Slow Cooker Apple Cider Maple Meatballs Recipe
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Maple Meatballs combine the sweet and tangy flavors of apple cider and pure maple syrup with savory fully-cooked meatballs, enhanced by warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This easy, set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker recipe is perfect for cozy fall dinners, holiday gatherings, or game day parties, offering a deliciously glazed, tender meatball dish with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 2 lbs frozen fully-cooked meatballs
Sauce
- 1 ½ cups apple cider
- ¾ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add Meatballs: Place the frozen fully-cooked meatballs into a 5-quart or larger slow cooker, ensuring they are evenly spread out for uniform cooking.
- Mix Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together apple cider, pure maple syrup, ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the meatballs in the slow cooker. Gently stir to coat all meatballs evenly with the glaze.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. During cooking, stir occasionally if possible to prevent sticking and ensure even glaze coverage.
- Season and Garnish: After cooking, taste the meatballs and add salt and pepper as needed. If desired, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a fresh, vibrant finish before serving.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the slow cooker to ensure even cooking and glazing of meatballs.
- Stir the meatballs halfway through cooking if possible to prevent sticking and promote thorough sauce coverage.
- Use high-quality fresh apple cider (not apple juice) and 100% pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
- This dish can be made with beef, turkey, chicken, or plant-based meatballs.
- For a less sweet version, reduce maple syrup to ½ cup.
- Use low-sodium ketchup and Worcestershire sauce to reduce salt content.
- The sauce can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Fully cook homemade meatballs before adding to the slow cooker to maintain shape and texture.
Keywords: slow cooker meatballs, apple cider meatballs, maple syrup meatballs, fall recipes, easy appetizer, game day recipe, holiday party food
