😍🙌❤️ Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs are the EASIEST holiday appetizer that’s made with just 3 INGREDIENTS! People adore these saucy meatballs loaded with FLAVOR! Make them for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s celebrations, and holiday parties, or your next tailgating, game day party, or potlucks!
3-Ingredient Crockpot Jelly Meatballs
If you’re looking for the easiest, no-brainer holiday appetizer that everyone loves, then put these grape jelly meatballs with just 3 main ingredients on your list!
Nothing fancy or complicated, but it’s amazing how much flavor these meatballs have. They’ve been a classic since the 1960s for a reason. It’s because people just adore them. There’s some magic that happens in the slow cooker when you combine the meatballs with the BBQ sauce and jelly, and let them slow cook for hours. The depth of flavor is just incredible!
They’re not too sweet, despite using jelly, and they have much more flavor than just a standard barbecue meatball. Best of all, you just plop everything in your slow cooker and let it do the work and make the meatball magic happen.
I tried these for the first time for a party. OMG, they were gobbled up so fast I had to make a second pot! So surprisingly delicious. Hard to believe grape jelly was involved!
Bonnie
Ingredients for Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
It’s hard to believe all the flavor that these little meatballs have when there are only three simple ingredients!
- Precooked frozen meatballs, thawed – I strongly suggest using pre-cooked frozen meatballs. Thaw them before you add them to the slow cooker. You’ll need a 48-ounce bag. I get them from Costco or my regular supermarket if they’re on sale. I use beef meatballs, although you could use a beef and pork combination, or just pork. Or, try turkey meatballs. While you could make your own meatballs, it’s more work and really not my preferred option for this easy holiday appetizer
- Barbecue sauce – I like to use Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce when preparing this meatball recipe with jelly. It’s just a nice classic BBQ sauce that my family really enjoys. However, feel free to customize the flavor of your slow cooker meatballs by using a spicier barbecue sauce or a sweeter sauce, like a honey barbecue sauce
- Grape jelly (Welch brand or any other brand) – Instead of the grape jelly I used, in my opinion, some good jelly variations include peach or apricot preserves, orange marmalade, or try hot pepper jelly. If using hot pepper jelly, I wouldn’t use 30 ounces of it! I would replace some of the grape jelly with hot pepper jelly, maybe up to about 8 ounces, or more if you’re looking for some kick and spice. If you have extra on hand, I bet that cranberry sauce would also be nice. Again, don’t use 30 ounces of it, but throw in a cupful and then add the remainder with regular jelly to balance it out
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Easy Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly
Preparing the frozen meatballs in your slow cooker couldn’t be simpler! It really doesn’t get any easier than these Crockpot meatballs with jelly.
- Add the meatballs, barbecue sauce, and grape jelly to your slow cooker.
- Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours, stirring every hour or so. You can cook on high, and the jelly meatballs will be ready in 2 to 3 hours. However, I recommend cooking them on low so the meatballs really have a chance to absorb all the flavors of the barbecue sauce and jelly.
- Enjoy them speared with toothpicks for cocktail meatballs or party meatballs. Or, enjoy them as a quick dinner option with sides like roasted veggies or creamy, make-ahead mashed potatoes.
What to Serve with Crockpot Jelly Meatballs
Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 48- ounces frozen precooked meatballs, thawed
- 40- ounces barbecue sauce
- 30- ounces grape jelly
Instructions
- To a 7-quart slow cooker (or similar sized such as 6 to 8 quarts) add the meatballs, barbecue sauce, grape jelly, stir to coat evenly, and cover.
- Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours* (See Notes), stirring every hour or so.
- Serve warm and fresh. Extra meatballs will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.** (See Notes)
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
©averiecooks.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
More Easy Appetizer Meatball Recipes:
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs — The EASIEST slow cooker meatball recipe that’s sure to be a hit at parties and events! Or turn this into a no-fuss weeknight meal and serve these pineapple-infused Hawaiian meatballs over rice! Made with only 6 ingredients so you can just set your slow cooker and let it do all the work!
Baked Honey Garlic Meatballs — These honey garlic meatballs are easy, can be prepped in advance, and hold well at room temp. They’re juicy, tender, and the honey garlic sauce gives them so much flavor!
Mexican Beef Meatballs with Tomato Avocado Salad — They’re coated in enchilada sauce and are loaded with Mexican-inspired flavors! Great for busy weeknight dinners or easy-breezy entertaining!
Tex Mex Meatballs — Tender, juicy homemade beef and pork meatballs with just the right amount of spicy kick! Simmered in chipotle enchilada sauce and smothered with melted cheese, this EASY meatball recipe will become a weeknight family dinner favorite. Or make them as a game day or party appetizer recipe!
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs — EASY homemade chicken meatballs that simmer in buffalo wing sauce, seasonings, and spices in your slow cooker! Juicy and full of all the flavor of traditional buffalo chicken wings, minus the messy factor!
Firecracker Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs — Lightly crisped on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, these homemade meatballs are air fried and then coated in a sweet-with-tangy-heat firecracker sauce with the perfect amount of heat! Serve these as an appetizer or as the main course.
This is a wonderful appetizer.. no last minute trouble and always a hit!! Thank you!!!
Thanks for the 5 star review, Hennie, and I’m pleased to hear this is always a hit and trouble-free!
I tried these for the first time for a party. OMG, they were gobbled up so fast I had to make a second pot! So surprisingly delicious. Hard to believe grape jelly was involved!
Thanks for the 5 star review, Bonnie, and I’m glad to hear that these were such a hit that you needed to make a second pot midway through the party! That’s lovely to hear!
great
Best meatballs I’ve ever made! Why did I wait so long to bake them? I was short on breadcrumbs so I put French Fried Onions in the food processor and added to the breadcrumbs! Turned out marvelous! Going to start another batch to freeze tomorrow
great
Averie, your recipes are always a hit! I’d tell people not to be fooled by the simple ingredients because these meatballs are spectacular! I also used Sweet Baby Rays as well as Welch’s Concord Grape Jam because it’s tangy. These are the first to disappear off of the party table!
How can I make these without a slow cooker? I don’t use one. Thanks
I really don’t know as this is one of those recipes that is intended solely for a slow cooker. You would have to research grape jelly meatballs without a slow cooker.