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Crockpot Root Beer Meatballs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 87 reviews

These crockpot root beer meatballs are a sweet and sticky appetizer perfect for parties, game days, or potlucks. Fully cooked frozen meatballs simmer gently in a glossy root beer barbecue sauce, creating a tender and flavorful dish that requires minimal effort and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 32 ounces frozen fully cooked meatballs

Sauce

  • 1½ cups root beer (regular, not diet)
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Thickener

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

  1. Add Meatballs: Place the frozen fully cooked meatballs into the slow cooker to form the base of the dish.
  2. Add Root Beer: Pour 1½ cups of regular root beer over the meatballs to add sweetness and depth as it simmers.
  3. Mix in Sauce Ingredients: Stir in ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup barbecue sauce, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce until all ingredients are fully combined and coat the meatballs evenly.
  4. Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
  5. Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water, then stir this mixture into the meatballs to help thicken the sauce.
  6. Final Cook: Continue cooking in the slow cooker until the sauce thickens to a glossy and spoonable consistency. Serve warm.

Notes

  • The sauce will thicken further as it cools; a slightly loose sauce after cooking is normal.
  • Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent sauce from sticking or burning at the edges of the crockpot.
  • Use regular root beer for optimal flavor and sweetness; diet varieties lack sufficient sugar for proper sauce texture.
  • If the sauce thickens too much, loosen it by stirring in a small splash of root beer.
  • Keep meatballs on the warm setting when serving for parties to maintain glossiness and scoopability.
  • Substitute Dr Pepper for root beer for a different sweet flavor, or use honey instead of brown sugar.
  • Homemade fully cooked meatballs can be used; ensure they are cooked before adding to crockpot.
  • Add crushed red pepper flakes for heat, use spicy barbecue sauce for extra kick, or stir in ketchup for more tangy sweetness.

Keywords: crockpot meatballs, root beer meatballs, party appetizers, slow cooker recipes, sweet meatballs, easy party food

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/crockpot-root-beer-meatballs-recipe/