Crockpot Mississippi meatballs (Printable)

Slow-cooked tender meatballs with ranch, au jus, pepperoncini, and butter for a flavorful dish.

# What You Need:

→ Meatballs

01 - 1 bag (26 ounces) frozen meatballs

→ Seasonings

02 - 1 packet au jus gravy mix
03 - 1 packet ranch seasoning mix

→ Peppers

04 - 1 jar (16 ounces) sliced pepperoncini peppers with juice

→ Liquids and Fats

05 - ½ cup water
06 - ½ cup unsalted butter, diced

# How-To:

01 - Place frozen meatballs in the bottom of a slow cooker
02 - Sprinkle au jus gravy mix and ranch seasoning mix evenly over the meatballs
03 - Pour entire jar of sliced pepperoncini peppers including juice over the meatballs
04 - Add ½ cup water to the slow cooker
05 - Scatter diced butter evenly over the top
06 - Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are heated through and sauce is well combined
07 - Transfer to serving dish and serve hot as an appetizer with toothpicks, or over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice as a main dish

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You literally just dump everything in and walk away—no browning, no fussy techniques, just a slow cooker doing all the work.
  • The sauce is silky, tangy, and absolutely addictive, with just enough heat from the pepperoncini to keep things interesting without overwhelming anyone.
  • It works as both an elegant appetizer and a casual weeknight main, depending on your mood and what you serve it with.
02 -
  • Resist the urge to crank the heat to HIGH—slow cooking on LOW is what keeps the meatballs tender instead of bouncy or tough.
  • If your sauce looks too thin after cooking, don't panic; mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water into a slurry and stir it in during the last 15 minutes for a luxurious, cling-to-the-spoon thickness.
03 -
  • For a milder, more herb-forward version, use only half the pepperoncini juice and add an extra ¼ cup of water to balance the liquid.
  • If you want to dial up the spice, drain the pepperoncini juice and reserve it, then add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes with your seasoning packets for extra depth of heat.
Go Back