Slow Cooker Carolina Gold Meatballs for Easy Weeknight Dinners Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For a more intense smoky flavor, consider adding a tiny dash of liquid smoke to the mustard barbecue sauce before pouring it over the meatballs.

This enhances the profile of the smoked paprika and provides a deeper, wood-fired taste that pairs exceptionally well with the tanginess of the mustard.

If serving as an appetizer, use decorative toothpicks to make the meatballs easy to grab. If serving as a main course, pair them with creamy mashed potatoes or steamed green beans to balance the acidity of the sauce.

The leftovers are even better the next day as the flavors continue to marry in the refrigerator.

Variations

• Spicy Carolina Meatballs: Add two tablespoons of hot sauce or a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the mustard barbecue sauce for an extra kick of heat that complements the tang.
• Sweet and Tangy Twist: Stir in two tablespoons of brown sugar or honey to the sauce before cooking to create a sweeter glaze that pairs wonderfully with the mustard base.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

Store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Ensure the meatballs are completely cooled to room temperature, which should take no longer than two hours, before placing them in the fridge to maintain food safety and quality.

This dish is an excellent candidate for making ahead. The flavors actually improve after sitting in the refrigerator overnight.

Simply prepare the recipe as directed, allow it to cool, and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave when ready to serve. This makes it a perfect option for stress-free party hosting.

Serving ideas

When serving as a main dish, place the meatballs over a bed of fluffy white rice or alongside roasted root vegetables to soak up the extra sauce.

The tanginess of the mustard barbecue base pairs beautifully with neutral starches, creating a balanced and satisfying meal that is easy to assemble on busy weeknights.

For a casual party setting, keep the meatballs in the slow cooker on the warm setting. Provide plenty of toothpicks or small cocktail forks and napkins. Guests can help themselves directly from the pot, which keeps the meatballs at the perfect temperature throughout the duration of the event.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Slow Cooker Carolina Gold Meatballs for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Prep 5 minCook 4 hRest 5 minTotal 4 h 10 minServes 6

Ingredients

• 2 lb frozen precooked turkey meatballs
• 1/2 cup diced white onion
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 cups mustard barbecue sauce

Instructions

1. Place the frozen precooked turkey meatballs into the bottom of the slow cooker insert. Ensure they are distributed evenly across the base to allow for consistent heating during the cooking process.
2. Scatter the diced white onion over the meatballs. Follow this by sprinkling the smoked paprika evenly over the top to ensure the flavor is distributed across the entire dish.
3. Pour the mustard barbecue sauce over the meatballs and onions. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
4. Carefully remove the meatballs from the slow cooker and transfer them to a serving platter. Drizzle any remaining sauce from the insert over the top before serving hot.

Contains: mustard

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

280

Protein

18 g

Carbohydrates

12 g

Fat

16 g

Fiber

1 g

Sugar

8 g

Sodium

650 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.