I recently whipped up some Grape Jelly Meatballs, and I was impressed by how easily the frozen meatballs, grape jelly, and chili sauce combined. The flavor balance between sweet and savory truly surprises anyone willing to try these delightful morsels at a casual gathering or festive event.

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I stumbled upon this recipe for Crockpot BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs and knew I had to share it. Its a real game changer for party food appetizers that combine the sweet taste of jelly meatballs with just a hint of tang.

I start with 1 bag of frozen meatballs, about 3 lbs, and then mix in a jar of grape jelly and a bottle of chili sauce. The magic happens in the Crock Pot, letting all these flavors mingle until they turn into a hearty, punchy dish.

Its one of those crockpot recipes that has you scratching your head about how something so simple can taste so elaborate. When you’re prepping these crockpot appetizers, you’re not just making meatball recipes; you’re creating a conversation starter perfect for any get together.

Enjoy the burst of flavour that these Crock Pot meatballs bring to your next party!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this recipe because it’s super simple to make. I can just toss in the meatballs and mix up the grape jelly with chili sauce, and then let it all cook in the crockpot while I chill out. I also love that sweet and savory combo; it’s like my taste buds get a little party in every bite. Another thing is that it only uses three ingredients so there’s no complicated prep or a mountain of cleaning afterwards. And honestly, every time I serve it at a get-together, it ends up being the hit of the party and makes everyone smile—and that always makes me feel awesome.

Ingredients

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This Crockpot BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs recipe is a fun twist on classic meatballs.

It creates a sticky, savory sauce with a little kick that makes every bite exciting.

The ingredients work together to balance hearty protein with sweet and tangy tastes perfect for a family dinner or party treat.

Frozen meatballs are packed with protein and flavors they cook quick and tasty.
Grape jelly adds a burst of sweetness and carbohydrates its sticky and fruity.
Chili sauce offers tangy spice and some heat it makes the dish vibrant.

Ingredient Quantities

1 bag (around 3 lbs) frozen meatballs

1 jar (12 oz) grape jelly

1 bottle (16 oz) chili sauce

How to Make this

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1. Dump the frozen meatballs into your crockpot making sure they spread out good.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together the grape jelly and chili sauce until they blend really well.

3. Pour the jelly and sauce mixture over the meatballs evenly so every bit gets some flavor.

4. Stir things a bit to help the sauce start coating the meatballs.

5. Cover the crockpot and set it on low for about 4 to 6 hours, or on high for about 2 to 3 hours.

6. Give it a stir every now and then to prevent any hotspots in the sauce.

7. Once done, check that the meatballs are heated all the way through.

8. Taste and if you need more tang or sweetness, drizzle a bit more chili sauce or grape jelly.

9. Scoop out into a serving bowl right from the crockpot.

10. Serve warm and watch them disappear fast at your party!

Equipment Needed

1. Crockpot – you need this slow cooker to heat up the meatballs evenly
2. Mixing bowl – for blending the grape jelly and chili sauce together
3. Stirring utensil – a spoon or spatula to mix the sauce and stir the meatballs
4. Serving bowl – to scoop the meatballs out once they’re ready

FAQ

What meatballs should I use? Use the frozen bag meatballs that come in 3 lbs. They work fine. You can try other kinds but be sure the cook time's adjusted.

Can I make this on the stovetop? Yeah, you can but it's easier to toss everything in the crockpot and let it do all the work for hours.

Is there a substitute for grape jelly? Yup, you can swap it out for another fruit jelly like apricot or cherry if you want a different twist on the flavor.

How long should it cook? It typically takes about 3 to 4 hours on a high setting, but you can also run it on low if you have time.

Do I need to thaw the meatballs? Nah, you can use them frozen right off the bag. Just add a little extra cook time if needed.

Crockpot BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Frozen meatballs: You can try using turkey or chicken meatballs if you want a lighter version or even make your own from ground beef with some added spices
Grape jelly: Instead of grape jelly, you could use raspberry preserves or even apricot jam for a slightly different sweet and tangy flavor
Chili sauce: If you don’t have chili sauce, a mix of barbecue sauce with a bit of hot sauce or even a spicy ketchup can work as a good substitute

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you stir the meatballs about every hour so the sauce doesn’t thicken up too much in one spot and burn a little bit.
2. If you’re looking for extra flavor, taste a bit of the sauce towards the end and add a splash more chili sauce or jelly if you think it needs a kick.
3. Try not to lift the lid too often during cooking; when you do, be quick to keep the heat steady.
4. For a fun twist, toss in a bit of chopped onion or garlic into the mix if you’re feelin adventurous, it’ll give the dish a little extra punch.

Crockpot BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe

Recipe by Bob Jones

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

500

kcal

Equipment: 1. Crockpot – you need this slow cooker to heat up the meatballs evenly
2. Mixing bowl – for blending the grape jelly and chili sauce together
3. Stirring utensil – a spoon or spatula to mix the sauce and stir the meatballs
4. Serving bowl – to scoop the meatballs out once they’re ready

Ingredients

1 bag (around 3 lbs) frozen meatballs
1 jar (12 oz) grape jelly
1 bottle (16 oz) chili sauce

Directions

Dump the frozen meatballs into your crockpot making sure they spread out good.
In a separate bowl, mix together the grape jelly and chili sauce until they blend really well.
Pour the jelly and sauce mixture over the meatballs evenly so every bit gets some flavor.
Stir things a bit to help the sauce start coating the meatballs.
Cover the crockpot and set it on low for about 4 to 6 hours, or on high for about 2 to 3 hours.
Give it a stir every now and then to prevent any hotspots in the sauce.
Once done, check that the meatballs are heated all the way through.
Taste and if you need more tang or sweetness, drizzle a bit more chili sauce or grape jelly.
Scoop out into a serving bowl right from the crockpot.
Serve warm and watch them disappear fast at your party!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.