I love making these vintage BBQ grape jelly meatballs for family gatherings, game day, parties, potlucks, and any occasion I wanna serve happiness on a toothpick. The slow cooker handles all the heavy lifting. I know some of y’all might be side-eyeing this recipe like “Grape jelly and chili sauce? Sis, no” but hear me out! That mix of sweet and spicy is what takes these meatballs straight to legendary status. One bite and you’ll be HOOKED.
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Grape Jelly Meatballs Ingredients
- Frozen Meatballs: They’re a lifesaver! You can also whip up homemade meatballs with ground beef, pork, or turkey. Just roll them bite-sized so they soak up all the sauce.
- Grape Jelly: Good ol’ Smuckers or whatever brand you love will work. Apricot preserves, apple jelly, or even cranberry sauce also work great.
- Chili Sauce: This doesn’t make the dish spicy, just adds a little heat. Heinz is a classic and easy to find near the ketchup. Sweet chili sauce or even a mild salsa can step in as a substitute. You can also skip it and double up on BBQ sauce.
- Barbecue Sauce: Use your favorite bottled BBQ sauce, or whip up a batch of homemade.
- Garlic Powder: For flavor.
How to make Grape Jelly Meatballs
Step 1: Add all the ingredients to your slow cooker.
Step 2: Stir until the meatballs are evenly coated.
Step 3: Cook on high heat.
Step 4: Stir occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are hot throughout.
Grape Jelly Meatballs
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen meatballs
- 1 cup grape jelly
- ¾ cup chili sauce
- ¾ cup barbeque sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- In your slow cooker, stir together all ingredients.
- Cook on high heat for about two hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened, and the meatballs are hot throughout.
Notes
- Coat ‘Em Well: Make sure the sauce covers all the meatballs evenly in the slow cooker. Give it a good stir to make sure every bite is saucy perfection.
- No Thawing Necessary: Toss those meatballs in straight from the freezer, boos. No need to thaw, they’ll cook perfectly in the slow cooker.
- Keep It Warm: When the meatballs are done, switch your slow cooker to the warm setting. It’ll keep them hot and ready to serve!
- Stir Occasionally: Every now and then, give the meatballs a gentle stir. This helps the sauce thicken up and ensures the flavors are evenly distributed.
- Thinner Sauce: If thick sauces aren’t your thing, add about 1/3 cup water to thin it out. It’ll give you a nice glaze instead.
How to store & reheat Grape Jelly Meatballs
You’re lucky you have leftovers! Pop the meatballs into an airtight container and store them in the fridge. To reheat your grape jelly meatballs you’ve got options boo! For a crowd, toss them back in the slow cooker on low with a splash of water to loosen the sauce, and let them warm up slowly. If you’re in a hurry, heat them on the stovetop over medium-low, stirring occasionally until they’re hot and saucy again. Or zap them in the microwave!How long will Grape Jelly Meatballs last in the fridge?
These meatballs will stay good for up to 4 days, so you’ve got plenty of time to enjoy round two.Can I freeze slow cooker grape jelly meatballs?
You can freeze these beauties! Once cooled, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, making sure to get rid of as much air as possible. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- Coat ‘Em Well: Make sure the sauce covers all the meatballs evenly in the slow cooker. Give it a good stir to make sure every bite is saucy perfection.
- No Thawing Necessary: Toss those meatballs in straight from the freezer, boos. No need to thaw, they’ll cook perfectly in the slow cooker.
- Keep It Warm: When the meatballs are done, switch your slow cooker to the warm setting. It’ll keep them hot and ready to serve!
- Stir Occasionally: Every now and then, give the meatballs a gentle stir. This helps the sauce thicken up and ensures the flavors are evenly distributed.
Serving suggestions
- Dips to Munch On: Pair these sweet and tangy meatballs with a spread of classic dips like cowboy caviar, buffalo chicken dip, or pimento cheese.
- More Finger Food: Keep your app board lit with some crispy lemon pepper wings, fried pickles, or fried green tomatoes.
- Hearty Sides: Serve these meatballs over fluffy mashed potatoes or buttery white rice to soak up all that delicious sauce.
- Keep It Sweet: After all those savory bites, treat your crew to sweet snacks like turtle candy, frozen yogurt bark, or a big bowl of caramel popcorn.
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Recipe Variations
- Pineapple Vibes: Skewer a meatball with a piece of pineapple for a sweet, teriyaki-style snack.
- Add Spice: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper or a dash of hot sauce for a little extra heat.
- Veggies: If you’re making these jelly and chili sauce meatballs for dinner, throw in some diced bell peppers or onions to the slow cooker.
- Smoky Flavors: Stir in some smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a deeper, smoky kick.
Recipe help
Yup! This recipe is super easy to double, but make sure your slow cooker is big enough to fit all those meatballs without overcrowding.
Not really. The chili sauce adds a little subtle heat, but it’s more about balancing the sweetness from the grape jelly.
Turn the slow cooker to high and leave the lid off for about 15-20 minutes. Or you can also mix a cornstarch slurry (equal parts cornstarch and water), and stir it into the sauce.
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Most places I go that offer hors d’oeuvres and various finger foods usually include meatballs. However, I could never find that distinct flavor I once had years ago, and I kicked myself for not asking the person for the recipe. This recipe just confirmed that I prefer grape jelly meatballs. It brought back the memory in my taste buds as soon as I took a bite. The concord grape jelly mixed with the sweet chili sauce gives it that perfect sweet and spicy touch. Superb recipe!