Grape Jelly Meatballs
111 CommentsUpdated Jan 19, 2026
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These easy grape jelly meatballs come together with just three ingredients—frozen meatballs, chili sauce, and grape jelly. They’re tender, sweet, and coated in plenty of sauce.
Featured Comment
“Awesome flavor! I made these for my office luncheon and everyone loves them and asking for the recipe!! Yummo.”
– Sally
My go-to meatball recipe has always been with barbecue sauce until I tried grape jelly meatballs! What amazing flavor these meatballs have. I can never stop at just one meatball — I always go back for more.
The long cooking time in the slow cooker ensures that the meatballs absorb the sauce, which is why I love cooking these in the crockpot.
Key Ingredients
Your guests 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 that adds sweetness to the recipe.
- Chili Sauce – Look for Heinz or the store brand
- Meatballs – These are found in the frozen section of your store.
How to make Grape Jelly Meatballs in the Crockpot
- Combine the sauce ingredients in the slow cooker and add the meatballs.
- Let everything cook until the meatballs are hot and the sauce is thick and glossy. The longer these cook, the more the flavors meld.
Tips & Variations
Here are some variations to change up these meatballs
- Jam Swap: You can swap the grape jelly for other flavors—try strawberry jam, apple jelly, or raspberry preserves for a fun twist!
- Sauce Change: Barbecue sauce OR Ketchup can be used. One reader uses salsa instead and loves it!
- Meatball Amounts: This recipe is very flexible! You can use a slightly smaller bag or two bags that equal a little more than 32 ounces.
What Chili Sauce to Use
- There are different types of chili sauce; the variety in this recipe is near the ketchup at 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.
How Many Meatballs per Person?
Plan for 3-4 meatballs per person at a party if you are serving other appetizers as well. If you are serving meatballs as a dinner, plan for 6 per person. It never hurts to prepare a few extras for leftovers.
How to Serve Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Set them out with toothpicks and plates as a crowd-pleasing party appetizer.
- Spoon them over steamed rice or mashed potatoes for a quick and tasty dinner – this is a great leftovers idea as well!
- If you can get enough of these flavors, try my Grape Jelly Little Smokies, or Meatballs and Little Smokies Recipes.
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.
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
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.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs bring that takeout-style flavor with familiar veggies, and Baby Shower Meatballs are always a hit at celebrations.
Can I use Welch’s grape spread instead of the jelly?
Yes, that works fine!
Can left over grape jelly chilli sauce be saved to use another date?
Yes, in the fridge, I would say it would be good after a few weeks.
Can ir be reheated?
Yes! They reheat great.
Can I use sugar free jelly/jam?
Yes, that will work fine.
To double the recipe is the cook time the same?
Yeah, the same amount of time will work great.
This was my question as well. I’m making mine tomorrow and want leftovers
Love this recipe. If I make them a day ahead can I reheat in the crockpot for a pot luck the next day
No, it rages just as long to reheat than cookZ if you want to speed up the time. Thaw the meatballs.
I’ve been searching for this Recipe! I’ve always enjoyed them at Parties! The 4th of July is coming up and I’ve got my crock pot ready! I always throw a big Table of everything out! There’s something for everyone! But these little meat balls are my Favorite! I usually can’t stop eating them! Oh Well The 4th only comes once a year! But I do like the Idea of Cranberry sauce at Xmas! Thank you! I can’t wait to have my fill! : – )
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.
For sloppy joe you want to render the fat out in a saucepan first or it comes out all greasy and nasty. Im going to try fresh meatballs boiled for c 5 minutes and ill see how they come oome out. Baking them might have been a better idea though. Theres a really good recipe using ketchup, mustard, & brown sugar. I use a ,iner as it carmelises if i forget it and dont stir it no and then