Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
These Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs are always a hit because they are so delicious so easy to make with only 3 ingredients!
DELICIOUSLY GLAZED PARTY MEATBALLS
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. This recipe is a blast from the past.
TIPS FOR MAKING CROCK POT GRAPE JELLY MEATBALLS:
- 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 hostess 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!
- 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. Try different types of jelly and jams – pineapple and cranberry are also really yummy with this!
- If you want a homemade version of this recipe, click on this link: Crock Pot Homemade Grape Jelly Meatballs.
- My favorite store-bought BBQ sauce is Sweet Baby Rays. However, you can make your own Homemade BBQ Sauce.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- homestyle frozen meatballs
- grape jelly
- your favorite BBQ Sauce or Chili Sauce
HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT GRAPE JELLY MEATBALLS:
Combine the frozen 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 warmed through (stirring occasionally.) Meatballs are already cooked so we’re basically just heating them up.
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.
Cook’s Note: This also works really nicely with a package or two of lil’ smokies. Also, you can use many types of jelly flavors. I’ve used cranberry, apricot and pineapple before and all were very good!
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
- Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
- Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs
- Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Crock Pot Mississippi Meatballs
- Salisbury Steak Meatballs
- Crock Pot Honey Garlic Meatballs
- Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Crock Pot Homemade Meatballs and Marinara
- Crock Pot Party Meatballs
- Crock Pot Meatloaf Meatballs
- Porcupine Meatballs
- Homemade Meatballs
- Homemade Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
- Bacon Wrapped Meatballs
Originally published: February 2011
Updated photos & republished: April 2020
Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs
Ingredients
- 32 ounce bag frozen homestyle meatballs
- 18 ounce jar grape jelly
- 18 ounce bottle of your favorite BBQ Sauce (or Chili Sauce)
Instructions
- Pour the meatballs, grape jelly and BBQ sauce into a crock pot and stir until well combined.
- Cook the mixture on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 2 – 2 ½ hours until completely cooked through (stirring occasionally)
- Then serve! Keep slow cooker on warm with lid on so they stay warm while serving.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
I am going to try this with BBQ sauce. I made this tonight with the Heinz Chili Sauce, but the BBQ sounds more yummy. You do not taste the grape jelly -it cooks down. Also going to try the frozen meatballs. I did mine from scratch and they stayed together but were a bit dry.
Well here it is Thanksgiving Day and I have a taste for meatballs. I came on here to see if there were any recipes and I found this one with the grape jelly and Rays BBQ sauce. I am going to use homemade grape jelly with this and see how it turns out. I always keep some Rays Sweet BBQ sauce and I had a 32oz. bag of store brand meatballs. They are in the crockpot now and I'll be sure to let you know how everyone liked them. Thanks for the help. Happy Thanksgiving to all the readers.
I have been looking for this recipe. I did not know how much grape jelly to use..I have it in the pantry..going out to buy meatballs and Diana BBQ sauce now!
Thanks!
June
I love these but changed it up for some senior citizens who had blood sugar issues. I used premade meatballs also, a no brainer, and added fruit only cherry jam,1/2 cup no sugar added catsup, 1/4 cup Country Bob's Sauce, and small can of crushed pineapple in juice. Everyone loved it, not just diabetics, and those said it did not bother their blood sugar.There are no bad crockpot meatballs!
Thia is my first attempt at this….Got the boys over–football, ribs, wings & now meatballs!!!!
I have used Grape jelly in a similar recipe using Cocktail Smokies and the addition of crushed pineapple and diced jalapenos. Will have to try this Meatball version, sounds delish!
I've used this recipe for years! I make it a lot when we have a function at work because it's so easy and portable. I have in recent years though changed from meatballs to little weenies. I can fit a lot more into the crockpot and feed a lot more people.
I just love these…There are never any left..They are ready in about 40 mins but the longer you cook them the more tender and tastier they get..love love love them..add some hot sauce to give them some zing…great turn over meals next night(if any left) put them over egg noodles or make a sandwich with them!
We get these meatballs from Wal-Mart. They are delicious! Thank
you for the recipe!
We get these meatballs from Wal-Mart! They really are delicious! Thanks for the recipe. Sounds yummy!
Made this for dinner today… a huge hit with the kids the absolutely love it!!
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.
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
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!
Just made these with turkey meatballs and sugar free grape jelly to make it slightly more healthy – still delicious! Give it a try!
Thank you for taking the time to come back & let me know how it turned out for you! So glad you liked them!!
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.
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!
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 will try this ,during holidays i use jellied cranberry sauce an one bottle of chili sauce.
Love these:)
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?
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!
I was just thinking that I needed to get rid of the frozen meatballs in my fridge, and this sounds so easy!
These look so comforting. Meatballs are my favorite.
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). 🙂
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!
I also made this for the super bowl party and I made 60 of them none were left,Great Recipe.
These look great and I'll be giving them a try…thanks for sharing!
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!
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
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
These are amazing. I definitely like it better with the BBQ sauce!
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!
I'm still old school on this one
I still use grape jelly with the Heinz Chili Sauce
It's always been a big hit!
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!
Annie – you gotta trust me girl! I wouldn't steer you wrong! 🙂
Yay for lifesaving shortcuts when it comes down to a party 🙂
Thank you for warm welcome on Chef's Dennis blog 🙂
These sound great Bran! And Yay for Great Value! I get most of my stuff at Walmart!!
Meatballs are one of my favorite comfort foods. So delicious. Such a creative take on it.
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 🙂
Looks fantastic Brandy, and I love your photo!!It is mouthwatering!!!
Oh I love these little guys… so tasty!
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!
wow I’m so glad I across this site. I’ve seen people boil them first…then add the sauce and jelly.
.
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!
Instead of the jelly, I used The Jug BBQ sauce along with the sweet baby rays, mixed them together, and they flew out of the dish! I made dozens of smaller meat balls and just added sauce whenever it seemed to need more. The jug has a polynesian flavor and offsets the other BBQ sauce just right. Try it, we love them!
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 🙂
thanks for sharing this recipe. I always wanted to find out how to make these!
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
Yes these are the bomb especially with sweet baby rays
Which flavor of barbeque sauce do you like> I know this post is old but maybe someone will see it they can answer
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.
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.
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!
Your going to be sorry you only have half a box. lol