Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs (+Video)
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?
Originally published: February 2011
Updated & republished: April 2020
Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs (+Video)
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? 🙂