A spin on a classic, this recipe adds pineapple chunks and apricot preserves to the crockpot to bring in a refreshing, vibrant flavor!

---

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Makes about 16-20 servings

• 1 jar (12-13 oz) apricot preserves
• 1-1/2 cups barbecue sauce (I like Stubb’s or Organic Good & Gather)
• 1 package frozen meatballs
• 1 package mini beef smokies hot dogs, drained
• 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained and rinsed

• In your slow cooker, mix together the barbecue sauce and apricot preserves.
• Add in your meatballs and smokies and stir well to coat.
• Cook on high for 1 hour or low for 2-3 hours. Check meatballs to be sure they are cooked through and heated thoroughly.
• Stir in pineapple chunks and heat for another 20 minutes.
• Reduce heat to warm or turn off entirely and serve while warm.

• My slow cooker tends to cook things faster than the recipes say, especially on high, which is why I’m careful to say to check everything after an hour. Because everything you are adding is already cooked (nothing raw), the point is really to just heat through and have the flavors of the apricot come together with the barbecue sauce. You may need to cook longer depending on your crockpot.
• I recommend using normal sized frozen meatballs, not mini’s. I made this mistake once thinking that they would work better because the smokies are a small version of hotdogs…but the mini’s are more like the size of large pebbles. They are so tiny and kind of just get lost in the sauce.

I’ll be honest–I don’t love smokies with just barbecue sauce. 10 out of 10 times I’ll pass. But this recipe hits it out of the park. The citrus flavors with the barbecue sauce are so tangy and good, and I actually love having the meatballs in it too! And the pineapple chunks drenched in the sauce makes your taste buds so happy.

I know lots of game day hosts will do meatballs and smokies separately, but I don’t want that many crockpots out (or to clean later) and this is a cool way to have both.

I do recommend serving this for a crowd because it does make quite a bit and you WILL have leftovers if there are just a couple of you. Especially if you’re making other snacks and treats.

Until next time,