Serve these Slow Cooker Sweet BBQ Meatballs at your next party and watch them disappear! Everyone will love these plant-based meatballs smothered in a homemade BBQ sauce sweetened with maple syrup. In partnership with Lightlife!
We’re already approaching the end of September…excuse me, WHAT?! There’s no way. Is anyone else kind of anxious about this year passing by so fast? It’s crazy that I’ve already lived here in Fort Collins for 2 months. Before you know it, I’ll be bundled up in layers of jackets to survive my first real winter. Wish me luck.
Although the passing of time is a bit nerve-racking, I do enjoy the colder months. I don’t really have a favorite season – I enjoy each of them for different reasons. I love the spring because my birthday month is April and it’s so colorful. I love summer mainly because, watermelon (lol). Fall and winter are fun because you get to cozy up and enjoy the holidays, plus winter food is THE BEST. Hellooooo, potatoes and chilis and comfort food.
Let me introduce you to another dish to put on your cozy meal list: Sweet BBQ Meatballs. Made in the slow cooker. Totally plant-based. 🌿🌿
I’ve talked before about my long-time distaste for BBQ sauce, but I’ve come around in the last few years. Now I like to make my own with simple ingredients like tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and sweeteners like maple syrup and molasses. Perfect for BBQ tofu, topping veggies, or these slow cooker sweet BBQ meatballs!
These are just like those BBQ meatballs that are ALWAYS at weddings or holiday parties. You know the ones I’m talking about—the cocktail meatballs dripping in BBQ sauce.
Dare I say these are better because they’re completely plant-based?!
The meatballs we’re using are the Lightlife Smart Menu Meatless Veggie Meatballs! You may have seen Lightlife at your local grocery store (Target, Safeway, & others); they make delicious meatless products like organic tempeh, crumbles, veggie dogs, and veggie deli slices.
Check out these recipes I’ve made with Lightlife products:
The Lightlife Smart Menu Meatless Veggie Meatballs have 13 grams of plant protein for serving that will help to keep you feeling satisfied. Check the Lightlife store locator to find their meatless meatballs (and other products) near you!
I know it might be too early to start planning your holiday menus, butttttt… you may want to save these for later, just sayin’. Serve them with a toothpick in each meatball for an easy finger food that will be gone in no time.
Slow Cooker Sweet BBQ Meatballs (plant-based)
Serve these Slow Cooker Sweet BBQ Meatballs at your next party and watch them disappear! Everyone will love these plant-based meatballs smothered in a homemade BBQ sauce sweetened with maple syrup.
Ingredients
- 2 8-ounce packages Lightlife Smart Menu Meatless Veggie Meatballs
- 2 6-ounce cans tomato paste
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons blackstrap molasses
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Defrost Lightlife Smart Menu Meatless Veggie Meatballs if needed.
- In the bowl of a slow cooker, add tomato pasta, vinegar, maple syrup, molasses, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard, salt, liquid smoke, paprika, and pepper. Stir to combine. Add meatballs and water; stir to evenly coat all meatballs in the sauce.
- Slow cook on high for 4-6 hours.
- Stick a toothpick in each meatball for serving.
Thanks to Lightlife for sponsoring this post! I love working with brands whose products I really love and would honestly recommend. Thank you for supporting this blog that I love oh-so-much!
