Only three ingredients to make these easy Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs! Great for any party.
Frozen meatballs are easily made in the slow cooker, besides this easy recipe I love to make barbecue meatballs and meatball subs.
My go-to meatball recipe has always been with barbecue sauce until I tried crockpot grape jelly meatballs! What amazing flavor these meatballs have. I can’t just eat one but MUST go back for many plates of these. You can also use this recipe to make Grape Jelly Little Smokies!
How to make Grape Jelly Meatballs:
- Grape Jelly – Grape jelly (I use Welch’s) is the magic ingredient in this recipe. It is not overpowering, it’s a subtle flavor and add sweetness to the recipe.
- Chili Sauce – Look for Heinz or the store brand
- Meatballs – These are found in the frozen section in your store.
What is chili sauce?
- There are different types of chili sauce, the one in this recipe is near the ketchup in your grocery store (I use Heinz chili sauce).
- Heinz chili sauce is made from tomatoes, garlic, sweet peppers, and aromatic spices
- DO NOT use sriracha hot chili sauce or sweet Thai chili sauce unless you want it to be VERY spicy.
Can I use a different type of Jelly?
Yes, use a jelly, jam or preserves. Here are some great altertives to grape jelly:
- Strawberry jam or jelly
- Apple jelly
- Raspberry jam or preserves
What can I use instead of chili sauce?
Chili sauce works best for this recipe if you can’t find it or in a pinch and can’t get to the store you can substitute with one of these:
- Ketchup – add a touch of onion, garlic and chili powder.
- Barbecue sauce – any kind will work.
My store doesn’t carry 32 ounce bags of meatballs what can I use?
- This recipe is very flexible! You can use a slightly smaller bag or two bags that equal a little more than 32 ounces.
- Will work fine, there is plenty of sauce in this recipe.
Can I use turkey meatballs or Italian style meatballs?
- Any style of frozen meatball can be used in this recipe such as Italian, angus or even turkey.
- If you are looking for a healthier meatball try Trader Joe’s brand.
- You can even use meatless meatballs in this recipe!
What to serve with Grape Jelly Meatballs?
- Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks at a party
- With steamed rice
- Over mashed potatoes
More meatball recipes to make in the crockpot:
- Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs – just as easy as this recipe!
- Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs – GREAT with egg noodles.
- Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs – Same veggies as Chinese restaurants!
- Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs – just three ingredients!
- Slow Cooker Asian Meatballs (by Tornado Ali) – great over rice for a main meal
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Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
Classic recipe for meatballs made with frozen meatballs, grape jelly and chili sauce.
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Servings: 15
Calories: 290kcal
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 32 oz. bag frozen meatballs I use homestyle
- 20 oz. grape jelly I use Welch's
- 12 oz. Heinz chili sauce
Instructions:
- Put the frozen meatballs in the slow cooker. Add the grape jelly and chili sauce.
- Stir until the meatballs are coated in the grape and chili sauce mixture.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker.
- Cook on HIGH for 2.5-3 hours or LOW for 4-5 hours. Stirring occasionally so the meatballs won't burn on the edges.
Keeping the grape jelly meatballs warm at a party:
- Turn the slow cooker to warm. Can be kept warm at a party for 3+ hours. Stir often, and add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.
How to Video:
Recipe Notes:
What is chili sauce?
- There are different types of chili sauce, the one in this recipe is near the ketchup in your grocery store (I use Heinz chili sauce).
- Heinz chili sauce is made from tomatoes, garlic, sweet peppers, and aromatic spices
- DO NOT use sriracha hot chili sauce or sweet Thai chili sauce unless you want it to be VERY spicy.
- Strawberry jam or jelly
- Apple jelly
- Raspberry jam or preserves
- Ketchup – add a touch of onion, garlic and chili powder.
- Barbecue sauce – any kind will work.
- This recipe is very flexible! You can use a slightly smaller bag or two bags that equal a little more than 32 ounces.
- Will work fine, there is plenty of sauce in this recipe.
- Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks at a party
- With steamed rice
- Over mashed potatoes
- Any style of frozen meatball can be used in this recipe such as Italian, Angus or even turkey.
- If you are looking for a healthier meatball try Trader Joe’s brand.
- You can even use meatless meatballs in this recipe!
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 252mg | Potassium: 274mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 121IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
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Taste was yummy, but result was soupy. Tried both ways. Frozen into crock and then baked meatballs first into crock. Maybe it’s my crock but nobody wants a meatball soup.
If you are serving these as a main and want the sauce thicker, you could thicken it up with a cornstarch slurry. I’ve never noticed them being soupy for we eat one at a time with a toothpick, we don’t spoon out any sauce.
Can I use jam instead of jelly?
Yes! You can’t mess up this recipe. I’ve even used cranberry sauce.
Can I use sugar free strawberry jam.
I don’t see why not!
What about just using a couple of pounds of ground beef & just making Sloppy Joes? Or does this make too much sauce for that?
It may be too much. You could add your meat first, then slowly add the sauce.