5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Guava BBQ Meatballs

These Slow Cooker Guava BBQ Meatballs are flavor-loaded, insanely good, and super versatile. Dump all 5-ingredients into your slow cooker then set it and forget it. Serve these tender, saucy meatballs as-is when entertaining (perfect game day appetizer!) or pair alongside your favorite sides to enjoy as a complete meal.

During football (and upcoming basketball) season, I just gotta have me some good eats on deck. Everything from chicken wings to dips to drinks, the munchies need to be on point, ha! Listen, there are only a handful of times that I commit to using a slow cooker, and meatballs is one of those times. I’ve said it many times before, it’s my least favorite cooking appliance but I love it for game day fun. These slow cooker guava bbq meatballs are such a treat, y’all.

Slow Cooker Guava BBQ Meatballs 🙌🏾

Move over baby shower grape jelly meatballs, these guava bbq meatballs are pullin’ up! Only 5-ingredients are needed for these flavor-filled + saucy slow cooker meatballs. Coming from a Caribbean background, I grew up on guava flavor a ton and its tropical essence is pure chef’s kiss. This recipe is beyond easy and perfect for entertaining a crowd or meal prep-friendly, too!

⇢ Whether it’s my Peanut Butter and Guava Muffins, this Guava Tequila Sour, or my super refreshing Frozen Mango Margarita…love dat guava! 🌺

Slow Cooker Meatballs: Recipe Highlights

Let’s start with some recipe highlights about these crockpot meatballs:

• QUICK & EASY: One of the selling points of slow cooker recipes is the whole set it and forget it bit. That’s exactly what it’s giving…dump all the ingredients into the vessel and go on about your business until ready to serve.
• 5-INGREDIENTS: Just five ingredients needed to whip up these guava bbq meatballs, peeps. All of them are easily accessible goods that come together in perfect harmony. The whole thing is super low-effort/high-reward.
• FULL OF FLAVOR: Minimal ingredients yet the right ingredients to deliver a ton of lip-smacking flavor. These slow cooker meatballs are both sweet and savory with a pop of umami goodness in there as well, mmm.
• VERSATILITY IN SERVING: Enjoy ’em for your entertaining shenanigans like parties or for a game day appetizer/snack. Alternatively, these guava bbq meatballs are clutch for weeknight dinner with your favorite sides!

Ingredients Needed For This Recipe:

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

• Frozen meatballs: Found in the freezer section of your local grocery store’s frozen meat area. Use whatever fully-cooked frozen meatballs you’d like here. Me? I’m a big fan of an all-beef meatball to use for this recipe.
• Guava jelly: The star jelly of this recipe! Guava jelly is often found right next to the other jellies in stores. It has a mildly sweet, slightly tangy flavor similar to passionfruit with a strong fragrance and vibrant color.
• Barbecue sauce: A bottle of your favorite bbq sauce delivers the smoky goodness that’s used in slow cooker meatballs. If you’re up for a homemade version, a double batch of my cola barbecue sauce would be the move.
• Miso paste: Miso is a fermented soybean paste, and a traditional Japanese seasoning that is considered a staple. It has a rich + salty flavor profile. You can typically find miso paste (in the refrigerated section, often near the tofu) at any Asian grocery market, and also other big box grocers.
• Mustard: Use smooth or whole grain for a pop of tang.

How To Make These Slow Cooker Guava BBQ Meatballs:

(Note: please see the recipe card directly below for the complete written instructions.)

1. Add the frozen meatballs, guava jelly, barbecue sauce, miso paste, and dijon mustard into a slow cooker vessel. Gently mix all the ingredients together until well combined…and dassit my friends, ha!
2. Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, stirring the meatballs every couple of hours. Keep meatballs covered, and on the warm setting until ready to serve.
3. Serve these guava bbq meatballs as-is for an appetizer or pair alongside your favorite sides (rice of choice, mashed potatoes, or veggies!), as desired.

Ways To Serve & Recipe Pairings

• Appetizer/snack– Grab a toothpick and dig in for the ultimate party finger food! Baby showers, tailgating grub, hang night with your crew and everything in between for a delish light bite to have on hand.
• The main thang– Serve these guava bbq meatballs as a main entree and pair alongside rice (check out our rice and peas and this gullah red rice), mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, a side salad, vegetables, etc.

Alternative Cooking Methods

If you want to make these guava bbq meatballs in other ways, let’s do it:

• Stovetop Guava BBQ Meatballs– Add the frozen meatballs, guava jelly, barbecue sauce, miso paste, and dijon mustard into a heavy-bottomed dutch oven or large pot over medium-low heat. Stir the ingredients to combine. Cook the meatballs for 30-35 minutes or until warmed through. Be sure to stir the mixture often to keep the bottom of the pot from scorching.
• Oven-Baked Guava BBQ Meatballs– Preheat the oven to 350°F. Add the frozen meatballs, guava jelly, barbecue sauce, miso paste, and dijon mustard into a large baking dish. Stir the ingredients to combine. Cook the meatballs for 20-25 minutes or until warmed through.

Storing Your Guava BBQ Meatballs

Keep meatballs with sauce stored inside of an airtight container. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Alternatively, to freeze meatballs, make sure they’re cooled to room temperature. Keep meatballs with sauce stored inside of a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through- adding a splash of water to help loosen sauce, if needed.

These Guava BBQ Meatballs can be whipped up whenever you’re entertaining or for a delicious lunch or dinner! Be sure to tag @butterbeready in your BBR recipe creations, I sure love to see it when you do. Until next time! 🤟🏾

More appetizers & snacks we love:

• Dill Pickle Ham and Cheese Sliders
• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
• Jamaican Beef Patties
• Southern Fried Green Tomatoes
• Chinese-Style Fried Chicken Wings
• Best Crab Cakes

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