Marry Thompson This Pioneer Woman Whiskey Meatballs recipe is a sweet and savory recipe, which is made with bourbon whiskey and frozen meatballs. It’s the perfect party appetizer, ready in about 4 hours and 10 minutes.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Whiskey Meatballs Recipe Ingredients
- ¾ cup bourbon whiskey
- ¾ cup chili sauce
- ½ cup apricot preserves
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt, to taste
- fresh cracked pepper, to taste
- 1 (26 oz.) bag Italian or traditional style frozen meatballs
- thinly sliced green onion for garnish, optional
How To Make Pioneer Woman Whiskey Meatballs Recipe
- Mix the Sauce: In the basin of a slow cooker, whisk together the bourbon whiskey, chili sauce, apricot preserves, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, and garlic powder until the sauce is smooth.
- Add Meatballs: Add the entire bag of frozen meatballs to the slow cooker. Stir gently to coat all the meatballs evenly with the sauce.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 4 hours or on the HIGH setting for 2 hours, until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce is bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with thinly sliced green onions, if desired. Serve the meatballs warm, directly from the slow cooker with toothpicks for easy serving.
Recipe Tips
- Do I need to thaw the meatballs first? No, this recipe is designed for convenience. You can put the meatballs directly into the slow cooker while they are still frozen.
- Can I use homemade meatballs? Absolutely. If you use homemade meatballs, it’s best to bake or pan-fry them first so they hold their shape in the slow cooker, then add them to the sauce and cook as directed.
- How can I adjust the sweetness or spice? The sauce is easily customizable. For a spicier kick, add a little more chili powder or a dash of hot sauce. For a sweeter sauce, you can add a bit more apricot preserves.
- What’s the best whiskey to use? A smooth bourbon whiskey is a great choice. You don’t need an expensive, top-shelf bottle, but using a whiskey you enjoy the flavor of will yield the best results.
What To Serve With Whiskey Meatballs
These meatballs are a classic party appetizer and are perfect for:
- Holiday parties and potlucks
- Game day gatherings
- Serving as a main dish over creamy mashed potatoes or rice
How To Store Whiskey Meatballs
Refrigerate: Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat: Reheat gently in the microwave, on the stovetop, or back in the slow cooker on the warm setting.
Whiskey Meatballs Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 383 kcal
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Sodium: 950mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?
Yes. You can combine all the sauce ingredients in a large pot or Dutch oven, bring it to a simmer, then add the frozen meatballs. Cover and cook over low heat for 20-30 minutes, or until the meatballs are heated through.
Will these meatballs taste strongly of alcohol?
No, as the sauce simmers in the slow cooker, most of the alcohol content cooks off, leaving behind the smooth, rich, and slightly sweet flavor of the bourbon.
What kind of chili sauce should I use?
Look for a standard chili sauce, like Heinz, which is typically found near the ketchup. It has a sweet and tangy flavor, different from a spicy hot sauce.
Pioneer Woman Whiskey Meatballs Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: EasyServings
8
servingsPrep time
10
minutesCooking time
4
hoursCalories
383
kcalTender, frozen meatballs simmered in a bold, sweet-and-savory bourbon sauce in the slow cooker.
Ingredients
¾ cup bourbon whiskey
¾ cup chili sauce
½ cup apricot preserves
½ cup BBQ sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Kosher salt & fresh cracked pepper
1 (26 oz.) bag frozen meatballs
Sliced green onion, for garnish (optional)
Directions
- In the basin of a slow cooker, whisk together all the sauce ingredients (bourbon, chili sauce, apricot preserves, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper) until smooth.
- Add the frozen meatballs and stir to coat them in the sauce.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 hours.
- Stir before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
- Customize to Taste: Feel free to adjust the spice with more chili powder or the sweetness with more preserves.
- Homemade Option: If you prefer, you can use your favorite pre-cooked homemade meatballs instead of frozen.
- Easy Reheating: Leftovers are delicious and can be easily reheated in the microwave, air fryer, or on the stovetop.
- Party Perfect: This is an ideal “set it and forget it” appetizer for any gathering.