Replace the BBQ sauce for Chili Sauce (next to the ketchup in the grocery stores) for a less sweet and more tangy flavor, or consider using a combination of both. A little bit of mustard is also good in the mix to tame the sweetness a bit.

Add Cayenne pepper or hot sauce to kick up the heat factor.

You can use plain or Italian style frozen meatballs for this recipe.

I’ve found that a thicker BBQ sauce works best (like Sweet Baby Ray’s), otherwise the sauce may turn out a bit runnier than desired.

Although I’ve never tried it, I’ve read that other flavors of jelly like strawberry or apricot also work well for this recipe.

Try using a liner in your crockpot for easier cleanup.