Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs with Chili Sauce

Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs is an easy appetizer with frozen meatballs, grape jelly and a bottle of Heinz chili sauce made in the slow cooker. This easy recipe is the perfect appetizer for game day and parties!

Easy Meatball Recipe with Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce in Crockpot

If you are looking for the easiest appetizer recipe on the planet, try these 3 ingredient crockpot meatballs!

Slow cooker grape jelly meatballs have been around for a long, long time. You may know them as sweet and sour meatballs or sweet and spicy meatballs.

This is one of those iconic recipes that has been served at holiday parties and potlucks forever — with good reason. These cocktail meatballs are super easy, budget friendly and made with just a few minutes of prep time.

Best of all, these slow cooker meatballs are delicious! I got the original recipe from a former neighbor, but it’s hardly a recipe — it’s that easy!

Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs Recipe Ingredients

You can find these simple ingredients at your local grocery store if you don’t have them at home. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.

• Frozen meatballs — I use Kirkland’s Costco meatballs, but any brand of frozen meatballs will work. Look for smaller cocktail-size meatballs
• Grape Jelly — any brand
• Heinz chili sauce — It can be any brand, but do not get sweet chili sauce as that is completely different.

How to Make Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs

I like to spray the bottom of the crockpot with non stick cooking spray for easy clean-up. Then, add the meatballs to the slow cooker.

Mix the sauce ingredients in a small mixing bowl.

Next, pour the meatball sauce over the frozen meatballs. Give the meatballs a stir.

You don’t need to add any liquid as the meatballs will release plenty of liquid as they cook.

Then, place the lid on your slow cooker.

Cooking Time

Cook meatballs for 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low. The total cook time for this crock pot recipe depends on the size and brand of slow cooker you use.

How to Serve Grape Jelly Chili Sauce Meatballs

You can also leave the meatballs on low heat or the keep warm setting for folks to help themselves.

Or, you can serve these savory meatballs as an appetizer with party toothpicks in a serving bowl.

For an easy main dish, serve the meatballs over rice, mashed potatoes or pasta.

How to Store

Refrigerate leftover meatballs in an airtight container for 3-4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or on the stove top. If you have a lot of these crockpot jelly meatballs left over, you can warm them up in the slow cooker.

Freeze these party meatballs in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months for best results. They defrost and heat up easily.

Helpful Tips

You can use homemade meatballs in this grape jelly meatball recipe, but it works best if you brown them first.

For variation, sub ketchup or barbecue sauce for the chili sauce. You can also change the flavor of jelly.

If you are serving these appetizer meatballs in a bowl or on a plate, don’t leave them at room temperature for over 2 hours for food safety.

Sub turkey meatballs or chicken meatballs for beef or pork or a combo of the two.

In a hurry? You can make Instant Pot grape jelly meatballs in about 5 minutes. You can also make these in the oven or on the stove top if you don’t have a slow cooker.

More Frozen Meatball Recipes in Crockpot

For more slow cooker frozen meatball recipes, try my Crockpot cranberry meatballs with orange marmalade. It’s a favorite during the holiday season! Easy meatball subs are perfect for a quick dinner or appetizer. Easy slow cooker Swedish meatballs is another easy dinner idea, and check out even more delicious crock pot recipes!

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