Get ready to impress with these Sweet and Spicy Crockpot Party Meatballs! Slow-cooked in a unique sauce of gochujang, Thai sweet chili sauce, strawberry jelly, and brown sugar, these meatballs deliver a perfect blend of spicy and sweet. Ideal for any gathering, they’re sure to be a hit with every bite!
My husband John and I love a good party meatball during football season. You'll always find a mini crockpot on our counter all day bubbling away with sticky sweet meatballs or mini-smokies!
These Sweet and Spicy Crockpot Party Meatballs are a play on the classic "Grape Jelly Meatballs" that I enjoyed growing up. The sauce is a delicious combination of strawberry jelly and Thai Sweet Chili Sauce with an unexpected spicy ingredient - gochujang. (I've been on a gochujang kick lately, putting that stuff in everything!)
What is gochujang?
Gochujang is a staple in Korean cooking, and if you haven't tried it yet, you're in for a flavorful surprise. It's a thick, fermented red chili paste made from glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and red chili powder. The result? A complex, savory-sweet heat with a depth of umami that makes it incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Whether you're adding it to marinades, soups, or even a quick stir-fry, gochujang brings a bold kick that elevates any dish. It's one of those ingredients that, once you start using, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it.
I kept seeing it every time I turned on the Food Network or while watching an episode of MasterChef. Once I tried it, I completely understood all the hype!
To make these sticky, sweet Crockpot Party Meatballs, you'll need the following ingredients:
Review the recipe card below for precise measurements.
- frozen meatballs
- strawberry jam
- sweet Thai Chili Sauce ( I WISH I would have had this one from Melinda's when I made this recipe. So tasty!)
- gochujang
- brown sugar
- lemon juice
Do I need any equipment to make Sweet and Spicy Crockpot Party Meatballs?
How to make Sweet and Spicy Party Meatballs:
- Prepare the sauce by combining the strawberry jam, Thai sweet chili sauce, gochujang, brown sugar and lemon in the base of a crockpot.
- Pour meatballs into crockpot and stir to coat.
- Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 2 - 3 hours, stirring halfway through.
Storage:
- To store Crockpot Party Meatballs, place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Reheating:
- Reheat on the stove over medium heat for 5 - 10 minutes, or until heated through.
- Reheat in the microwave for 2 - 3 minutes, or until heated through.
Freezing:
- I don't recommend freezing these sauced meatballs. The fat from the meatballs will congeal in the sauce and create a strange texture.
- If you want a quick preparation, cook the meatballs on the stovetop or in the oven according to the package instructions and combine the scaled amount of sauce ingredients to your desired servings in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to warm through, pour in meatballs and serve immediately.
I hope you love this Crockpot Party Meatballs recipe! If you try it, tag @atoastedcrumb on all socials!
Sweet and Spicy Crockpot Party Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs frozen meatballs
- 1 cup strawberry jam
- 14 oz bottle of sweet Thai chili sauce
- 1-2 tablespoon gochujang
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- In the base of a crockpot, combine the strawberry jam, chili sauce, gochujang, brown sugar and lemon. Whisk to combine.
- Pour frozen meatballs into sauce and stir to coat evenly.
- Cook on LOW for 3 - 4 hours or HIGH for 2 - 3 hours, stirring halfway through.
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