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.
Have them in my crock pot now,our very favorite meatball recipe !
I have used the original recipe for probably 25 years and it is still a family favorite. I originally had them at a funeral so try not to think about that part. It is equally good to use cocktail sausages in place of meatballs. For those of you that fear the grape jelly-get brave, it does not have a grape jelly taste. only a mild sweet next layer of flavor.
Love your meatball recipe! And, I definitely want to remain on your e-mail list!! It is one of the first ones I read and get so much out of it!
Your food blog is my absolute favorite! Keep me on your list, please! I will make my meatballs with the SBRay's…love that stuff! You're the greatest!!
I use a large jug of pace picante and raspberry jelly instead. Simply fabulous!
I will be making these for Church this sunday (superbowl sunday). I bought Sweet Baby Ray's bbq sauce and now I'll just add the grape jelly (already had that in my cupboard). I'll use frozen meatballs from Gordon Food Service. GFS is awesome if you have one in your area. Everything is "party" sized.
I've done this with several different kinds of jelly, the important thing is to add the sweetness. I've used apricot, orange marmalade, grape, strawberry, boysenberry and whatever else happened to be in the house or fridge when the mood hits. I've made these every new year's eve for at least 30 years. I've always used Chili Sauce though … I tried the barbecue sauce once and it wasn't as good IMO … I think the pepper jelly would be especially good, give them a nice kick! I may use that on super bowl Sunday .. IF I can get DH to go along with "snacking Sunday" 😉
I make meatballs all the time — office parties, church functions, etc. I have always used the frozen meatballs (Rosina or store/discount brand doesn't make a difference, but I ALWAYS use the Italian meatballs). I use Kraft Orignal BBQ sauce (or the store equivalent — Great Value Original tastes EXACTLY the same), and I add a can of pineapple chunks w/the juice. It's FANTABULOUS!!! I've never done the grape jelly, so I'll have to try that. I'll also have to try the chili sauce & jelly combo as well. As much as I LOVE Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce, for some reason I have never thought to use it for the meatballs. Brandie, you just keep on throwing my skinny girl dreams out the window!!!
i bought italian meatballs on accident ande threw em in the crockpot before i even realized, how is that going to change the flavor, just a little more zangy-tangy??
Hi …I have just received my specially ordered Sweet baby Rays and grape jelly .. I've got raw fresh meatballs so do I need to fry them off first …. Can't wait to try so a big thank you all the way from the UK ……
I have made the chili sauce and jelly version for years but just found Rays new cola bbq sauce so will be trying that for my Christmas apps this year. Merry Christmas all!
These are exactly what I am doing with my Christmas meatballs this year!! It's as though you looked into my kitchen and gave out my 'recipe'. Wal-mart meatballs, Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce (hand's down the best), and grape jelly. Everyone loves them and no-one has any idea that my secret ingredient is grape jelly. 🙂
Also, has anyone tried putting in some worstershire sauce for a little twang?
Trying this for the first time. When I used the suggested quantities (32 oz, 18 oz and 18 oz) it didn't seem to be enough to cover the meatballs…..do you add water to cover, or do I need to increase the bbq sauce and the jelly? This is my first time with this recipe. Smells great cooking.
Every year for New Years Eve, I make some "party food" for my grandchildren and we celebrate together. Think I will make these this year, though I'm sure the adults will be in them, too. Using frozen meatballs will sure streamline this recipe!
I made over 200 of these meatballs for a Super Bowl party and they were all eaten. I use grape jam instead of jelly and Sweet Baby Rays jalapeño BBQ sauce ( No these are not hot or too spicy, ) it's just a hint of n something else in the sauce. People begged for the recipe. The Jam adds more flavor and isn't as sweet as the jelly.
An alternative to these that I luv on Christmas or New Years, is to use Sweet & Sour sauce instead of BBQ sauce. Awesome! Note: I always use plain or homestyle meatballs, not seasoned (can't control flavor) as some brands are over powering in taste.
I have been making these for a while. I use the Heniz Chili Sauce, never tried the BBQ sauce. Think I will try it. Everytime I make these, they are a hit. So when the holidays come around, I am asked to make these, They are delish. I usually make enough for my husband and I too.
What frozen meatballs are best for this recipe? Plain, Homestyle or Italian?
I use just plain ole store brand. Works out well, and you will love them!!!
My crock pot is a 5qt size. Is that large enough for this recipe?
Sweet baby ray's honey chipoltle flavor is really good…bold & slightly spicy.
Back in the 70's we used to make these with Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce….They are wonderful!!!!
I get the frozen meatballs Costco sells and they are fantastic with the Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce & grape jelly. I'm thinking of trying it with the whole cranberries instead of the grape jelly for a Thanksgiving appetizer.
I've always used the grape jelly with the chili sauce and it is fantabulous … now I have another variation to try with the barbeque sauce … Sweet Baby Ray's s our favorite. Talking about strange combinations … has anyone tried Little Smokies then adding equal parts of yellow mustard and apricot preserves. For my family, I add extra preserves. They like a little more sweetness to them .
Sounds delish with the yellow mustard and preserves!!
I have to feed about 35 for a baby shower we are doing a book theme do
You think one bag of meatballs will be enough?
I think it should be. I'm sure there will be lots of other food there. I know it's always hard to figure out because you don't want to make too much or have too little, right? 🙂
BBQ sauce and a can of whole cranberries is another variation on this recipe….it is fabulous!
Very simple and basic, I'm glad others use the grape jelly too, although I use half as much. Also, I always add a good bit of hot sauce, maybe 1-2 tsp. As far as everyone being in love with Sweet Baby Ray's – and don't get me wrong, I have it in the pantry now, it's good – but has anyone ever heard of Bulls-eye? Vastly superior IMHO. Thanks for posting the recipe.
I have been using Bulls-Eye for about 25 years. I just recently bought a bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's……I just wanted to see for myself. Haven't tried it yet though. Actually, our favorite is Tony Roma's bought directly from the restaurant.
We have always used the grape jelly and yellow mustard, but never in the crock pot. I'm going to have to give it a try and see if it works. Sounds much easier!
I use this recipe with cocktail weiners also. Soo good!
Oh I just made these and doubled the recipe I used 32oz. grape jelly and 2 jars of chili sauce with homemade turkey meatballs.
These are delicious I put them in an oval 6qt. crockpot on low for 7 hrs. Love them!
if I need to dbl this would it be best to make it twice or just dbl ingredients? Sometimes it's no good to dbl. thanks
I make this sometimes when we head for the weekend home on the block of the motor inside the hood/bonnet. I start the recipe at my home in Houston by putting everything in a big plastic covered bowl, microwaving, stirring in any other flavors I want to try (onion powder, various rubs, even cream of mushroom soup), and then wrap it all 3x into foil recipe. You don't know the meatballs are there if you are moving in her car (the motor is in the back of her sports car). Still my wife kept asking when we got into traffic if I could smell BBQ but I just would say, well its Friday night – people must be BBQ'ing. When we got to the lake, we emptied the car of the few things we carry back and forth including a cheese plate and wine. Wanting to capture the sunset on the water, I carried the snacks out back and poured my bride a glass of wine. Whilst she asked about our dinner plans, I crept away, retrieved a nice serving dish and two bowls and chopsticks, opened the hood, retrieved the meatballs (she was already suspicious)and served my favorite food critic. It is nice to use the rolling kitchen in your car motor and you never heat up the house. Thanks.
Glenn, you're a man after my own heart. I have cooked many a meal on the V8 Express….
Late joining and posting to site, but Glenn that was an act of genius……way to go Man!
Making these for supper tonight 🙂
I love these, always a hit! I use a spicy salsa but basically get the same, yummy result! Guests are always shocked when I divulge the "recipe".
Great recipe! I added some finely chopped onion; and after few hours added some flour for thickening.
I use Sweet Baby Rays Honey BBQ Sauce for the meatballs; making 2 large crocks full for my daughters wedding shower as I type this!!! 🙂
Yay! So happy this was a good one for y'all! Leah – a 4 quart will work fine for this! I just wouldn't go any smaller than a 4 quart. 🙂 ~Brandie
Hopefully I didn't miss this in the comments, but what size crockpot do you use? I only have a 4qt so I didn't know if it would all fit. Thanks!
Used this recipe for a munchie during the superbowl game for our guests. It was beyond easy to prepare, very tasty and a huge hit with our guests. Will be making them again in the future!
I like the grape jelly/SBR BBQ also! Im gopint to try it with Apricot Jelly this time, Ill let ya know how it is.
Have you ever tried the meatballs with chili sauce and cranberry sauce. YUMMY
Anonymous – yes I've had good luck with the Wal-Mart brand and other store brands as well. Obviously homemade meatballs are awesome. The only reason why I don't recommend the homemade for these is because they always fall apart at some point during the heating up in the crock pot. I've tried it several times – even tried freezing them. They would still fall apart or would get so soft, folks couldn't easily scoop them up with a toothpick. The frozen, packaged just hold up better and taste great with this combo. of flavors. 🙂
I have always been leary of packaged frozen meatballs. Sounds like the Walmart brand are good? Would sure be easier than having to make meatballs from scratch.
My cousin from Australia has just rented a slushy machine for her party next week, then I saw this blog, so I thought, these meatballs would taste great with slushy! Looks like I'll be drinking too much frozen cocktails in Perth next week… Thanks for the recipe!
I have always blended chili sauce and cranberry sauce in a pan on the stove and poured it over the meatballs. Now I will have a new one to try! Sounds great!
I'm making these tonight but they were out of sweet baby rays!! So I went with bullseye. Hopefully they turn out good they look delicious!!!
Rudy's BBQ sause cannot be beat. Rudy's is a Texas BBQ chain that can be found online. Best BBQ I have ever tasted.
Smoked or polish sausages cut into one inch pieces works well with this sauce too. I buy the three pound packages. I love this with chili sauce, but the bar-b-que version is yummy too.
This is EXACTLY what I use- Sweet Baby Rays and even WalMart's meatballs. Yum!
Which Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce does everyone use? There are several different flavors of Sweet Baby Ray.
spicey