Crockpot grape jelly meatballs combine homemade or freezer meatballs, grape jelly, ketchup, and seasoning. They're a perfect appetizer for any potluck, dinner party, or game day. These easy, delicious, and tender meatballs will also be the hit of any family dinner!
Serve over rice or mashed potatoes; on the side, have a wedge salad or fruit salad.
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If you are craving something simple and delicious, you need to make this recipe for crockpot grape jelly meatballs. This easy meatball recipe has you combine the four ingredients, place them in your crockpot, and leave it be.
When you need to focus on making multiple dishes at once, this crock pot recipe is a great way to lighten the load. It's guaranteed to keep all your guests full and happy while you work on other things!
These crock-pot grape jelly meatballs will keep you coming back for more!
🥘 Ingredients
Using precooked meatballs cuts down on prep time, and the sauce practically makes itself.
- 3 pounds Frozen Meatballs - You can find frozen meatballs in any supermarket and buy your favorite brand or use the generic brand (which usually has the same flavor and texture)!
- 2 cups Concord Grape Jelly - Use 11.5 ounces per cup, and any brand of Concord grape jelly will work; just make sure it is GRAPE jelly!
- 1 ½ cups Ketchup - In place of ketchup, you can use BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce, chili sauce (like Heinz 57), or the thicker chili paste (like Sambal Oelek). The chili paste will bump up the spice factor, so keep that in mind when choosing ingredients!
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper - Cayenne adds a nice kick to any dish; you can add more if you want a bit more spice, but be careful; a little bit goes a long way!
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch and 1 tablespoon Cold Water - To make a slurry. If your sauce is a little too thin and you want to thicken it up, this is a great way to do it.
Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!
🔪 How To Cook Grape Jelly Meatballs In The Crock Pot
In just 4 easy steps, you will have a crave-worthy appetizer. All the equipment you need for this recipe is a crock-pot and a slotted spoon.
The recipe yields 18 appetizer servings or approximately 6 servings as a main dish.
- Add. Add 3 pounds of frozen meatballs to your crockpot. *If your meatballs are raw, cook them according to the package first.
- Combine. Pour the 1 ½ cups ketchup, 2 cups grape jelly, and ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper over the meatballs. Stir to combine.
- Simmer. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until heated through.
- Thicken (optional). Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Add to the crockpot sauce 15 minutes before serving. Use more if needed, adding only 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixture at a time to thicken.
Your friends and family will surely be asking you for this easy recipe. Enjoy!
See all of my favorite sides for meatballs for ideas on what to eat with them,
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Sauce Variations: If you're considering substituting ketchup with BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce, or chili paste, taste as you go. It's important to balance the flavors without overpowering the grape jelly or the meatballs.
- Ketchup and BBQ Sauce: Both ketchup and BBQ sauce versions of this recipe are generally well-received by all age groups.
- Homemade Meatballs: If you prefer homemade meatballs over frozen, make sure they are fully cooked before adding them to the crock pot. This ensures they are safe to eat and maintain their texture in the sauce.
- Serving Suggestions: You can serve the meatballs directly from the crock pot with a large spoon for convenience. Consider placing a frilly toothpick in each meatball for a more elegant presentation.
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🥡 Storing & Reheating
Place these meatballs in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
When freezing, store them in an air-tight container or Ziploc bag. They will last in the freezer for up to 7-8 months! Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
You can reheat in an oven at 425°F (220 °C/Gas Mark 7) on a foil-lined sheet pan for 8-10 minutes, let it cool for 1 minute, and serve!.
🍲 More Delicious Crockpot Recipes
- Green Beans and Potatoes - Classic side dish combining green beans and potatoes.
- Creamy Ham Potato Soup - Rich and creamy soup with savory ham and diced potatoes.
- Beef Stew - A stew made with tender beef chunks, vegetables, and rich broth
- Crockpot Cube Steak - Tender, slow-cooked cube steak dish in a rich gravy.
- Slow Cooker Cabbage - Slowly cooked until tender, perfect as a side dish.
- Slow Cooker Country Style Pork Ribs - Tender, fall-off-the-bone pork ribs.
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📖 Recipe Card
Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs
Ingredients
- 3 lbs frozen meatballs
- 2 cups concord grape jelly (11.5 ounces per cup)
- 1 ½ cups ketchup (or BBQ sauce, chili sauce, or chili paste like Sambal Oelek)
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more, to taste)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional - to thicken the sauce before serving)
- 1 tablespoon cold water (optional - to make slurry with cornstarch)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- To begin, add your 3 lbs frozen meatballs to your crockpot (*if they are raw, cook them according to the instructions on the package first).
- Pour the 2 cups concord grape jelly, 1 ½ cups ketchup, and a sprinkling of ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper to taste over the top of the meatballs. Stir to combine so all the meatballs are coated in the jelly mixture.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until meatballs are sufficiently hot.
- (Optional) If you desire a thicker sauce, add a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water to the crockpot 15 minutes before serving. Use more as needed, adding only 1 tablespoon of cornstarch at a time to thicken until desired consistency is reached.
Notes
- Grape jelly meatballs can be kept warm (such as for a party or potluck) for up to 3 hours. Set the crockpot to 'warm' and serve them from there. Occasionally give them a stir, and add a splash of water if the sauce gets too thick.
- Place toothpicks nearby so guests can poke and grab their own meatball, or offer them on a platter with toothpicks in the center for easy grabbing.
- Enjoy jelly meatballs as a meal by serving them over rice or mashed potatoes.
- We've found that the ketchup and bbq sauce version are universally loved by everyone, regardless of their age. The chili sauce version is appreciated by groups with older kids. 🙂
- To store: Place the meatballs in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- To freeze: Store them in an air-tight container or Ziploc bag. They will last in the freezer for up to 7-8 months! Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- To reheat: You can reheat in an oven at 425°F (220°C/Gas Mark 7) on a foil-lined sheet pan for 8-10 minutes, let cool for 1 minute and serve!
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