Grape jelly meatballs sound odd the first time you hear about them, but they are a long-running potluck favorite. Frozen meatballs simmer in a sweet and tangy sauce made from grape jelly and chili sauce or barbecue sauce, and the slow cooker keeps them warm for the whole party.
Ingredients
For about 12 to 16 appetizer servings:
- 1 bag (about 32 ounces) fully cooked frozen meatballs
- 1 jar (about 12 to 18 ounces) grape jelly
- 1 bottle (about 12 ounces) chili sauce, such as the tomato-based kind sold near the ketchup, or 1 to 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce
- Optional: a pinch of red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce or a splash of Worcestershire sauce
How to make grape jelly meatballs in the Crockpot
- Mix the sauce. In the slow cooker, stir the jelly and chili sauce (or barbecue sauce) together. It helps to whisk until mostly smooth, although a few jelly lumps will melt as it heats.
- Add the meatballs. Pour in the frozen meatballs and stir until coated.
- Cook. Cover and cook on Low for about 3 to 5 hours, or on High for about 2 to 3 hours, until the meatballs are hot throughout (165°F, or 74°C, for fully cooked packaged meatballs) and the sauce is bubbling.
- Stir and serve. Give them a final stir, then switch to warm and serve with toothpicks.
How much grape jelly do you put in with meatballs?
A common ratio is roughly one jar of jelly (12 to 20 ounces) for a 2-pound bag of meatballs, balanced with a similar volume of chili sauce or barbecue sauce. More jelly makes the sauce sweeter and thicker. More chili sauce or barbecue sauce makes it tangier and a bit thinner. Taste as you go and adjust: a spoonful of vinegar or hot sauce balances an overly sweet batch.
What does adding grape jelly to meatballs do?
Grape jelly adds sweetness, a glossy texture and a mild fruity note that mellows the acidity of tomato-based sauces. As the sauce heats, the jelly melts and reduces slightly, helping it cling to the meatballs. Most people say the finished sauce tastes more sweet-and-sour or barbecue-like than like grapes.
How long do grape jelly meatballs take to cook in the Crockpot?
Using frozen, fully cooked meatballs, expect roughly 2 to 3 hours on High or 3 to 5 hours on Low. Timing depends on the size of your slow cooker, the number of meatballs and how cold the sauce is at the start. If you use raw meatballs, they need longer and should be checked with a thermometer. For a scratch option, see slow cooker meatballs from scratch.
What is the best way to cook meatballs in a slow cooker?
For party meatballs, frozen precooked ones are the easiest. Add them to a well-mixed sauce, avoid overfilling the cooker, and stir gently. More detail on timing and tips is in our guide to cooking frozen meatballs in the slow cooker.
Variations
- Chili sauce version. Classic and tangy, with a slightly spiced flavor.
- BBQ grape jelly meatballs. Swap the chili sauce for barbecue sauce. Smoky varieties work well.
- Spicy. Add red pepper flakes, hot sauce or a little chipotle.
- Pineapple. Stir in a small can of drained pineapple tidbits for a sweet-and-sour feel.
- Cranberry sauce. Jellied or whole berry cranberry sauce can replace the jelly.
- Little smokies. Cocktail sausages can be cooked in the same sauce.
Serving and keeping warm
Set the slow cooker to warm for the party and stir occasionally to keep the sauce from sticking. Keep a spoon or tongs and a stack of toothpicks nearby. Perishable food should not sit out for more than about two hours at room temperature. If the party goes longer, hold meatballs at a safe warm temperature (the warm setting on many slow cookers is around 165°F, though some are lower) or refresh the batch.
Make ahead and storage
- Mix the sauce a day ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator.
- Leftovers keep for three to four days in the refrigerator.
- Cooked meatballs in sauce can be frozen in a freezer container for a couple of months.
- For leftovers, reheat on the stove or in the microwave until steaming hot.
Serving ideas beyond the appetizer table
Spoon the meatballs over rice with steamed broccoli for an easy dinner, or tuck them into toasted rolls for sliders. For more ground beef ideas, see our guide to slow cooker ground beef recipes.