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slow cooker guinness meatballs over mashed potatoes on a white plate
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Guinness Meatballs (Slow Cooker Recipe)

Slow cooker Guinness meatballs are tender, flavorful, and simmered in a rich beer barbecue sauce situation. This meal takes only minutes to put together but your crockpot does the heavy work! Treat yourself to a cozy main or a yummy appetizer for Game Day or even St. Patrick's Day!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time2 hours 45 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Irish
Servings: 8
Calories: 444kcal
Author: Meaghan - The Quicker Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 1 32 oz pkg frozen meatballs
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion peeled & finely diced
  • 1 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 cups Guinness beer
  • 1 8 oz can tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add the meatballs to the bowl of your slow cooker.
    1 32 oz pkg frozen meatballs
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet set over medium high heat. Once the oil's hot add the onions, stirring to combine. Saute until softened, stirring occasionally, until tender.
    1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 small yellow onion
  • Add the garlic and saute for 60 seconds.
    1 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
  • Add the beer, tomato paste, barbecue sauce, sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, and thyme to the skillet then whisk together until everything's evenly combined.
    1 1/2 cups Guinness beer, 1 8 oz can tomato paste, 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
  • Bring the sauce to a boil then immediately reduce the heat to low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring often.
  • Pour the sauce evenly out overtop of the meatballs, then give everything a stir to evenly coat.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours.
  • Serve plain, with a side of steamed rice, or over mashed potatoes.

Notes

  • Don't skip sauteeing the onions on the stove top or cooking the sauce. The onions won't soften enough in the slow cooker and the sauce won't reduce properly if you skip this step.
  • This recipe is best with beef meatballs but you can really use any kind of meatballs you like.
  • For a zesty twist, use a spicy barbecue sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 444kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 524mg | Potassium: 712mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 488IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg