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.
Can you double the batch of this recipe?
Yes, that will work fine.
Can you make them the day before and put on low prior to serving?
No, I would thaw the meatballs then it will cook faster the day you want them.
Do the frozen meatballs have to be cooked ?.
Most frozen meatballs are already cooked and the slow cooker will thaw and heat them up.
I’ve used a similar recipe for years, but we use Little Smokies instead of meatballs. Boil them for a few minutes to pull out some of the fat. Also a slightly different ratio: 2 bottles of chili sauce, 12-16 oz of grape jelly. It’s our Thanksgiving/Christmas standard.
In Puerto Rico we use guava jelly for these meatballs and for little sausages or sliced hot dogs. Sometimes to perk them up we add a tablespoon of mustard!
They are sss good! Que
Great ideas Maria, thank you!
How much lil smokies, please
I had a friend that used little smokies too. Thanks for the ratio & boiling tip!! What amount of smokies plz?
About 2 small bags or 1 large
I’ve been making this for years. It’s 1 of my most popular appetizers.
These are quick and very tasty
My great grandmother has passed down her grape jelly meatballs recipe for generations and my mom and I make them every year for Thanksgiving they’re the best! I didn’t even know there was a recipe online for them cause when I’d mention the recipe people would think I was crazy for putting grape jelly with meatballs until they tried it
Easy and delicious!
I make these everychristmasEve. Favourite dish everyone wants
Always waiting for your next recipe!