Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
Grape Jelly Meatballs are a quick and easy recipe that takes just 5 minutes of preparation and then your crockpot takes it to the finish line! This appetizer is sweet, tangy, and filling and you can always count on it being one the whole family loves!
A Yummy, Easy Appetizer
This Grape Jelly Meatball Recipe lets you decide if you want to use homemade meatballs or your favorite frozen meatballs! There’s no shame in grabbing frozen meatballs from the grocery store to enhance the ease of this appetizer! Actually, it’s what I prefer to use!
If there was ever a signature smell of game day, I’m confident these crockpot meatballs would be a top contender! The aroma that fills the air when the grape jelly, pineapple juice, and light brown sugar combine is both comforting and mouthwatering!
Rebecca’s Recipe Review
Taste: Sweet and tangy.
Texture: Tender meatballs covered in sticky sauce.
Ease: 2/10
Pros: You can cook these in advance, refrigerate them, and then place them back in the crockpot to reheat when you’re ready to host!
Cons: None.
Would I Make This Again? Yes, this is one of my favorite appetizer recipes!
Grape Jelly Meatballs Ingredients
If you love a short and simple ingredients list, then this recipe is for you! Grape jelly, chili sauce, pineapple juice, light brown sugar, and garlic paste make the sauce that these meatballs cook in!
When I use this recipe I have zero shame when I reach for the frozen meatballs! This recipe is designed for 32 ounces of meatballs, just keep that in mind if you go the homemade route.
How To Make Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
Add the meatballs, frozen or homemade, along with grape jelly, and chili sauce into your crockpot. Add pineapple juice to the chili sauce container, shaking it up to loosen any remaining sauce, then pour it into the crockpot.
Next, place the light brown sugar and garlic paste over the meatballs and stir to combine. Cook on high in the crock pot for 2.5 to 3 hours, placing on warm afterward for serving!
When using homemade meatballs they won’t need to cook as long since they won’t be starting out frozen!
Rebecca’s Tips
If you’re using homemade meatballs they will need to be cooked before you add them to the crockpot.
Recipe Substitutions & Variations
Orange juice can easily replace pineapple juice and light brown sugar can be omitted completely if watching your sugar intake. Garlic powder can be used in place of the garlic paste, with just ¾ teaspoon!
Another delicious variation of this recipe turns these into grape jelly bbq meatballs using your favorite barbecue sauce! Sweet baby ray BBQ sauce is a popular option, if using just omit the chili sauce!
If you like cranberry, you should also try my Cranberry Orange Meatballs made with cranberry sauce!
How To Store Slow Cooker Meatballs
These meatballs can be stored for up to 3 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Make-Ahead
To make this appetizer recipe even easier you can cook it ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready! When it’s time to serve just place the meatballs back in the crockpot to be reheated.
Here are a few more meatball recipes that are sure to hit the spot!
- Cranberry Orange Meatballs – Just 4 ingredients taking only 5 minutes to prepare!
- Crockpot Italian Meatballs – Serve these over pasta, spaghetti squash, or on toasted sub rolls!
- Apple Cocktail Meatballs – The sweet taste of apples, paired with chili sauce, cinnamon, and garlic!
- Pineapple Tequila Meatballs – An alcoholic twist on a favorite game day appetizer!
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs – Soaked in a tangy sauce that’s ready to eat in 45 minutes!
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Grape Jelly Meatballs
Ingredients
- 32 ounces frozen swedish meatballs
- 16 ounces grape jelly
- 12 ounces chili sauce
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
Instructions
- Add the frozen meatballs, grape jelly, and chili sauce to a 3 quart or larger crockpot.
- Add the pineapple juice to the chili sauce container and shake to loosen up any remaining sauce then pour into the crockpot.
- Add in the light brown sugar and garlic paste and stir to combine.
- Cook on high for 2½ to 3 hours. Keep on warm for serving.
Notes
- Orange juice can be used in place of pineapple juice.
- Light brown sugar can be omitted if watching sugar intake but it really adds a lot flavorwise.
- ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder may be used instead of garlic paste.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the microwave for up to 3 days.
- You can cook these in advance and refrigerate then place them back in the crockpot to reheat.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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How much bbq sauce would you say?
You would just use it in place of the chili sauce, so 12 ounces.
I was wondering if you had tried Apricot jam in place of the grape jelly.
I have not, but I bet it would be good. We’ve done cranberry, pineapple, and apple.