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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How can I make the sauce thicker?
You could add a tablespoon of cold water to a tablespoon of cornstarch, mix well and add to the sauce in the slow cooker. It’s not supposed to be too thick, the longer it cooks they will get darker and soak up the sauce.
If you cook on low for 4-5 hours can you still leave it in the crockpot on low for 3 + hrs. I’m worried about food born illness.. is it better to cook on high?
Yes, the warm setting is over 140 degrees which keeps it at a safe temperature to eat.
So Easy and Delicious ! Family Loved it . My picky 14 year old son is requesting this again tonight. Thank You!
Do you think these could be a freezer dump meal?
You could with no problems.
Thanks!!
I want to double the recipe for a party. (Two 32 oz bags of meatballs) How much grape jelly and chili sauce do I need and how long to cook at Low?
Made with about 1/4 cup Thai chili sauce, the rest ketchup, and then I didn’t have grape jelly (and couldn’t find any at the store), so used whatever jam I had on hand (homemade….think it was a mixed berry jam). Still turned out amazing with a perfect amount of spice. Kids devoured it!
Great Recipe and easy and tasty. First time I tasted it … at a gathering …. couldn”t believe the combination !! Everybody loved it.
Instead of chili sauce …. bottled salsa … mild or med. Add red bell pepper for color or canned pineapple chunks. And i serve it with rice. Thank you for sharing
I do this recipe but I use a jar of salsa instead of chili sauce
WE love this recipe – it was used as part of the food for both of our daughters weddings! And that was 25+ years ago!
It is a keeper
To do this recipe with frozen meatless meatballs, what cooking time adjustments (if any) should be made? And are there any other recipe adjustments/tips you’d give when using frozen meatless meatballs?
Hi! I believe the times will be the same. I think it will be great.
Hi im guessing you make the jelly up to liquid so theres plenty of sauce, its looks and sounds delicious
How much chili sauce and grape jelly for a 48oz bag meatballs?
Hi Sherry! I think you can get away with the same amount of grape jelly and chili sauce that is in this recipe. There is plenty of extra sauce.
I’ve made these for years, both with meatballs and small smokies or cocktail wieners. But I always add 3-4 Tablespoons of mustard. It kicks it up a notch.
I am making only half of the recipe. Should I vary the time setting for cooking as well as the time as well? Thanks for your help!
Probably a half an hour less.
I use turkey meatballs, cranberry sauce, and chili sauce. You can always use veggie meatballs, too.