This Grape Jelly Meatballs recipe has been a favorite holiday appetizer since I was a kid! With just 3 simple ingredients, this recipe is so easy it practically cooks itself, and everyone loves it.
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Ingredients For Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Meatballs: Use frozen, fully cooked meatballs to make it easy or prepare homemade meatballs if you’d prefer.
- Grape Jelly – I use a classic grape jelly in this recipe. You replace the grape jelly with other preserves; see the variations below.
- Ketchup or Chili Sauce: I most often use ketchup because it’s the recipe I grew up on. Chili sauce, which is a zesty ketchup-style condiment; see notes below.
Sauce Variations
You can swap the ingredients based on what you have on hand. The sauce needs something sweet (jelly) and something zesty (ketchup).
- Replace the Grape Jelly with apricot preserves, orange marmalade, canned cranberry sauce, raspberry preserves, or hot pepper jelly.
- Replace the Ketchup with Heinz chili sauce, homemade chili sauce, or barbecue sauce.
- Note: If swapping the ketchup for chili sauce, it is not a spicy sauce. Look for the Heinz brand in a glass bottle near the ketchup (you can also get it online here, or make your own chili sauce). It is the same chili sauce I use in my favorite meatloaf topping.
How to Make Meatballs with Grape Jelly
Grape Jelly Meatballs are SO easy to make and always get rave reviews.
- If making homemade meatballs, prepare and bake them according to the meatball recipe.
- Add all ingredients (including the frozen or cooked meatballs) to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low per the recipe below.
The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools or if you leave the lid off and keep it warm during a party.
Stretch it Further
If you have a larger Crock Pot (6qt), this recipe can be doubled. If preferred, the sauce can be doubled, and you can add in a package of little smokies or hot dogs cut into 1-inch pieces and let it all cook together.
Leave a box of toothpicks near the crockpot, and they’ll disappear quickly.
How To Serve Grape Jelly Meatballs
Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs can be an appetizer for any holiday party or served as a complete meal.
- If serving at a party, once cooked, turn the slow cooker onto the warm setting and keep a bowl of toothpicks nearby.
- Tuck them into slider rolls or hoagie rolls for a heartier meal.
- Serve over a bed of white rice or mashed potatoes!
- Add sauteed peppers and onions to make this a sweet-and-sour meatball dish.
Leftovers/Make Ahead
Grape Jelly Meatballs are a great make-ahead dish!
Prep ahead: You can cook them the day before, store them in the fridge overnight, and then reheat them in the Crockpot. If you didn’t use lean ground beef, skim off any fat if needed.
- To store: Store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.
- To reheat: Thaw overnight, then either place them back in the Crockpot and reheat for 2 to 3 hours, or put them in a saucepan on the stovetop with a little splash of water. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
More Party Favorites
Did you make these Grape Jelly Meatballs? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds frozen fully cooked meatballs or 48 small homemade meatballs
- 1 ½ cups ketchup
- ¾ cup grape jelly
Instructions
- Cook meatballs according to recipe directions if using raw meatballs.
- Place meatballs, ketchup, and grape jelly in a small slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cook on low 3-4 hours or until heated through.
Notes
Variations
- Replace the Grape Jelly with apricot preserves, orange marmalade, canned cranberry sauce, raspberry preserves, or hot pepper jelly.
- Replace the Ketchup with Heinz chili sauce, homemade chili sauce, or barbecue sauce.
- Note: If swapping the ketchup for chili sauce, it is not a spicy sauce. Look for the Heinz brand in a glass bottle near the ketchup (you can also get it online here, or make homemade chili sauce).
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Appetizer, Beef, Party Food
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My son remembers a meatball recipe that my mother used to make at outings. He said he remembers grape jelly and ketchup in with the meatballs. But he thinks he remembers that she put pineapple in it also. Is that a thing?
Could it be something like these Hawaiian Meatballs? They don’t have grape jelly but they do have pineapple.
They were delicious! I used the Heinz Chili Sauce instead of ketchup with the frozen meatballs. We had a potluck at work! They were a hit!!
Which tastes better using grape jelly and ketchup — frozen original homestyle, or Italian-style meatballs?
You could use either, but I often just use original homestyle meatballs for this recipe.
Hi Holly!
If I’m using frozen meatballs, do I thaw them out or heat them before putting them in the crock pot, or put them in frozen?
You can put them in frozen.
My picky 7yr old son loved it over white rice and I made your meatball recipe too absolutely delicious. This is the first comment worthy recipe I’ve come across easy and a hit I.made the fast way on the stove top.
Would this recipe also work with chicken wings instead of meatballs?
I have never tried, but I think this would be delicious on chicken wings! I would love to hear how it turns out for you.
Does the sauce keep its integrity after you reheat from frozen?
Yes, this recipe freezes well!
Will apricot or strawberry preserves work here? Thanks.
Yes, apricot preserves works well!
the grape jelly recipe is so good
so delicious, we made our own meatballs
I love these meatballs! Always get compliments. I swap grape jelly for apricot preserves. Perfect!