This recipe is all about simple! I’m not sure exactly how I first came across it—maybe from Pinterest, but it’s originally from Better Homes & Gardens. It sounded so good and super-easy to make. I’ve made similar recipes that just use barbeque sauce, so the addition of plum jam in the sauce sounded like a nice variation.
For this recipe, you use those big smoked sausage links and cut them into bite-size pieces. And you mix the sausage, along with some pre-made frozen meatballs (thawed), in the plum jam-barbeque sauce mixture and cook in your slow cooker–and the result is a super-yummy appetizer or party snack that is hard to stop eating! 🙂 If you want to add a little zing to the sauce, you can add some chopped jalapeno, too. I thought I’d try making this recipe a little lighter by using smoked turkey sausage and turkey meatballs—I thought the smoked turkey sausage was great in this, but didn’t care for the turkey meatballs—their flavor just wasn’t that great. So, stick with beef meatballs for this! OR, you can make it with all sausage or all meatballs, 32-ounces total, but I think the combination of sausage and meatballs is nice!
Saucy Plum Sausage and Meatballs
SAUCY PLUM SAUSAGE AND MEATBALLS by NancyC, adapted from Better Homes & Gardens 
Makes about 16 servings
- 1 (10-ounce) jar plum jam or preserves
- 1 (18-ounce) bottle barbeque sauce (1 2/3 cups)
- 1 (16-ounce) link cooked smoked sausage, cut into bite-size pieces (I used smoked turkey sausage)
- 1 (16-ounce) package frozen cooked meatballs, thawed (about 16-18 meatballs, depending on size-beef meatballs work better than turkey meatballs in this recipe!)
- Optional: 1 Tablespoon finely chopped jalapeno (seeds removed)
In a 3 1/2 or 4-quart slow cooker, combine the jam and barbeque sauce. Add the sausage and thawed meatballs, stirring to coat with sauce.
Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Serve with toothpicks–use decorative ones if you’re serving this at a party or special get-together. To serve at a buffet, keep warm on LOW setting for up to 2 hours.
Recipe from NancyC | nancy-c.com
I love snack and party foods like this that are so simple! What’s your favorite easy-to-make appetizer?
Sharing at Thursday Favorite Things, Full Plate Thursday, Tasty Tuesdays, Wonderful Wednesday, Hearth & Soul, Silver Pennies Sundays, Inspire Me Monday, Happiness is Homemade, Weekend Potluck, Meal Plan Monday, Fiesta Friday.
Oh wow! this dish looks really yummy! I have soudjouk at home, I could try to make it!
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Meatballs are my FAVORITE party food Nancy- I can never eat too many of them. Needless to say, I’ll be hogging these at the party. Great recipe and pic 🙂
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Thanks, Jess! 🙂
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I bet the blend of BBQ sauce with the sweetened plum preserves is fabulous! I’ve had a variation of this over the years, but only with meatballs. I love the addition of sausage as well. Delicious! [Thanks for sharing your comments on turkey vs beef meatballs, too. I will keep that in mind when trying this out!]
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Oh my, Nancy…please correct my error in calling you Julianna. I profusely apologize!! Just so wrapped up in all the fiesta Friday visits, I forgot where I was!
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No problem, Nancy! I think I have done the same thing! 🙂
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meaty and easy, two good combos xx
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I like the idea of the plum! What a nice addition Nancy!
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Thanks, Lori! 🙂
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This is definitely going on my list to make, sounds so yummy and I can do it in the crockpot? Perfect! The plum in it makes me think of the hunger games (and probably won’t make anyone else thing of it unless they read it as much as I do!!) so that’s always a bonus!
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Yes, I love these easy crockpot recipes, too and the plum jam gives it a great flavor–hope you like it, Michelle! 🙂
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Hey Nancy, these do look good; I bet cooking in some fresh figs would also be a nice addition. Love your striped cloth sporting the promise if fiestas and summer. Thanks for joining us, you will need a cocktail to wash those down.
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The figs are a great idea, Stacey!
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Again, just a thought. Love meatballs for apps!
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this looks so amazing Nancy! 🙂
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Thank you, Ayesha! 🙂
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Very nice!
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Woow! This times items in the fiesta are each better than the other. Luv this.
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Ooh, that sauce sounds so good, Nancy!
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Oh looks super yummylicious! I will have to make this for the boys soon 🙂 If you have time, pls stop by our Snickerdoodle Sunday sometime!
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Thank you and thanks for letting me know about your link up! 🙂
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Love the addition of jalapenos and plums!
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We will love your Saucy Plum Sausage and Meatballs, great appetizer! Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Be safe and come back soon!
Miz Helen
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Thanks, and hope you have a great weekend too! 🙂
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what a wonderful mix of flavors. Thank you for sharing your sweet blog at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop. Your participation helps to make it extra special ♥
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Thanks Katherine, and thanks for hosting the linkup! 🙂
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This looks like a crowd pleaser for sure! Interesting about the turkey meatballs. I’ve used turkey sausage in jambalaya and didn’t care so much for it, but never used turkey meatballs. Anyway, good to know.
Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday!!
Mollie
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Maybe it was the brand I bought, but I was disappointed in those turkey meatballs! And I like turkey burgers! Maybe homemade turkey meatballs are the way to go!
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These look so good, can’t wait to try!
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Hope you enjoy the recipe, Amanda! 🙂
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