Here’s a recipe to keep in mind for a party, casual gathering, or fun game-watching…and it makes a great snack anytime! These Slow Cooker Plum Sausage and Meatballs are really good and easy to make! The plum jam gives the sauce in this recipe a really good flavor. If you don’t have plum jam, you could substitute apricot jam or apple butter—I’ve read that these have a similar flavor to plum jam.
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 these 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.
To make this a little lighter, you can use smoked turkey sausage, but use beef meatballs rather than turkey—the taste is just better with beef meatballs! Also, if you like, you could make this recipe using all sausage or all meatballs, 32-ounces total, but I think the combination of sausage and meatballs is really good!
Slow Cooker Plum Sausage and Meatballs
SAUCY PLUM SAUSAGE AND MEATBALLS by NancyC
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 beef or turkey sausage, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 (16-ounce) package frozen cooked meatballs, thawed (about 16 to 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 and so tasty! What’s your favorite easy-to-make appetizer?
Sharing at Farmhouse Friday, Meal Plan Sunday, Weekend Potluck, Thursday Favorite Things, Full Plate Thursday, Homestead Blog Hop, LouLou Girls, Happiness is Homemade.
NancyC 
8 responses to “Slow Cooker Plum Sausage and Meatballs”
I need to use my slow cooker more often! Such a brilliant appliance!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I like slow cookers! I’m kind of behind in kitchen appliance technology—I still don’t have an instant pot! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I finally got one last year, and I must admit I love it for pressure cooking, but don’t really think about it for the slow cooking. I guess I don’t want my crock pot to get jealous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀 Well, I may have to get one, one of these days—or at least a hot air fryer—I might use that more! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you have a convection oven?
LikeLike
No, just a regular oven—but I’ve read they works similar to hot air fryers—that’s a good thing to remember! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got an air fryer, and soon I realized it is really just a mini convection oven! I have a convection oven, so I guess this is redundant for me, and I don’t really use it because I can make a much larger batch in the oven.
However, if you don’t have a convection oven, I think you’ll love an air fryer! With just a smidge of oil, you can make some pretty crispy and wonderful “fried” foods!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’ve seen lots of good air fryer recipes, so I’ll have to get an air fryer one of these days! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person