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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Awesome flavor! I made these for my office luncheon and everyone loves them and asking for the recipe!! Yummo.
Can we add some A1 to the meatballs with the grape jelly and sweet chili sauce to give it pop. If so how much of it to add to crockpot. I make it the original way but would like to add A1.
Thank you kindly,
Tanya
I would do 1 tablespoon.
I have a weird question/issue. This is the same recipe someone else gave me after trying their meatballs & loving them. I’ve made them several times but it’s just not the same. Theirs the sauce like, sunk into the meatball if that makes sense. When I make them it’s not like that it’s just the brown meatball when cutting into it & not as flavorful. Any idea what they may have done different?
Hi! My guess is there meatballs sat longer in the sauce. Possibly cook them on low for much longer and they should soak up the sauce more like you want.
Every time I make them the sauce is very runny. Is there anyway to thicken it without losing the taste?
You could try a cornstarch slurry. Probably 2 tablespoons cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water. Add it after its done cooking and add the lid back on. It will take a about 15 mins for it to thicken.
These are amazingly delicious and a cheap, easy way to impress guests at parties or on holidays. A friend introduced me to this recipe years ago and I had completely forgotten about it until now. It’s always a hit with kids and adults alike!
I make these often and for every game night , there a big hit
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!