These Slow Cooker Sriracha BBQ Meatballs are tender, juicy, and coated in a bold sweet-heat sauce that’s impossible to resist. Made with a flavorful blend of ground pork and beef, then simmered low and slow in a sticky sriracha-BBQ glaze, this recipe is perfect for game days, parties, or an easy weeknight dinner served over rice or mashed potatoes.
The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with crowd-pleasing meatballs that stay warm and saucy for hours.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet and spicy flavor balance
- Perfect for parties, potlucks, and meal prep
- Easy slow cooker recipe
- Juicy, tender homemade meatballs
- Can be served as an appetizer or main dish
Ingredients
Meatballs
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1¼ pounds ground pork
- 1 pound 85% lean ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- 1 small shallot, minced
- ¾ cup dried breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 4½ tablespoons sriracha chili sauce
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1½ tablespoons ground cumin
Sriracha BBQ Sauce
- 1½ cups favorite barbecue sauce
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Slow Cooker
Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2: Make the Meatball Mixture
In a large bowl, combine ground pork, ground beef, eggs, minced shallot, breadcrumbs, milk, sriracha, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cumin.
Mix gently until just combined—do not overmix.
Step 3: Shape the Meatballs
Roll the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1½ inches each.
Step 4: Add Sauce
In a separate bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice.
Pour half of the sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker. Add meatballs, then pour the remaining sauce over the top.
Step 5: Slow Cook
Cover and cook:
- Low: 5–6 hours
- High: 2½–3 hours
Gently stir once halfway through to coat the meatballs evenly.
Step 6: Serve
Serve warm directly from the slow cooker. Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Serving Ideas
- As an appetizer with toothpicks
- Over steamed rice or cauliflower rice
- In hoagie rolls for spicy BBQ meatball subs
- With mashed potatoes or mac and cheese
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Make it milder: Reduce sriracha to 2–3 tablespoons
- Spicier: Add extra sriracha or a pinch of crushed red pepper
- Meal prep friendly: These reheat beautifully for lunches
- Freezer friendly: Freeze cooked meatballs in sauce up to 2 months
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Freezer: Freeze fully cooled meatballs in sauce for up to 2 months
Sweet Heat Slow Cooker Sriracha BBQ Meatballs
- Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 SERVINGS 1x
Description
These sweet heat slow cooker sriracha BBQ meatballs are tender, saucy, and packed with bold sweet-and-spicy flavor. Made with ground pork and beef and simmered low and slow in a sticky BBQ-sriracha sauce, this easy crockpot recipe works perfectly for weeknight dinners, parties, or game day appetizers.
Ingredients
Meatballs
-
Nonstick cooking spray
-
1¼ pounds ground pork
-
1 pound 85% lean ground beef
-
2 large eggs
-
1 small shallot, minced
-
¾ cup dried breadcrumbs
-
¼ cup whole milk
-
4½ tablespoons sriracha chili sauce
-
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
-
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1 teaspoon paprika
-
1½ tablespoons ground cumin
Sauce
-
1½ cups barbecue sauce
-
½ cup packed brown sugar
-
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
-
Spray the inside of a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
-
In a large bowl, combine ground pork, ground beef, eggs, shallot, breadcrumbs, milk, sriracha, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cumin. Mix gently until just combined.
-
Roll the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs.
-
In a separate bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice.
-
Pour half of the sauce into the slow cooker, add meatballs, then pour remaining sauce over the top.
-
Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 2½–3 hours, stirring gently once halfway through.
-
Serve warm straight from the slow cooker.
Notes
-
For milder meatballs, reduce the sriracha to 2–3 tablespoons.
-
These meatballs stay warm and saucy for hours, making them perfect for parties.
-
Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or as an appetizer with toothpicks.
- Prep Time: 20 MINS
- Cook Time: 5 HOURS
- Category: DINNER | APPETIZER
- Method: SLOW COOKER
- Cuisine: American
FAQ
Can I use frozen meatballs?
Yes—skip the meatball prep and add frozen meatballs directly to the sauce. Cook on low for 4–5 hours.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely. Prepare the meatballs and sauce the day before, refrigerate, and cook when ready.
What BBQ sauce works best?
A smoky or honey BBQ sauce pairs especially well with sriracha.
