This easy Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Chili Bacon Meatballs recipe is a simple, hearty dish packed with savory bacon and a sweet chili sauce. Perfect for a family meal, it’s quick to prepare and cooks itself in the slow cooker. You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste!

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Recipe Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon, finely chopped (or pulsed in a food processor)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 lbs (908 g) ground beef
• ½ cup (68 g) breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• ½ cup (30 g) chopped fresh parsley
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce

Sauce

• ¾ cup (180 ml) chili sauce
• ¾ cup (165 g) brown sugar
• ¾ cup (180 ml) whipped salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip)

How To Make Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Chili Bacon Meatballs

1. Prepare the Meatballs: Combine the bacon, onion, ground beef, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, parsley, egg, garlic, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. Mix just until incorporated. For easier mixing, you can use your hands (moisten them with water if the mixture is sticky). Form the mixture into 1½-inch (3.8 cm) meatballs and set aside.
2. Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, stir together the chili sauce, brown sugar, and whipped salad dressing until smooth.
3. Cook in the Slow Cooker: Add half of the sauce to the bottom of your 6-quart (6-L) slow cooker. Place the meatballs in the sauce, then pour the remaining sauce over the top. Cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours.

Recipe Tips

• Moisten your hands: When rolling the meatballs, lightly moisten your hands with water to prevent the mixture from sticking. This makes shaping the meatballs easier.
• Don’t overmix: Mix the meatball ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can make them tough.
• Check for doneness: Ensure the meatballs are fully cooked by checking if they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
• Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of brown sugar or use a sugar substitute.
• Use lean beef: For a healthier option, use lean ground beef to cut down on the fat while keeping the meatballs juicy.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Recipes:

• Slow Cooker Brown Lentil And Vegetable Massaman Curry
• Slow Cooker Braised Root Vegetable Salad With Chickpeas And Couscous
• Slow Cooker Braised Artichokes With Potatoes, Garlic And Sage