Grape Jelly Meatballs
104 Comments Jan 23, 2020
Updated May 29, 2025
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These easy grape jelly meatballs come together with just three ingredients—frozen meatballs, chili sauce, and grape jelly—for the ultimate sweet and tangy appetizer. All done in the crockpot
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!
Key Ingredients:
Just three ingredients! Your guest will be asking for the recipe. Find the full recipe in the recipe card below the images.
- 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.
How to make Grape Jelly Meatballs (ONE SIMPLE STEP)
Step One: Just toss the ingredients into the slow cooker and cook! Then serve and enjoy!
How to Find the Right Chili Sauce:
There is a certain sauce to use, I want you to make these meatballs right:
- 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.
Variations
Here are some variations to change up these meatballs
- You can swap the grape jelly for other flavors—try strawberry jam, apple jelly, or raspberry preserves for a fun twist!
- Barbecue sauce OR Ketchup can be used. One reader uses salsa instead and loves it!
- This recipe is VERY flexible, you can use a little more or less frozen meatballs.
What to serve with Grape Jelly Meatballs:
- Set them out with toothpicks as a crowd-pleasing party appetizer
- Spoon them over steamed rice for a quick and tasty dinner
- Serve them atop creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting meal
Here are a few delicious ways to serve grape jelly meatballs:
Featured Comment
“Awesome flavor! I made these for my office luncheon and everyone loves them and asking for the recipe!! Yummo.”
– Sally
Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe
How to Video
Ingredients
- 32 oz. bag frozen meatballs, I use homestyle
- 20 oz. grape jelly, I use Welch's
- 12 oz. Heinz chili sauce
Instructions
Crockpot 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.
Stove-Top Instructions:
- Add everything to a large pot. Turn to medium low heat, heat for about 15 minutes or until the meatballs are warmed and the sauce starts to thicken.
Sarah’s Notes
- 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
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Frozen Meatball Recipes:
Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs are just as easy as the classic grape jelly version and perfect for parties.
Try Salisbury Steak Meatballs or Swedish Meatballs—especially great with egg noodles—for a comforting dinner twist.
For fun party food, make Meatballs and Little Smokies for the best of both worlds, or serve Crockpot Meatball Subs for a hearty handheld meal.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs bring that takeout-style flavor with familiar veggies, and Baby Shower Meatballs are always a hit at celebrations.
also try cranberry sauce with Angus meatballs…..big hit