Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
Go ahead and take the credit for everyone’s favorite appetizer at the party! Try this sweet and savory recipe for holidays, parties, and potlucks. Best of all, you only need three ingredients for Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs and they can be prepped in minutes.
Want me to send this recipe right to your inbox?
We'll email this post right to your inbox, so you can easily find it later!
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- Some of you might have fond holiday memories with some version of this meatball recipe and others are about to be “wowed” by its simplicity and tastiness! The combination of the two sauces creates the most delicious sticky meatball sauce – perfect for serving with toothpicks or appetizer plates.
- When you’re already busy preparing a holiday or party meal, it’s difficult to devote extra time to appetizers. The slow cooker is the perfect solution for a true dump-and-go recipe. Just add the meatballs and sauce ingredients and let it heat until you are ready to serve.
- Grape jelly meatballs aren’t unique to just the winter holidays – they can work for any event, from brunches to barbecues.
- With such a simple recipe, It’s easy to customize the sauce and try new flavor profiles. Use this as a base to create your own meatball and sauce combo!
Ingredients Needed
OK, are you finally ready for the ingredient list? Just 3 items and you’re set!
- Frozen meatballs – Pick up a 32-ounce package of frozen homestyle meatballs from the store. The homestyle flavor includes a mix of herbs, garlic, and onion and will work with many different sauces.
- BBQ sauce – I like to use a regular or original BBQ sauce with my meatballs to balance the sweetness of the grape jelly. Choose your favorite BBQ sauce and try it out! You might prefer spicier, sweeter, or smokier.
- Grape jelly – Choose either regular grape jelly or a no-sugar-added version. The grape jelly adds a balanced sweetness to the contrast of the BBQ sauce.
How To Make Grape Jelly Meatballs In The Slow Cooker
- Add the frozen meatballs to the slow cooker. (I recommend using a 2-quart size slow cooker.)
- Top meatballs with BBQ sauce and jelly, and stir to coat the meatballs.
- Cook on high until heated through (about 2 hours) or on low for about 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Pro Tips
- Be sure to use homestyle meatballs instead of Italian-style meatballs. Homestyle meatballs have a more neutral flavor and are delicious with many different sauces!
- Keep an eye on the slow cooker and stir occasionally so that the meatballs and sauce don’t burn, especially around the bottom and edges. If you turn the “keep warm” setting on, you may also want to stir a few times to prevent burning.
- Added sugar can burn a bit faster in the slow cooker, so if you choose regular jelly, keep an eye on it or stir as needed.
- If your sauce is too thin, you can always thicken it with a cornstarch slurry (equal parts water and cornstarch).
- This recipe is easy to double, triple, or quadruple! Just increase the size of your slow cooker to 4, 6, or 8 quarts.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Many people have their own versions of this favorite recipe, and it’s hard to find one that isn’t delicious! Feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations.
- Try varying the sauce flavors with different fruit jellies such as blueberry, or apricot. Watch out for jellies that contain seeds because that might ruin the overall sauce texture and experience for some. Here are a few suggestions:
- chili sauce and apricot preserves
- ketchup and grape jelly
- BBQ sauce and blueberry or strawberry jam
- You can also try different meats! Grab some chicken or turkey meatballs or even some of the Amylu chicken meatballs which are available in a range of flavors.
- Homemade meatballs work well too. Make sure that your meatballs are made with lean meat so that your sauce doesn’t end up greasy.
How To Serve Grape Jelly Meatballs
Grape jelly meatballs make a fun, filling appetizer, but can work for practically any meal! For a mid-morning brunch, pair the meatballs with breakfast pastries, fresh fruit, and Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole.
Include the meatballs in an appetizer spread with Spicy Queso and chips or Jalapeño Popper Dip and raw veggies.
And, if you want to serve slow cooker meatballs as a main meal, Hawaiian Macaroni Salad or White Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese would be delicious additions!
Storing and Reheating
Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave with a loose paper towel as a cover to avoid any sauce splatters.
I don’t recommend freezing leftover meatballs from the slow cooker unless you use fresh, homemade meatballs for this recipe.
Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
Go ahead and take the credit for everyone’s favorite appetizer at the party! Try this sweet and savory recipe for holidays, parties, and potlucks. Best of all, you only need three ingredients for Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs and they can be prepped in minutes.
Save
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen homestyle meatballs
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- ½ cup grape jelly
Instructions
- Add frozen meatballs to slow cooker
- Top meatballs with BBQ sauce and jelly, and stir to coat meatballs
- Cook on high until heated through (about 2 hours) or on low for about 4 hours, stirring occasionally
Notes
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave, covered with a loose paper towel.
- Make sure to use homestyle (not Italian-style meatballs).
- Since food on the bottom or sides will cook a little faster, stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- If your sauce is too thin, you can always thicken it with a cornstarch slurry.
Nutrition
Calories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 15gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 204mgPotassium: 307mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 38IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @slowcookergourmet or tag #slowcookergourmet!
Important nutritional disclaimerGrape Jelly Meatballs FAQs
- How long can grape jelly meatballs be left on the “warm“ setting in the slow cooker? In general, it is best not to leave meatballs (or any food) on the “warm” setting in the slow cooker for longer than 2 hours.
- What do you do if your grape jelly meatballs are runny? If the meatballs are runny, thicken the sauce by whisking a cornstarch slurry (equal parts cornstarch and water), and then stirring it into the sauce. It might help to remove a few meatballs first while you stir the slurry into the sauce, then add them back to the slow cooker.
- Why use grape jelly with meatballs? Grape jelly brings sweetness to the sauce without tasting overly sugary. Heating it in the slow cooker with the BBQ sauce creates a smooth caramelized result.
- Are grape jelly meatballs an appetizer or a main dish? Due to their sweetness, grape jelly meatballs are typically served as an appetizer, but I say there are no rules here! Enjoy them however you like to eat them.
- Can homemade meatballs be used in place of frozen meatballs? You can use homemade meatballs, but be sure to use lean meat to prevent added grease in the slow cooker.
How do you thicken the sauce 🤔
I don’t find it usually needs to be thickened, but if you do you could add a little cornstarch. Mix 2 tablespoons with 2 tablespoons water and then stir it in and let it heat through.
Can you use turkey frozen balls. instead of the beef? thanks
Sure! It may change the flavor a bit but should work!
Could veggie meatballs be used instead?
I think that should work!
I Have made these meatballs for over twenty-five years, every holiday. I use chill sauce and grape jelly
So good aren’t they!!
Hi for us overseas followers (non usa) can you advise if grape jelly is grape jam? Also cant seem to find this type of jam, what flavours do you recommend as a substitute?
Love the site.
Hi Ian! You could use grape jam as long as it’s seedless or any seedless jam like raspberry or blueberry. You could also use currant jelly or apple jelly. Let me know if that helps!
I have Italian frozen meatballs, will that change the taste to not so good?
I don’t love the flavor of Italian meatballs with the grape jelly sauce. But of course, everyone’s tastes are different so feel free to give it a try!
Always devoured !
That’s what I love to hear!
Would love to try the recipe but confused on measurement of bbq sauce and jelly. It looks like half cup (.5) each but doesn’t seem to be enough. Please advise. Thank you
1/2 cup each is correct. Feel free to add more to your liking!
I’ve made these for dinner. On rolls or even over rice. The family loves them and their so easy when you have no idea what to make
These look like the perfect party bite, Thanks for sharing!
So simple yet so delicious! These have always been one of my favorite appetizers. My only problem with them is that I have a tendency to eat way too many of them!