Grape jelly meatballs are a traditional slow cooker appetizer that has been around for ages. A frozen meatball appetizer that will please your crowd. This crockpot meatball recipe is simple and takes three ingredients. A fun appetizer for all ages. Serve up this easy appetizer for game day, holiday parties, or as a main dish. This grape jelly sauce is sweet and savory in each bite.
If you are searching for more easy appetizers, I have some ideas for you. Beer Cheese Queso is a skillet queso that will melt in your mouth. Bacon-wrapped scallops or my BLT dip is another excellent choice. Try out one or more of these tangy sauce, grape jelly, and meatballs for your next party. The perfect appetizer, my favorite cocktail meatballs, to serve up for any and every occasion. Don’t wait and try this crockpot grape jelly meatballs recipe today.
This jelly meatball recipe is a favorite. It takes not even 5 minutes to prep and get that slow cooker, cooking. A cocktail meatball recipe that doesn’t disappoint. Also, check out my buffalo chicken meatballs.
Why This Recipe Is Popular
- 3 ingredients are all it takes for this easy recipe.
- This is a delicious grape jelly meatball recipe that is a crowd favorite and takes minimal prep.
- Feel free to use freezer meatballs for quick prep for your next game-day parties or holiday events.
- A great appetizer is a simple Crockpot appetizer.
- You are more than welcome to make this with different ingredients to change up the combination of the grape jelly appetizer.
- Classic party appetizer or a simple dinner for the whole family to enjoy.
- Made with simple ingredients that are easy to find and affordable to make.
Variations to the Recipe
Here are ways to elevate this classic recipe. This grape jelly meatball recipe is a hit for holiday potlucks, baby showers, game day fun, and more.
- Use cranberry sauce in place of grape jelly, equal parts. This will make them tasty cranberry meatballs with a sweet and sour flavor.
- You can use turkey meatballs instead of beef or sausage.
- Reach for 2 containers of little smokies to replace a bag of frozen meatballs.
- Instead of frozen, pre-made meatballs, make your own.
- Swap the grape jelly with orange marmalade for a twist in flavor. It makes this a sweeter meatball sauce.
- Make chili sauce meatballs instead. Reach for Heinz Chili Sauce instead of BBQ sauce for a nice spicy sauce.
- You can heat these on low on the stovetop and cook the meatballs for about an hour or so to skip the pan.
- Add a splash of cayenne pepper to add a kick of spice to the juicy meatballs.
How To Make
Full directions on how to make these game jelly meatballs are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post. This is a quick walk-through.
Step 1: In a bowl, mix the grape jelly and barbecue sauce. Set aside.
Step 2: Place frozen meatballs in your slow cooker pot. Then pour the mixture over the meatballs and toss with a spatula.
Step 3: Cover and cook on low as directed in the printable recipe card below.
Serve up these jelly and bbq sauce meatballs for game-day snacking, holidays, birthday parties, etc.
Can I Use Chili Sauce Instead of Barbecue Sauce
Yes, you can replace barbecue sauce with chili sauce. That is another popular way to make crockpot meatballs.
I personally prefer BBQ, but the chili sauce, grape jelly, and meatballs offer more of a sweet and spicy pairing.
Can I Cook Grape Jelly Meatballs on the Stove
Yep! Toss in your homemade or frozen meatballs into a pan. If homemade, cook the meatballs in a bit of oil to sear them first.
Then, when ready, pour grape jelly and barbecue all over the meatballs. Move the heat to low and stir often.
If cooking from frozen, you can cover the meatballs and slowly warm them for about 30 minutes. You can cook these meatballs longer if you would like to lock in even more flavor.
If you are cooking homemade, cook until all the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce thickens a bit, which takes about 45 minutes total.
Homemade Meatballs or Frozen
Not sure if you should make homemade meatballs or just buy frozen? Honestly, it is up to you!
I have done both, and they are equally good. A lot of times I reach for frozen meatballs to speed up the process. It makes it a no-fuss appetizer that way.
FAQs
You can replace the grape jelly. Simply use canned cranberry sauce, apply jelly, etc. I personally enjoy the cranberry twist if I make without grape jelly.
No, you toss your frozen meatballs right into the slow cooker. This is what I mean by easy prep. That is what makes these crockpot appetizer meatballs a breeze to make.
If you have room in your crockpot to add in more meatballs, go for it. You can make as many or as little as you would like. You just need room in your slow cooker.
Welch’s or Smuckers are the brands I reach for most often. I tend to buy what is on sale. But you can use any brand of jelly. Just remember, the jelly’s flavor will contribute to the meatballs’ overall flavor.
If you have Italian meatballs, you can use them in place of the classic. It will, of course, alter the flavor a bit, but it will taste pretty great.
Storing Meatballs
If you have leftovers, lucky you! Just allow your meatballs to cool a bit then transfer to an airtight container. The slow-cooker meatballs will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge. Eat the leftover meatballs cold or warm them up in the microwave or on the stove top.
You can also freeze the meatballs. Place meatballs in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for 2-3 months. Then when you are ready thaw in the fridge overnight, or defrost straight from the freezer. You can also warm up the leftover meatballs on the warm setting on your slow cooker. Or heat on the stovetop at medium-low.
More Frozen Meatball Recipes
- Instant Pot Hawaiian Meatballs
- Pressure Cooker Lazy Lasagna with Meatballs
- Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Swedish Meatballs
- Meatball Casserole
Have you tried the recipe? If so, please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below or drop a comment. Also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Facebook, Pinterest, or My Facebook Group
Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
Quick, crowd-pleasing Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs made with just 3 simple ingredients! These juicy cocktail meatballs are tossed with grape jelly and tangy barbecue sauce, then slow cooked until tender and flavorful — the perfect appetizer for game day, parties, holidays, or easy weeknight snacking. With only 5 minutes of prep and minimal effort, this classic slow-cooker favorite is a must-try for any occasion!
Ingredients
- 1 -28 oz bag of Frozen Meatballs, or Homemade
- 1 bottle (18 ounces bottle barbeque sauce
- 1 cup grape jelly
Instructions
- To start you will toss all your frozen meatballs into your slow cooker. Set it aside.
- Grab a small bowl and whisk your grape jelly and barbeque sauce together. Mix until it is fully mixed.
- Pour the grape jelly meatball sauce over the meatballs and stir well. Ensure the meatballs are coated in the sauce.
- Cover your slow cooker with a lid, and cook on low heat for 3-5 hours on low. Or you can allow them to cook through the day if you want meatballs more done.
- Once your grape jelly meatballs are done, dish out and serve with toothpicks if you would like for a simple cocktail meatball.
Notes
Chili Sauce instead of BBQ Sauce - You can substitute chili sauce in replace of the barbeque sauce in this recipe.
Sugar Free Ingredients - If you want a sugar free recipe, reach for sugar free jelly and bbq sauce.
Double Recipe - Want to double your recipe? Go right ahead if your crockpot is big enough to hold it all. You will cook for the same amount of time or add an extra hour or so to ensure fully warmed up.
Homemade Meatballs - If you want to use homemade meatballs go right ahead and use them in replace of frozen.
Less Sweet Meatballs - For a less sweet meatball use 1/2 cup of grape jelly instead of 1 cup. You can alter the recipe to fit your flavor preference.
Italian Meatballs - If you don't have classic meatballs you can use Italian. It will just add a little bit more of a kick.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 15 Serving Size: 2 meatballsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 195Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 380mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 8g
This information is automatically calculated by third-party software, including but not limited to the Create or Bake Me Some Sugar. For accurate nutrition, I suggest running the ingredients in your own system to get a more accurate reading. Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
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