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Mrs. Ruth's Balsamic Strawberry Slow Cooker Meatballs stacked on a cutting board with a jar of jam sitting beside it.

Mrs. Ruth's Balsamic Strawberry Slow Cooker Meatballs

These aren't your average party meatballs. Mrs. Ruth's Balsamic Strawberry Jam brings a rich, fruity depth to a smoky BBQ sauce — the kind of unexpected combination that has guests asking for the recipe all night. Whether you're hosting game day, a holiday gathering, or just need an easy weeknight dinner, this one delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes (oven) or 2 hours (slow cooker)
Total Time: 45 minutes (oven) or 2 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker)
Servings: 10

Ingredients

  • 1 (10 oz) jar Mrs. Ruth's Balsamic Strawberry Jam
  • ½ cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha chili sauce
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 pounds frozen meatballs (or pre-cooked sausages such as Lil' Smokies, sliced Kielbasa, or chicken sausages)
  • Cooking spray or 1 teaspoon cooking oil

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together Mrs. Ruth's Balsamic Strawberry Jam, barbecue sauce, Dijon mustard, Sriracha, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes until well combined. Set aside.

Slow Cooker Method:

  1. Lightly coat the slow cooker insert with cooking spray or oil.
  2. Add frozen meatballs directly to the slow cooker — no need to thaw.
  3. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and toss to coat evenly.
  4. Cover and cook on High for 2–2½ hours, stirring halfway through, until the sauce has thickened and the meatballs are heated through.

Oven Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a Dutch oven or oven-safe baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
  2. Add meatballs to the dish, pour sauce over top, and toss to coat.
  3. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until sauce is bubbling and meatballs are heated through.

Tips & Notes

  • Serve as an appetizer or main: Serve warm with toothpicks for a party, or spoon over steamed rice or mashed potatoes for a satisfying dinner.
  • Frozen meatballs work great: No need to thaw for the slow cooker method — just add them straight in.
  • Adjust the heat: Add more Sriracha or red pepper flakes for extra kick, or leave them out entirely for a milder sauce.
  • Storage: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Flavor Pairings We Love

  • Balsamic Strawberry Jam → meatballs, pulled pork, grilled chicken, sharp cheddar
  • Balsamic Onion Chutney → chicken wings, grilled sausage, flatbread
  • Red Ruby Jam → pulled pork sliders, BBQ sauce, cornbread
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