Crockpot Work Potluck Sweet and Tangy Meatballs
For a crockpot work potluck, meatballs are hard to beat. They travel well, stay hot in the slow cooker for hours and need no plates or forks. This sweet and tangy version uses frozen meatballs and a sauce you stir together in two minutes.
20
servings10
minutes4
hoursFrozen meatballs simmer in a sweet, tangy sauce of chili sauce, grape jelly and mustard. The slow cooker holds them at serving temperature all lunch.
Ingredients
2 bags (32 oz each) fully cooked frozen meatballs
1 jar (12 oz) chili sauce
1 jar (10 oz) grape jelly
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup water
Toothpicks for serving
Directions
- Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray, or use a liner.
- Break up any jelly lumps with the whisk before adding the meatballs, since lumps will not melt evenly around the frozen balls.
- Whisk the chili sauce, jelly, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and water in the slow cooker until mostly smooth. A few jelly lumps will melt.
- Add the frozen meatballs and stir to coat. They do not need thawing.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until the meatballs are hot all the way through at 165 degrees F.
- Stir gently once or twice, being careful not to break the meatballs.
- Taste the sauce and add a splash of vinegar if it seems too sweet, or a pinch of sugar if too sharp.
- Switch to WARM and set out with toothpicks and a small bowl for used picks.
Notes
- To travel, keep the slow cooker lid taped or use the clip, and wrap the pot in a towel. Use turkey meatballs for a lighter version. You can use barbecue sauce instead of chili sauce for a smokier flavor. Leftovers keep 4 days in the fridge and make good meatball subs.
Why meatballs are the best crockpot work potluck dish
A potluck needs food that holds up for hours and can be eaten standing up. Meatballs in sauce do both, and the slow cooker keeps them at serving temperature, so you never have to hunt for a microwave in the break room.
You also need a dish that is quick to make the night before. This one takes five minutes, and you can even pour the sauce into the slow cooker, add the meatballs frozen and plug it in at your desk.
Cleanup matters at work as well. A slow cooker liner means you can throw out the mess and wash only the lid, which your coworkers will appreciate.
Buying notes for the meatballs and sauce
Frozen cooked meatballs: Get the fully cooked kind, either beef or a beef and pork blend. Check the bag says cooked, since raw ones are a different recipe.
Chili sauce: This is the sweet, tomato-based condiment near the ketchup, not hot chili paste. It gives the sauce its tangy edge.
Grape jelly: It melts into the sauce and adds sweetness that clings to the meatballs. Apple jelly is a good substitute.
Dijon mustard: A spoonful keeps the sauce from tasting like candy.
Worcestershire sauce: This adds a deep, salty note that balances the jelly.
Cocktail toothpicks: Buy the long, plain ones. Short picks get lost in the sauce, and the long ones are easy to grab.
Tips for the office slow cooker
Pre-mix at home: Whisk the sauce in the slow cooker insert the night before and cover it. In the morning add the frozen meatballs and go.
Start early: Plug in 3 to 4 hours before lunch. Frozen meatballs take time to heat through, so start them on HIGH if you are short on time.
Do not stir too hard: The most common mistake is stirring vigorously and breaking up the meatballs. Use a wide spoon and fold gently.
Bring a ladle and napkins: A wide slotted spoon keeps sauce off the table, and a stack of napkins and small paper plates helps people eat standing up.
Swaps and variations
For a spicy batch, add a tablespoon of sriracha or hot sauce. For a barbecue version, use two cups of barbecue sauce and skip the chili sauce and jelly. Pineapple tidbits stirred in during the last hour add a sweet and sour twist. A dairy-free and gluten-free batch works if you check the labels on the meatballs and sauces.
Do not use raw meatballs in this method. They will not brown, and they can fall apart and turn the sauce greasy.
Meatball subs are a good use of leftovers. Split a roll, add meatballs, spoon on the sauce and top with melted provolone under the broiler for two minutes.
What to serve with it
Put toothpicks beside the pot, plus small plates, napkins and rolls so people can make mini sandwiches. A bowl of cheese cubes, a veggie tray and some crackers round out a simple potluck table. Leftovers are just as good the next day, which helps if you want to plan ahead.
Storing and reheating
Cool leftovers and refrigerate in a covered container for up to 4 days. Do not leave the meatballs sitting out at the office for more than two hours without heat.
Reheat in the microwave in 60-second bursts or in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of water. They also freeze for up to 2 months in a zip bag with some sauce.
A potluck table also needs a sign. A small card listing the main ingredients helps coworkers with allergies, since the sauce has wheat, soy and fruit in it.
Crockpot Work Potluck Sweet and Tangy Meatballs at a glance
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 4 hours
- Servings: 20 servings
- Ingredients: 12, led by bags (32 oz each) fully cooked frozen meatballs, jar (12 oz) chili sauce, jar (10 oz) grape jelly, ketchup
Tips for Crockpot Work Potluck Sweet and Tangy Meatballs
To travel, keep the slow cooker lid taped or use the clip, and wrap the pot in a towel. Use turkey meatballs for a lighter version. You can use barbecue sauce instead of chili sauce for a smokier flavor. Leftovers keep 4 days in the fridge and make good meatball subs.
Crockpot Work Potluck Sweet and Tangy Meatballs FAQ
How long does Crockpot Work Potluck Sweet and Tangy Meatballs take?
Crockpot Work Potluck Sweet and Tangy Meatballs takes 4 hours of cooking after 10 minutes of prep.
How many people does Crockpot Work Potluck Sweet and Tangy Meatballs serve?
This recipe makes 20 servings.
What do I need to make Crockpot Work Potluck Sweet and Tangy Meatballs?
12 ingredients, led by bags (32 oz each) fully cooked frozen meatballs, jar (12 oz) chili sauce, jar (10 oz) grape jelly, ketchup. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
