If you need one easy appetizer that can feed a crowd without keeping you stuck in the kitchen, BBQ Meatballs and Smokies are hard to beat.
Tender meatballs and bite-size smoked sausages simmer slowly in a sticky, sweet, smoky barbecue sauce until every piece is coated and full of flavor.
The sauce is simple but addictive.
Barbecue sauce provides the smoky base, grape jelly adds sweetness and shine, chili sauce gives it a little tang, and Worcestershire sauce adds savory depth.
Everything goes into the slow cooker and warms together until thick, glossy, and ready for toothpicks.
This is exactly the kind of recipe that works for:
- Football parties
- Holiday gatherings
- Potlucks
- Birthday parties
- Tailgating
- New Year’s Eve
- Family get-togethers
And because you can keep everything warm in the Crockpot, you don’t have to worry about the appetizer getting cold halfway through the party.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Very little prep. You’re using fully cooked meatballs and smoked sausages.
Crockpot-friendly. Let the slow cooker do most of the work.
Perfect for parties. Guests can serve themselves with toothpicks.
Sweet and savory. Barbecue sauce, jelly, and Worcestershire create a balanced sauce.
Make-ahead friendly. Mix everything before the party and heat when needed.
Easy to customize. Make it spicy, smoky, tangy, or less sweet.
Feeds a crowd. A single batch makes plenty of appetizer-size servings.
Ingredients
Meatballs and Smokies
- 2 pounds frozen fully cooked meatballs
- 28 ounces fully cooked cocktail smoked sausages
BBQ Sauce
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
- 1 cup grape jelly
- ½ cup chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Optional Finishing Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, for a sweeter sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, for more tang
- Hot sauce, to taste
- Chopped parsley or green onions
What Are Smokies?
For this recipe, “smokies” means small fully cooked cocktail smoked sausages.
They’re already bite-size and have a smoky, savory flavor that works especially well with barbecue sauce.
You may see varieties made with:
- Beef
- Pork
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Mixed meats
Check the label to make sure you’re buying a fully cooked or ready-to-eat product.
USDA explains that sausages may be either uncooked or ready-to-eat, so checking the package label matters. Products that still require cooking should clearly indicate that on the label.
Best Meatballs for BBQ Meatballs and Smokies
Frozen Fully Cooked Meatballs
This is the easiest option.
You can use:
- Beef meatballs
- Beef-and-pork meatballs
- Turkey meatballs
- Homestyle meatballs
For a party recipe, I prefer smaller meatballs because they’re easier to eat with toothpicks.
Homemade Meatballs
Homemade meatballs also work.
Cook them completely first, then add them to the Crockpot with the sauce.
Turkey Meatballs
A good option if you want something slightly lighter.
They pair especially well with smoky barbecue sauce.
How to Make BBQ Meatballs and Smokies
Step 1: Add the Meatballs
Place the frozen fully cooked meatballs into a 6-quart slow cooker.
There’s no need to thaw them first if the product instructions allow reheating from frozen, though thawed meatballs will warm more quickly and evenly.
Step 2: Add the Cocktail Sausages
Drain any liquid from the package if necessary.
Add the smoked sausages to the slow cooker with the meatballs.
Spread them out so the two proteins are mixed together.
Step 3: Make the BBQ Sauce
In a bowl, combine:
- Barbecue sauce
- Grape jelly
- Chili sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Black pepper
- Optional red pepper flakes
Whisk until mostly smooth.
Don’t worry if the jelly isn’t completely blended yet. It will melt as the mixture heats.
Step 4: Pour the Sauce Over Everything
Pour the sauce over the meatballs and sausages.
Stir gently until everything is coated.
Step 5: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on:
LOW for approximately 3–4 hours
or
HIGH for approximately 1½–2 hours
Stir once or twice if possible.
The sauce should become:
- Hot
- Glossy
- Slightly thickened
- Completely coating the meatballs and sausages
Step 6: Taste and Adjust
Once everything is hot, taste the sauce.
For more sweetness, add:
1 tablespoon brown sugar
For more tang, add:
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
For more heat, add:
- Hot sauce
- Red pepper flakes
- Cayenne
For smokier flavor, add another pinch of smoked paprika.
Step 7: Keep Warm for Serving
Once heated through, switch the slow cooker to WARM.
Serve directly from the Crockpot with:
- Toothpicks
- Small appetizer plates
- Cocktail forks
This makes party serving extremely easy.
The Secret to the Best BBQ Meatball Sauce
The best sauce isn’t just sweet.
You want several flavors working together.
Barbecue Sauce
Provides:
- Smoke
- Tomato
- Sweetness
- Spice
Grape Jelly
Sounds unusual if you’ve never made party meatballs before, but it melts into the barbecue sauce and gives it sweetness and a shiny, sticky consistency.
Chili Sauce
Adds tomato tang and prevents the sauce from tasting like pure sugar.
Worcestershire Sauce
Adds savory depth.
Smoked Paprika
Reinforces the smoky flavor of the sausages.
BBQ Meatballs and Smokies Without Grape Jelly
If you don’t want grape jelly, there are several alternatives.
You can use:
- Apricot preserves
- Orange marmalade
- Cranberry sauce
- Pineapple preserves
- Brown sugar and honey
For a less sweet version, skip preserves entirely and combine barbecue sauce with chili sauce and a small amount of brown sugar.
Three-Ingredient BBQ Meatballs and Smokies
For the easiest version possible, use only:
- 2 pounds frozen cooked meatballs
- 28 ounces cocktail smoked sausages
- 2½–3 cups barbecue sauce
Cook in the Crockpot until thoroughly heated.
That’s it.
For more flavor, I still prefer adding Worcestershire, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs and Smokies
For the classic sweet party version, use:
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
- 1 cup grape jelly
- ½ cup chili sauce
This gives the sauce that familiar sweet-and-tangy flavor people expect from slow-cooker party meatballs.
Spicy BBQ Meatballs and Smokies
For a spicy version, add:
- 1–2 tablespoons hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- Red pepper flakes
- Diced jalapeños
You can also use a spicy barbecue sauce.
If you’re serving children or a mixed crowd, keep the main batch mild and place hot sauce next to the slow cooker.
Honey BBQ Meatballs and Smokies
Replace the grape jelly with:
½ cup honey
and add:
¼ cup brown sugar
This gives you a more straightforward honey-barbecue flavor.
Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to balance the sweetness.
Brown Sugar BBQ Meatballs and Smokies
For a deeper, caramel-like sauce, combine:
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon mustard
This version is especially good if you want to avoid jelly completely.
Bourbon-Style BBQ Meatballs and Smokies
For an adult party flavor, you can use a bourbon-inspired barbecue sauce.
If cooking with actual bourbon, allow the sauce enough cooking time for the flavors to mellow, but remember that cooking does not necessarily remove all alcohol.
For family gatherings, a bourbon-flavored barbecue sauce without added spirits is an easy alternative.
Pineapple BBQ Meatballs and Smokies
Add:
1 can pineapple chunks, drained
and replace some of the grape jelly with:
½ cup pineapple preserves
The sweet pineapple pairs especially well with smoked sausage.
This variation is good for holiday parties and potlucks.
Cranberry BBQ Meatballs and Smokies
For fall and holiday gatherings, replace the grape jelly with:
1 cup cranberry sauce
Mix with:
- Barbecue sauce
- Chili sauce
- Worcestershire
This gives the appetizer a sweet-tart holiday flavor.
It’s especially useful for Thanksgiving weekend or Christmas parties.
Maple BBQ Meatballs and Smokies
Add approximately:
⅓ cup pure maple syrup
to the barbecue sauce.
Use less grape jelly so the final sauce isn’t overly sweet.
Maple works especially well with smoked sausage.
BBQ Meatballs and Smokies With Bacon
If you want an even smokier appetizer, stir in:
6 slices cooked crumbled bacon
near the end.
You can also wrap individual cocktail sausages in small bacon pieces before baking, but for a Crockpot version, simply adding crisp bacon at the end is much easier.
Can I Make This on the Stovetop?
Yes.
Add meatballs, sausages, and sauce to a large Dutch oven or deep saucepan.
Cover and heat over medium-low.
Stir occasionally.
Continue heating until everything is thoroughly hot and the sauce has thickened.
The Crockpot is more convenient for parties because it can keep the appetizer warm.
Can I Make It in the Oven?
Yes.
Place the meatballs and sausages into a large baking dish.
Pour the sauce over everything.
Cover with foil.
Bake at approximately 350°F until thoroughly heated.
Remove the foil near the end if you want the sauce to thicken slightly.
Can I Make This Ahead?
Absolutely.
This is one of the best parts of the recipe.
The night before:
- Mix the sauce.
- Refrigerate it.
- Keep the meatballs and sausages refrigerated or frozen according to package directions.
- Combine everything when you’re ready to cook.
You can also cook the complete recipe ahead and refrigerate it after proper cooling.
For reheating, USDA recommends reheating leftovers to 165°F.
However, USDA does not recommend reheating refrigerated leftovers from cold in a slow cooker because the food can remain too long at unsafe temperatures. Reheat them on the stove, in the oven, or in the microwave first, then transfer to a slow cooker to keep warm.
BBQ Meatballs and Smokies for Game Day
This recipe is almost made for football season.
Keep the slow cooker on a serving table and provide:
- Toothpicks
- Small plates
- Napkins
- Extra barbecue sauce
- Hot sauce
Serve it alongside:
- Buffalo chicken dip
- Nachos
- Sliders
- Potato skins
- Wings
- Queso dip
Because it’s mostly hands-off, you can concentrate on the rest of the party food.
Holiday Party Appetizer
BBQ Meatballs and Smokies also work well for:
- Christmas
- New Year’s Eve
- Thanksgiving weekend
- Office parties
- Family reunions
For a more holiday-style sauce, use cranberry sauce instead of grape jelly.
For New Year’s Eve, I would make the sauce slightly spicy and serve with cocktail forks.
How Many People Does This Serve?
As an appetizer, this recipe should serve approximately:
12–16 people
depending on what else is being served.
For a large party, double the recipe.
If doubling, make sure your slow cooker is large enough to heat everything safely and evenly.
Two medium slow cookers may work better than overfilling one.
Budget-Friendly Party Food
This recipe can be very economical compared with many individual appetizers.
To save money:
- Buy frozen meatballs in family-size bags
- Use store-brand cocktail sausages
- Buy barbecue sauce in larger bottles
- Shop for meatballs during sales
- Serve alongside inexpensive appetizers such as chips and dip
- Use smaller meatballs so guests get more individual portions
One Crockpot can provide dozens of appetizer bites.
What to Serve With BBQ Meatballs and Smokies
For parties, pair them with foods that offer different textures.
Good options include:
Mac and cheese for a comfort-food meal.
Potato salad for cookout-style gatherings.
Coleslaw to balance the sweet sauce.
Baked beans for a barbecue menu.
Cornbread if serving them as a casual dinner.
Slider rolls if you want guests to turn meatballs and sausages into mini sandwiches.
Tortilla chips and queso for game day.
Can I Turn This Into Dinner?
Definitely.
Instead of serving with toothpicks, spoon the BBQ meatballs and sausages over:
- Mashed potatoes
- White rice
- Mac and cheese
- Buttered noodles
Add green beans or coleslaw on the side.
Now you’ve turned a party appetizer into a very easy family dinner.
How to Store Leftovers
Transfer leftovers into shallow airtight containers and refrigerate promptly.
USDA advises refrigerating perishable cooked food within 2 hours and using most refrigerated leftovers within about 3–4 days.
Don’t leave the finished meatballs and sausages sitting at room temperature for the entire party.
How to Reheat BBQ Meatballs and Smokies
Stovetop
Place leftovers in a saucepan.
Heat over medium-low while stirring occasionally.
Add a splash of water or barbecue sauce if the sauce has become very thick.
Microwave
Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish.
Cover loosely.
Heat and stir until thoroughly hot.
USDA recommends reheating leftovers to 165°F.
Slow Cooker
Don’t use the slow cooker to slowly reheat refrigerator-cold leftovers.
Reheat the food first using the stove, oven, or microwave and then transfer it to the slow cooker on WARM for serving.
Can You Freeze BBQ Meatballs and Smokies?
Yes.
Cool the cooked mixture properly.
Transfer into freezer-safe containers.
Freeze in family-size or smaller portions.
When ready to serve, thaw safely in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly.
The sauce may become slightly thicker after freezing, so add a little barbecue sauce or water while reheating.
USDA notes that reheated leftovers should reach 165°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put frozen meatballs directly in the Crockpot?
If they’re fully cooked, many frozen meatballs can be heated directly from frozen, but follow the package instructions for the specific product you’re using.
Are cocktail smokies already cooked?
Many are sold fully cooked, but not every sausage product is the same. Check the package. USDA distinguishes ready-to-eat sausages from uncooked sausages that still require cooking.
Can I use homemade meatballs?
Yes. Cook them completely before combining them with the sauce.
Can I make this without grape jelly?
Absolutely. Use brown sugar, honey, cranberry sauce, apricot preserves, or pineapple preserves.
What BBQ sauce works best?
Use a sauce with a flavor you already enjoy.
Smoky or hickory-style sauce works especially well with the sausages.
Can I make them spicy?
Yes. Add hot sauce, cayenne, red pepper flakes, or jalapeños.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Use a large slow cooker or divide between two slow cookers.
Can I use turkey meatballs?
Yes.
Can I use turkey smoked sausage?
Yes. Make sure it is fully cooked or follow the package cooking instructions.
How long can I keep them warm?
Use your slow cooker’s WARM setting for serving and follow the appliance manufacturer’s guidance. Don’t let perishable food sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour in temperatures above 90°F.
Easy BBQ Meatballs and Smokies Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3–4 hours LOW
Servings: About 12–16 appetizer servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds frozen fully cooked meatballs
- 28 ounces fully cooked cocktail smoked sausages
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
- 1 cup grape jelly
- ½ cup chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Add meatballs to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the cocktail smoked sausages.
- In a bowl, whisk barbecue sauce, grape jelly, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and pepper.
- Pour sauce over the meatballs and sausages.
- Stir gently.
- Cover.
- Cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 1½–2 hours, until thoroughly hot.
- Stir occasionally if possible.
- Taste and adjust sweetness, spice, or tang.
- Switch the Crockpot to WARM for serving.
- Serve with toothpicks.
Delicious Variations
Spicy BBQ Meatballs and Smokies: Add cayenne and hot sauce.
Cranberry BBQ Meatballs: Replace grape jelly with cranberry sauce.
Honey BBQ Meatballs and Smokies: Use honey instead of jelly.
Pineapple BBQ Meatballs: Add pineapple chunks and pineapple preserves.
Maple BBQ Smokies: Add maple syrup.
Bacon BBQ Meatballs: Finish with crispy bacon.
Cheesy BBQ Meatballs: Sprinkle cheddar over individual servings.
Brown Sugar BBQ Meatballs: Use brown sugar instead of jelly for a deeper sweetness.
Final Thoughts
BBQ Meatballs and Smokies are exactly the kind of recipe you want when you’re feeding a crowd but don’t want to spend the entire day cooking.
Tender meatballs, smoky cocktail sausages, sweet barbecue sauce, tangy chili sauce, Worcestershire, and warm spices come together into a sticky, glossy Crockpot appetizer that’s simple enough for any gathering.
It’s ideal for football season, holiday parties, potlucks, birthdays, New Year’s Eve, or casual family dinners.
And because the sauce is so easy to customize, you can make it sweet, spicy, smoky, tangy, or holiday-inspired depending on the occasion
