Sweet & Tangy BBQ Meatball Sliders Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. See the full details here.

Looking for an easy party dish that everyone will be grabbing seconds of? These Sweet & Tangy BBQ Meatball Sliders are a total crowd-pleaser.

No matter if you’re hosting a game day party, backyard BBQ, picnic, birthday bash, or casual get-together, this recipe brings big flavor with little effort.

The mix of barbecue sauce and grape jelly gives these sliders that perfect sweet-and-savory kick.

Melted muenster cheese, zesty pickles, and soft buns? Yes, please!

Get ready to be asked for the recipe — again and again.

 

A picture of a set of thrree barbecue meatball sliders.

 

Ingredients You’ll Need For This Recipe:

Yields:  12 Sliders

Prep time: 10 minutes

Idle/Oven time: 25-30 minutes

Total time: 60 minutes

 

Ingredients:

  • 24 frozen italian meatballs
  • 12 slider buns 
  • 12 muenster cheese slices 
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup grape jelly
  • 1 cup chopped scallions
  • 1 cup bread and butter pickles

 

A picture of ingredients needed to make meatball sliders.

 

Step-by-step Guide:

1 – Put meatballs on a sheet of aluminum foil on a baking sheet.

 

A picture of frozen meatballs on a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

 

2 – Bake the meatballs according to instructions.

3 – Take the meatballs out of the oven and sit them to the side.

 

A picture of baked meatballs on a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

 

4 – Place the barbecue sauce and grape jelly in the frying pan.

 

A picture of grape jelly and barbecue sauce unmixed in a plate.

 

5 – Put the pan on the stove over medium high heat.

6 – Stir the mixture until it starts to bubble and slightly thicken.

 

A picture of grape jelly and barbecue sauce simmering in a plate.

 

7 – Pour the meatballs into the pan with the sauce and use a spatula or spoon to mix the meatballs around in the pan.

 

A picture of grape jelly and barbecue sauce simmering in a plate.

 

8 – Make sure all the meatballs are completely covered and let them simmer for about 3 mins.

 

A picture of meatballs in a skillet coated with sauce.

 

9 – Remove the pan from the heat.

10 – Place the bottom half of the slider buns in a 9×13 inch baking dish.

 

A picture of the bottom half of a set of dinner rolls in a baking pan.

 

11 – Put two meatballs on each bun in the baking dish. Spoon a little bit of sauce over the meatballs.

 

A picture of saucy meatballs placed on the bottom half of a set of slider buns in a baking pan.

 

12 – Lay the slices of muenster cheese over the meatballs.

 

A picture of muenster cheese placed over meatballs on slider buns.

 

13 – Place the baking dish in the oven on 350 for 3-5 minutes to melt the cheese.

14 – Once the pan is out of the oven sprinkle the scallions and pickles randomly on the cheese covered meatballs.

 

A picture of pickles and scallions sprinkled over meatball sliders with melted cheese.

 

15 – Place the top half of the buns on top of the cheese covered meatballs.

 

A picture of the top half of slider buns placed over cooked meatball sliders.

 

16 – Use a knife to separate the sliders or clean hands pull them apart.

17 – Serve while hot and enjoy!

 

A picture of completed bbq meatball sliders.

 

Pro Tips for Success:

  • Use mini brioche buns for an extra touch of buttery flavor and fancy feel without extra work.

  • Add a dash of hot sauce to the BBQ and jelly mix if your crowd loves a little heat.

  • Swap in turkey or veggie meatballs if you’re serving guests with dietary needs or lighter preferences.

  • Toast the buns lightly before assembling for sliders that don’t get soggy on the bottom.

  • Try different cheeses like provolone or pepper jack for a fun flavor twist!

 

A close up picture of bbq meatball sliders.

 

Whether it’s a sunny picnic, a football Sunday, or a family birthday bash, these BBQ Meatball Sliders bring the flavor and the fun.

They’re easy to make, packed with sweet and tangy goodness, and always a hit.

Whip them up once and they’ll be on your party menu forever!

 

A picture of a set of thrree barbecue meatball sliders.

BBQ Meatball Sliders

Yield: 12 sliders
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 24 frozen italian meatballs
  • 12 slider buns 
  • 12 muenster cheese slices 
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup grape jelly
  • 1 cup chopped scallions
  • 1 cup bread and butter pickles

Instructions

    1. Put meatballs on a sheet of aluminum foil on a baking sheet.

    2. Bake the meatballs according to instructions.

    3. Take the meatballs out of the oven and sit them to the side.

    4. Place the barbecue sauce and grape jelly in the frying pan.

    5. Put the pan on the stove over medium high heat.

    6. Stir the mixture until it starts to bubble and slightly thicken.

    7. Pour the meatballs into the pan with the sauce and use a spatula or spoon to mix the meatballs around in the pan.

    8. Make sure all the meatballs are completely covered and let them simmer for about 3 mins.

    9. Remove the pan from the heat.

    10. Place the bottom half of the slider buns in a 9x13 inch baking dish.

    11. Put two meatballs on each bun in the baking dish. Spoon a little bit of sauce over the meatballs.

    12. Lay the slices of muenster cheese over the meatballs.

    13. Place the baking dish in the oven on 350 for 3-5 minutes to melt the cheese.

    14. Once the pan is out of the oven sprinkle the scallions and pickles randomly on the cheese covered meatballs.

    15. Place the top half of the buns on top of the cheese covered meatballs.

    16. Use a knife to separate the sliders or clean hands pull them apart.

    17. Serve while hot and enjoy!

Skip to Recipe