Slow Cooker Chipotle Apricot Meatballs
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Three ingredients is all you need for the sauce in these sweet and tangy apricot chipotle meatballs! These are perfect for game day or any day, just toss into your slow cooker and turn on!
Dish Count :: 1 Slow Cooker

Ingredients Needed to Make Crock Pot Meatballs
- 1 jar (16 oz) Apricot Preserves
- 1 jar Chili Sauce ( such as Heinz)
- 2-3 Tbsp Chipotle Tabasco Sauce* – use more or less if desired. (You can also use equivalent of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce)
- 2 Packages Frozen Meatballs (32 count pack)
Other Combinations for Crock Pot Meatballs
Teriyaki and Pineapple Meatballs
Grape Jelly and Cocktail Sauce
Honey Garlic Crock Pot Meatballs
Things accomplished in Hawai’i:
1) Youngest sister got married. Check. (I acted as second photographer after the real photographer LEFT! Check.)

2) Drove around the entire island of Oahu with Ben.
3) Watched the surfers on the North Shore, on the craziest waves ever!! The sound was incredible!
4) Went snorkeling right outside our front door.
5) Stopped by for a visit with my blog friend The Grommom, Monica Swanson, and her family! So many exclamation points!!!

6) Slipped on a bunch of beach rocks and biffed it really bad giving myself a really scraped up knee and foot that hurt like a mo’fo’. But hopefully make me look like a b’a’.
7) Watched the most heart stopping, emotionally wrenching game of Seahawks football known to man… in a beach house. On the north shore. As the waves rolled in. In 80 degrees. In January. The struggle is so real people.

Since we, the 12th Man, are now Super Bowl bound (OMG BREATHE!), I can post my SuperBowl recipes with a little extra pride, because I know I will be serving these come day with a little extra bounce in my step, and a smile on my face instead of eating my feelings and just biding my time to the commercials.
This recipe for the Sweet and Tangy Apricot Chipotle Meatballs actually really comes from Julie {Table for Two’s} Sweet and Tangy Meatballs! I’ve been friends with Julie now for YEARS (Julie, can you believe it? YEARS?!)
They have been on my list of recipes to make for ages, and it wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that I was hosting a dinner party that I had a panic for an appetizer that I could finally bust these bad boys out! I was pressed for time and these came to the rescue. So if you’re in a pinch for apps, or in a rush for game day grub, seriously MAKE THESE! It’s so wickedly easy – and these were the first thing to disappear.
These really work great with whatever jelly or preserve you have on hand, so don’t go bonkers. Just whatever you do make sure you make these! Check out Julie’s original recipe to see what jelly combo she used in hers, too and try them both!

More Inspired Easy Recipes
Easy Freezer Friendly Meals – Roundup!
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs
20 Minute Teriyaki Meatball Noodle Bowls
Whole30 Greek Beef and Lamb Meatballs
Ultimate SuperBowl Appetizer Roundup
Print
Sweet and Tangy Apricot Chipotle Meatballs
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 4 Hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 64 Meatballs 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
Three ingredients is all you need for the sauce in these sweet and tangy apricot chipotle meatballs! These are perfect for game day or any day, just toss into your slow cooker and turn on!
Ingredients
- 1 jar (16 oz) Apricot Preserves
- 1 jar Chili Sauce (Heinz)
- 2–3 Tbsp Chipotle Tabasco Sauce* – use more or less if desired. (You can also use equivalent of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce)
- 2 Packages Frozen Meatballs (32 count pack)
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together apricot preserves, chili sauce and chipotle Tabasco sauce. If more Tabasco sauce is desired, add more.
- Add frozen meatballs into a slow cooker, and pour the combined sauce ingredients over the top.
- Cover the slow cooker, and turn on high for 4 hours.
- Stir occasionally. Serve hot.
Notes
Recipe barely adapted from Table for Two’s Sweet and Tangy Meatballs
Keywords: Beef, Meatballs, Appetizer, Chipotle, Spicy
I love quick game-day apps like these meatballs. They’re easy & addictive. My neighbor makes a similar recipe for “Beer Weenies” – Little Smokies sausages in a crock pot, smothered with the same Heinz chili sauce, a bottle of Bullseye BBQ sauce, and one bottle of beer (we use Shiner). Crockpots rock.
And congrats to your sister! Your Hawaii photos are stunning.
These look so crazy good!!
Yeah, I could eat my weight in these lil bad mammajammas
Congratulations to your sister!
I love the sound of these meatballs! I love practically anything apricot so these are right up my alley.
Cannot tell you how yummy these look and sound to me! Love it! And congrats on being Super Bowl bound – quite a game! 🙂
What a wonderful trip!! Sounds like you had a blast!!! I’m SO ready for finger foods like these — bring on the meatballs!
So happy you enjoyed this with your variations! The Hawaii trip looked soo awesome!! I can’t believe it’s been YEARS since we’ve known each other and hung out; I’m seriously so glad we’ve met through this blogging world – LOVE YOU!!
Done. I love slow cooker meatballs and these have me all weepy. Congrats to your sis!
Whoa Hawaii! Amazing! And I’m pumped for a Hawks v. Pats Superbowl. Eeekk!
Ohhhh girl…. Pats vs. Hawks – it is ONNNNN for SuperBowl!! I saw we put a bet on it and pay up in Utah! hahaha CANT WAIT!!
Great Hawaii adventure. It’s beautiful over there. I am in Seahawks country.
So I am on the outlook for appetizers like this!!!!
I love the dish count! It sounds like you had an amazing time in Hawaii. Your sister looks gorgeous. These meatballs look absolutely amazing. Pinned.
I’m a total sucker for a slow cooker meatball and I am loving this flavor combo!
Drooling over these amazing meatballs! Congratulations to your sis!
Love how easy this recipe is. Perfect for the big game. Congratulations to your sister.
Can this get any easier or more delicious? Perfect!
What a lovely appetizer or addition to any main dish – luv only three ingredients!! 🙂
how fun that your sister got married in hawaii! we went to maui four years ago, best trip of my life. and these meatballs, dish count 1? i’m in!
I’m so thrilled that the Seahawks will have an equal chance now that the Patriots secret is out! They’re not ‘my’ team, but I’ll certainly be pulling for your boys.
Loved following all your January adventures. I need to hang with you girl. Exciting!!! The meatballs too. Sweet and savory, great combo. I have a chicken recipe that uses apricot jam. It is seriously, the JAM! Definitely want to try these meatballs!
We went to Hawaii last year, and I would LOVE to go back!! These meatballs are awesome by the way 🙂
sorry, is it 32 meatballs total or 32 per package?!!
excited to try these!
Hi Heather! Our pre-packaged meatballs usually come in 32 per package. I would use 2 packages if your slow cooker will allow it. There is plenty of sauce!
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