What is it about meatballs that we love?
Go to any potluck or party and if there is a Crock Pot of meatballs sitting out, you will usually find a group of
folks standing around eating them as they talk. They draw us into their meaty goodness.
I won't name any names, but I've known a couple of vegetarians who have snuck in a meatball when no one was looking...
Go to any potluck or party and if there is a Crock Pot of meatballs sitting out, you will usually find a group of
folks standing around eating them as they talk. They draw us into their meaty goodness.
I won't name any names, but I've known a couple of vegetarians who have snuck in a meatball when no one was looking...
This recipe is a blast from the past. This particular appetizer was popularized back in the 50's. Back when a formal room was highly coveted, soldiers were home from the war and starting families, housewives were competing to be the best hostess on the block
while their men were learning how to grill the best cuts of meat money could buy.
Okay, I may be overly fantasizing a bit but the 1950's were a turning point in food and entertaining in this country.
while their men were learning how to grill the best cuts of meat money could buy.
Okay, I may be overly fantasizing a bit but the 1950's were a turning point in food and entertaining in this country.
Not all party foods made the cut, Green Jell-o molds anyone?
This recipe has stood the test of time. The original recipe calls for using Heinz Chili sauce, which is tasty in it's own right.
However, a few years ago, I went to a party and the host made it with BBQ sauce and I was hooked!
The BBQ sauce give these meatballs just a little more oomph.
And speaking of BBQ sauce, I did a small informal poll on facebook a couple of weeks ago.
I asked everyone what their favorite bottled BBQ sauce was.
However, a few years ago, I went to a party and the host made it with BBQ sauce and I was hooked!
The BBQ sauce give these meatballs just a little more oomph.
And speaking of BBQ sauce, I did a small informal poll on facebook a couple of weeks ago.
I asked everyone what their favorite bottled BBQ sauce was.
The overwhelming winner? Sweet Baby Rays!
And don't be thrown off by the grape jelly if you've never tried these before. I promise, you don't taste the grape at all.
It just adds a nice, lightly sweet background flavor and gives a nice consistency to the sauce.
Also, I've tried making this before using meatballs I made from scratch.
Do yourself a favor, just go with the prepackaged ones.
They really hold up better and don't fall apart as easy as the homemade ones do.
It just adds a nice, lightly sweet background flavor and gives a nice consistency to the sauce.
Also, I've tried making this before using meatballs I made from scratch.
Do yourself a favor, just go with the prepackaged ones.
They really hold up better and don't fall apart as easy as the homemade ones do.
Ingredients:
1 (32 oz.) bag frozen meatballs
1 (18 oz.) jar grape jelly
1 (18 oz.) bottle of your favorite BBQ Sauce
Directions:
Pour the meatballs, grape jelly and BBQ sauce into your slow cooker and stir well until combined.
Cook the mixture on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 2 – 2 ½ hours until completely cooked through (stirring occasionally).
Cook the mixture on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 2 – 2 ½ hours until completely cooked through (stirring occasionally).
When they are ready, just set your crock pot to the "keep warm" setting and let guests serve themselves.
Just place small bowls and toothpicks next to the meatballs.
Everyone is going to love these!
Just place small bowls and toothpicks next to the meatballs.
Everyone is going to love these!
 |
| I go with the store brand whenever I can. These work great! |
Enjoy!
41 comments:
I am with you on the already prepared meatballs! I've had this recipe with the chili sauce before but never with bbq. Sounds yummy! I love anything with BBQ sauce.
I make mine with BBQ sauce and grape jelly. And, yes, it is always Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce in this house. Love it! I'll be making these on Saunday for our family's SuperBowl munchies. My kids are excited about our "snack food dinner" that night :)
Jenn
These look yummy! I have a half box of meatballs in the freezer waiting to be used, i think i might give this a try!
Brandie, Since I've started reading your blog, my slow cooker has gone into overdrive! I always leave here with some great ideas and a smile... Thanks for keeping it simple and real.
thanks for sharing this recipe. I always wanted to find out how to make these!
Oh, yum...I think this is the classic Super Bowl dish...my boys would be thrilled with a plate of these...and I know how wonderful the house would be with these warming in the crock pot! Thanks, Brandie :)
Wow, your meatballs look so yummy! I like the fact that there is a shortcut involved. Sometimes it gets so busy and this little shortcuts are life savers!!!! Grape Jelly, love it! Thank for sharing Brandie :)
Sweet Baby Ray's here too! But no grape jelly. Maybe I need to try it that way....
Lately I've had to back off on making these so much because certain men in the house overindulge and we have BIG heartburn issues from the seasoned meatballs.
I love this recipe though because it's so "fire and forget!" And you only need 4 hours, not 8-10 hours like many other Crock Pot specialties!
Thanks for sharing!
You are right ! Go to a potluck or party, and someone always brings these wonderful meatballs. Sometimes it's BBQ sauce or chili sauce, but always the grape jelly.
We still have a big jar of grape jelly in the fridge. My husband made these meatballs to take to work during Christmas week.
Happy Super Bowl!
Oh I love these little guys... so tasty!
Looks fantastic Brandy, and I love your photo!!It is mouthwatering!!!
Idk, this is really weird. Grape jelly in the sauce? I guess I will just have to trust you. This is the kind of thing that I would make and not dare tell my husband what was in it until after he scarfed it all down and raved about it. I am always up for trying something different!
Meatballs are one of my favorite comfort foods. So delicious. Such a creative take on it.
These sound great Bran! And Yay for Great Value! I get most of my stuff at Walmart!!
Yay for lifesaving shortcuts when it comes down to a party :)
Thank you for warm welcome on Chef's Dennis blog :)
Annie - you gotta trust me girl! I wouldn't steer you wrong! :)
These look so simple and delicious! I love coming across easy-to-make recipes like this one. And thanks for the heads up on the grape jelly--it is indeed an unusual ingredient. But I totally belive it works!
Now that is my kind of party food!
Store bought meatballs have come a long way. Using a slow cooker makes them really yummy. You are right, it's tried and true.
Plan B
Looks delicious! I have seen grape jelly+bbq sauce meatballs before but have never tried them. I'll take your word that the jelly taste doesn't shine through! :-)
Visiting from It's a Keeper
Mmm they look good! I thought about making meatballs for tomorrow, but I just haven't decided yet. And you're right about the grape jelly - it's good! I was very surprised when my mother-in-law told me that was the "secret" to her really good party meatballs!
These look great and I'll be giving them a try...thanks for sharing!
I also made this for the super bowl party and I made 60 of them none were left,Great Recipe.
Ah, these are like the little smokies we make only we use ketchup and grape jelly. Never thought about doing meatballs. Would sure make them last longer!
Yes, I admit that I'm a meatball hound too. I also admit that I've never made them myself. I need to though. We'd just sit and eat them (which is not a bad thing). :)
These look so comforting. Meatballs are my favorite.
I was just thinking that I needed to get rid of the frozen meatballs in my fridge, and this sounds so easy. Thanks for the inspiration. You should link up with *Fun for Kids Friday* http://www.localfunforkids.com/
No Party is complete without Meatballs and your recipe looks very good. I am so happy that you brought them to share with us at Full Plate Thursday and we look forward to seeing you next week!
OK, I had to take a look at this recipe too before signing off tonite. I know what you mean about this being a fav at pot lucks. I too am a Sweet Baby Rae's fan and never heard of trying these with BBQ sauce. Adding this to my list for sure! And how do you get your pics to look so absolutely YUMMY?
Love these:) You should come link them up to Crock Pot Wednesday. Hope to see you there.
i will try this ,during holidays i use jellied cranberry sauce an one bottle of chili sauce.
Grape jelly? That is brilliant, Brandie! I'd love if you'd consider sharing this recipe in the online Get Grillin' & summer bbq event I'm sponsoring (it's appetizer week right now).
I love a good meatball. I make cocktail weenies w/ ketchup and cranberry sauce, so this makes perfect sense to me! Thanks for sharing @ Church Supper!
I had these during the holidays and was amazed at how yummy they are. I'm glad I came cross the recipe so I can enjoy them more often. Great call in rue jelly. Really gives it a twist.
Thank you for taking the time to come back & let me know how it turned out for you! So glad you liked them!!
Just made these with turkey meatballs and sugar free grape jelly to make it slightly more healthy - still delicious! Give it a try!
I used to make it this way all the time! Now I switch back and forth from this to
Chili Sauce and a can of cranberries!
Both are a delicious snack for football days!
Anyone ever tried apple jelly or red pepper jelly? Just trying to use up what I've got on hand, to avoid going to the store today
When I make these, I also go with the pre-made store brand. I add the grape jelly and BBQ sauce but I also add brown sugar and honey to taste.
Made this for dinner today... a huge hit with the kids the absolutely love it!!
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