spicy-sweet sauce – like my Honey Garlic Meatballs or Zesty Cranberry Meatballs.
This new meatball has that same sweet and spicy flavor combo, but with an unexpected ingredient: Dr Pepper! (Yes, that’s spelled right – there’s no period after the “Dr,” thank you very much.) This iconic soda has a unique flavor that’s impossible to pin down – like a cola but with hints of cherry, vanilla, licorice, and who knows what else. Adding about six ounces of the Doctor to your favorite BBQ sauce gives your meatballs a hint of that elusive, magical taste, along with the tangy and spicy flavors any good BBQ sauce should have.
These meatballs couldn’t possibly be easier to make. Just dump ready-made meatballs in the crock with your sauce and Dr Pepper, then let them simmer for a few hours. You can serve them right in the Crockpot – no extra containers needed. And if you keep it on the warm setting, your meatballs will stay hot and tasty all night long (or until they’re all gobbled up).
Recipe Tips
Could you make these Meatballs in the Instant Pot instead?
Yes! If you start with frozen meatballs, they’ll cook in about five minutes at high pressure, followed by a quick release. If they’re not quite done, turn the pot to saute and heat them a few more minutes that way.
You said you used Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, but Sweet Baby Ray’s makes more than one kind. Which one should I use?
You can’t go wrong with the original version, but if there’s another variety you really love, I’m sure it would work fine.
I don’t have any Dr Pepper – can I use cola instead?
Definitely not! It’s that unique Dr Pepper flavor that gives these meatballs their special kick. Accept no substitutes!
How to Make Dr. Pepper Crockpot Meatballs
- In a mixing bowl, combine BBQ sauce, Dr. Pepper. Mix well.
- Add frozen meatballs to Crockpot, cover with sauce mixture, then place lid on crockpot.
- Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-5 hours., stirring occasionally.
- Once done cooking, leave the crockpot on the warm setting to keep them warm during your gathering.
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TOOLS USED FOR THIS DR. PEPPER CROCKPOT MEATBALLS
Slow Cooker: Here is one of my favorite crockpots!
Slow Cooker Liners: Do you love easy clean-up jobs? Give these liners a try.
Food Tongs: Non-slip Surface design offer you the best control on food.
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Dr. Pepper Crockpot Meatballs
Ingredients
- 26 oz. Fully-Cooked Frozen Meatballs
- 18 oz. Your favorite BBQ sauce. I usually use Sweet Baby Rays
- 6 oz. Dr. Pepper
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine BBQ sauce, Dr. Pepper. Mix well.
- Add frozen meatballs to Crockpot, cover with sauce mixture, then place lid on crockpot.
- Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-5 hours., stirring occasionally.
- Once done cooking, leave the crockpot on the warm setting to keep them warm during your gathering.
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Nutrition Information:
Nutrition Disclaimer
Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Donna says
Which kind of meatballs did you use, Italian or home style?
Corey says
Either will be great Donna. I think most times I use homestyle.
Donna Machen says
Thanks! I have both kinds in my freezer so I’ll be making these soon.
Cathy P says
Can I use diet Dr Pepper?
Joel C. says
Yes. We actually used Diet Cherry Dr Pepper and it tastes fantastic! (Usually Stubbs for the BBQ sauce.)
Jennifer Meyer says
Can I make the meatballs the night before?
Corey says
Yes. Refrigerate them until you are ready to use and then reheat them.