Dr. Pepper Meatballs
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Sweet and tangy thanks to the combination of ketchup, brown sugar, cider vinegar, and Dr. Pepper, with a smell that sets stomachs growling, these Dr. Pepper meatballs are the perfect game-day treat.
To make Dr. Pepper meatballs, you’re going to need some store-bought or homemade meatballs, granulated garlic, Dr. Pepper soda, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and ketchup. It sounds like an eclectic mix of ingredients, but the end result is an irresistibly sweet, savory, and tangy glaze. Trust me, after that first bite you’ll be as addicted as I am.
The instructions couldn’t be easier either. Just combine all the sauce ingredients, bring them to a boil, add the meatballs, and cook until the sauce thickens (about 20 minutes). They’ll be ready to eat in just 30 minutes. That’s my kind of quick meal! These bite-sized appetizers are perfect for your next holiday party, tailgating event, or potluck. But you better make double because I bet they’ll disappear in seconds.
What You’ll Need to Make Dr. Pepper Meatballs
Ingredients
- ketchup
- apple cider vinegar
- Dr. Pepper
- garlic powder
- brown sugar
- meatballs
How to Make Dr. Pepper Meatballs
Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a dutch oven and season with and to taste. Cook sauce over medium heat and stir constantly until everything is all blended together (about five minutes or so).
Add in meatballs, you can use fresh or frozen (no thawing necessary), and stir to coat.
Continue to cook over medium heat and bring sauce to a light boil. Stir the meatballs gently every so often, being careful not to break up the meatballs. Simmer for about 20 minutes (or so) until the sauce is reduced and coats the meatballs well.
Serve Dr. Pepper Meatballs over rice, riced cauliflower and nestle some meatballs along with the sauce on top. If you are serving these for a party or, put them on a platter with toothpicks!
Enjoy the sweet tangy goodness!
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat in the microwave.
Tips for making Dr. Pepper Meatballs
- You can use regular Dr. Pepper, Generic Dr. Pepper, Diet Dr. Pepper or even Dr. Pepper Zero. You could also use Coke. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try another soda flavor!
- In this recipe both fresh or frozen meatball options are already cooked. But you could make this with uncooked meatballs because the heat and time are plenty long enough to get them done. Just be a little more careful in stirring because they are gonna break apart easier and they will be tempted to stick to the bottom of the pot.
- For a different flavor, substitute the ketchup for your favorite BBQ sauce. You can’t go wrong with Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce.
- If you like, add a garnish of chopped fresh parsley or green onion.
- For , add a pinch of . For a more savory , add a teaspoon of .
Dr. Pepper Meatball Recipe FAQs
Can I make Dr. Pepper meatballs in the crockpot?
Yes, you can make these meatballs in the crockpot. Combine all ingredients and cook in the slow cooker on high for 2 to 3 hours or on low for 4 to 5 hours. Give them a stir every hour or so. You can also conveniently leave your slow cooker on the warm setting afterward so they stay warm during your gathering.
How do you serve Dr. Pepper meatballs?
You can serve your meatballs as an appetizer or main meal. If going for the main dish option, serve them with cooked rice or mashed potatoes and your favorite veggie side dish. This might be fresh green beans, zucchini and squash, or roasted veggies.
Other Meatball Recipes You’ll Love
- Salisbury Steak Meatballs in the Crockpot
- Cranberry Orange Meatballs
- Speedy Italian Meatball Soup
- Puff Pastry Meatball Marinara Bites
Ingredients
- 2 lbs frozen meatballs (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 can Dr. Pepper
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup dark or light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
Instructions
- Combine everything except the meatballs in a dutch oven or a similar pot on the stovetop. Stirring constantly, bring this just to a boil over medium-high heat.1 can Dr. Pepper, 1 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup dark or light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- Carefully add meatballs and stir to coat. Continue to cook over medium heat until sauce has reduced by at least half and is nice and thick (roughly 20 minutes), stirring every so often to prevent meatballs from burning.2 lbs frozen meatballs (store-bought or homemade)
- Serve on their own as an appetizer or over rice as a meal.
I made these meatballs when I had no time and needed something quick. My husband and I LOVED them. I had onion rolls that I fashioned into a pocket to hold the meatballs and sauce, sprinkled with a little grated cheddar and they were so yummy and just the ticket while watching a football game. I didn’t have any regular dr. pepper, so used coke instead. Thank you for the super easy and delicious recipe!
I love everything about this post Christy, and would like to see it show up every year…..all your posts are timeless.
Love the recipe too.
Thank you so much Dianne, that means the world to me!
Your son reciting Isaiah was surely like a “balm from Gilead” for your spirit Christy! I know that it blessed me tremendously, and I know someone who needs that Word right now, and I thank you for sharing it again (I saw that I’m a little late human-timing wise, but not in God ‘s timing)! I’m also glad that I came upon this recipe, as I plan to make it next week! Be blessed!
An encouragement to see if my old memory can memorize this Chapter. Kudos to your son and God bless him.
Wow. Just wow!! I’m in one of those waiting periods, where you wonder when on earth God’s going to answer you? Or if He has in fact answered already and I just didn’t hear it or pay enough attention? I loved the analogy about pulling back the petals on a flower. I love it when God sends moments like these into our days! 🙂 Thanks for using the platform you’ve been given to share so much with all of us. You truly are an inspiration on so many levels. I love hearing your life stories and your little nuggets of truth! Thanks for the daily Bible readings – they’re awesome! 🙂
Thank you so much Melanie, I am so grateful for folks like you and the encouragement and blessings I receive from each of you!!
God is still in control! We just have to remember it and give Him the glory. He keeps all His promises. We just fail to trust Him.
Amen! Well said Alice!
Chisty, you will never know what that scripture meant for me this day. We have
been dealing with the sudden onset of a very rare cancer with my son’s girlfriend.
She is in treatment now but it is a very aggressive type of cancer which the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa has just come up with a type of treatment for it, it is that rare.
The next time I visit her, I will most certainly share this scripture with her. It has
helped me so much, as I hope it will her.
Thanks for your cooking inspiration and, especially, your spiritual inspiration.
You’re the greatest!
Hi Margie,I am not sure about being the greatest, but thank you! I am so sorry to hear about you son’s girlfriend, I will make sure to put her on my prayer list!