Grape jelly meatballs are incredibly easy to make in the crock pot! You only need 3 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep this delicious meal or appetizer.
These meatballs are one of my favorite appetizers because they’re just so easy to make. A couple of my other favorite “never fail” appetizers are these Ham and Cream Cheese Roll Ups, Buffalo Chicken Dip and Garlic Chicken Wings recipes.
Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs
My family LOVES meatballs so we make a variety of recipes using them quite often. I’ve shared our Sweet and Sour Meatballs recipe, which has an awesome flavor too. However, this grape jelly meatball recipe I am going to share with you today is not only very delicious, but it is even easier to make.
The great part about this recipe is that it’s so versatile. They’re perfect to serve as an appetizer when hosing a party but we also will make a batch of them for dinner. Just serve them with a side of Roasted Vegetables or Mashed Potatoes and you have a full meal.
ANNNND these grape jelly meatballs are made using only 3 ingredients that you literally place in the slow cooker and forget about until you are ready to eat. I love easy foods that tempt my taste buds!
3 Simple Ingredients
To make grape jelly meatballs you only need 3 basic ingredients, which I’m sure you could guess.
Meatballs – I typically will just grab a bag of frozen Italian style meatballs from the store but Homemade Meatballs also work great!
BBQ Sauce – I love Sweet Baby Ray’s original flavor for this recipe. Whatever your preference, just grab a bottle of it or whip up your favorite Homemade BBQ Sauce.
Grape Jelly – I’ve used several brands of jelly and they all seem to taste very similar.
How To Make Grape Jelly Meatballs
This meatball recipe that uses grape jelly is so easy and is made is just a couple easy steps. Plus, I have created a short video showing the delicious and easy process that’ll be running off to the side.
Ingredients – First, pour the frozen meatballs into the crock pot. I like to mix the barbecue sauce and grape jelly first and them pour it over the meatballs.
Heat – Cook the meatballs on the low setting for about 6 hours. If you’re short on time, you can use the high setting and let them cook for at least 2 hours.
Stir – You’ll want to stir the meatballs periodically while they’re cooking. If you don’t, the ones on the bottom of the crock pot will typically burn and nobody wants that.
Recipe Tips & Variations
Can You Use Raw Meatballs – Yes, you can cook raw meatballs in the slow cooker using this grape jelly meatball recipe. I like to keep it simple and use frozen meatballs but if you can definitely make your own meatballs. If you do, you have to try our easy Homemade Meatballs recipe. If you decide to make your own, use a kitchen thermometer to be sure the internal temperature of the meatball reaches 165 degrees F.
A Little Spice – If you prefer a little kick to your meatballs, you can substitute the grape jelly with chili sauce.
Grape Jelly Substitutes – If you’re not a fan of grape jelly you can try apricot jelly, apple jelly, raspberry jelly and even cranberry sauce.
More Appetizer Recipes
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- 7 Layer Dip Cups
- Chicken Enchilada Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
These meatballs are easily one of our family’s favorite things to eat. Leave us a comment below and let us know how you liked them or tag us on social media the next time you serve these at a party you’re hosting so we can see all of the fun you’re having!
Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lb frozen meatballs
- 12 oz grape jelly
- 12 oz BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Place the frozen meatballs into your crock pot.
- In a small bowl, mix together the grape jelly and BBQ sauce until well blended. Pour over meatballs.
- Cook on low all day or on high for 2-4 hours.
- Serve as a party appetizer or partner with mashed potatoes and dinner rolls for a delicious dinner!
Video
Nutrition
Other Notes
This recipe originally published on Somewhat Simple in February 2014. It was updated in July 2020 and still reigns as one of our family’s favorite dinners!
Absolutely amazing!
Let me know when they’re cooking and I’ll be on my way!:)
The easiest appetizer and always a hit!
Thanks!
We make this recipe so much. It’s avsilutely delicious. One to keep on the rotation for sure.
Yummy!!! What a crowd pleaser! So many delicious flavors going on!
These look delicious! Thank you so much!
This is one of my favorite tailgate recipes!
Mine too!
I’ve made these before and my family ALWAYS loves them!
Aren’t they so good?!?!
Try it with red currant jelly instead of grape jelly. It is wonderful!
I made mine with cranberry sauce last night, and served it with rice. Its yummy.
I am making it this way for Sunday dinner this weekend! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Thanks for stopping by Tina!
I love these! And you can make them just to your taste. I’ve made them with italian style meatballs, regular beef, and swedish as well (that’s my favourite) with little smokies, and the lil’ polskas. I love to do the grape jelly with chili sauce for sweet and spicy.
I need to try adding some chili sauce- that sounds delicious!!! Thanks for the idea!
It will take me a bit longer for preparation as I am dairy and gluten intolerant, so would have to make my own meatballs, but am keen to try it out, looks yummy.
It’s super yummy đŸ™‚ Thanks for stopping by, Lynette!
I have made this recipe for years. Very popular. Also with little smokies.
YUM! I need to try it with smokies!
Can you please tell me if your grape jelly is what we would class as jam in Australia? is it a dessert or a sandwich spread? Thanks
It is grape jam, a sandwich spread. Hope that helps! đŸ™‚
Hey sorry if this is silly but I am australian, just wondering if grape jelly means actually jelly you make from crystals or if you’re talking about grape jam that you’d spread on toast? These look wonderful and I would love to try them!
Hi Jayla, it is grape jam. I hope you love them! đŸ™‚
this is one of my favorite meals. my mom makes it, and she makes the meatballs from scratch and uses cranberry sauce. i’ll likely do this easy route! we then pour them over rice, and meatballs and rice is the best thing ever.
I am definitely going to try the cranberry sauce idea!
Silly question- I have never done meatballs in my slow cooker…if you make them from scratch, do I cook them first and then just flavor them for a bit in the slow cooker with the sauce or do I put them in raw?
Ive never tried cooking raw meatballs in the slow cooker, so I am not entirely sure they would cook right unless you cooked them first. I could be completely wrong though! đŸ™‚
These look really good. I was planning on making meatballs from scratch this week. Maybe I’ll make them and stick them in the crockpot with the jelly and BBQ sauce! Visiting from the Link Party Palooza!
Yum! I definitely prefer homemade meatballs- can you send some my way? đŸ™‚ Thanks for visiting Michelle!
This sounds wonderful! I’ve been looking for a meatball recipe like this, so I’m definitely going to keep this in mind! đŸ™‚
Thanks Dee! I appreciate you stopping by!
I literally just made these. So yummy and somewhat low carb. I used Texas BBQ sauce that had a little heat. Great for midday munching. I plan on trying turkey meatballs for a birthday party next week. Thanks for sharing!!
You’re welcome- I am glad you like them! đŸ™‚
I had forgotten about these meatballs! I’m getting some on my next trip to Costco. They really are tasty!
Thanks for stopping by Marianne!
These look fantastic and oh, so easy! My family would absolutely love these at our get togethers.
Yep, your family will love them! Thanks for stopping by Chelsea!