Grape jelly meatballs in the crockpot
Sweet and tangy grape jelly meatballs made in the slow cooker with just three ingredients: frozen meatballs, grape jelly and chili sauce. A party favorite.
2% of it needs you at the counter
- Hands-on
- 5 min
- Cooking
- 4 hr
- Serves
- 12
- Calories
- 305
- Protein
- 11 g
- Per serving
- $1.09
Why this recipe works
Grape jelly meatballs are the potluck appetizer everyone asks about: frozen meatballs slow-cooked in grape jelly and chili sauce until sticky and glossy. They sound odd, but the sweet and tangy sauce is addictive, and they hold well on the warm setting all party long.
- Chili sauce adds tang, spice and tomato depth that balances the jelly, so the sauce tastes sweet-savory instead of like dessert.
- Whisking the jelly and chili sauce smooth before adding the meatballs prevents lumps of unmelted jelly.
- Slow cooking gently heats frozen meatballs through and thickens the sauce into a glossy glaze without burning the sugar.
Ingredients
To serve
You will need
- 5- to 6-quart slow cooker
- Whisk
- Instant-read thermometer
Method
Tap a step number to mark it done.
Make the sauce
Whisk the grape jelly and chili sauce together in the slow cooker until smooth.
Add the meatballs
Add the frozen meatballs and stir until they're all coated.
Slow cook
Cover and cook on low for 4 hours (or high for 2 to 2½ hours), stirring once or twice, until the sauce is glossy and the meatballs read 165°F in the center.
Serve
Stir, sprinkle with scallions and serve from the slow cooker on the warm setting with toothpicks.
Cook's notes
- For the stovetop, simmer everything in a covered pot over medium-low for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often, until heated through.
- Use chili sauce, not chili powder or chili-garlic sauce; it's a ketchup-like condiment.
- Leftovers keep 4 days in the fridge and reheat well, covered, in the microwave or a pot.
Nutrition per serving
305 calories
$1.09 estimated cost per serving
Where the calories come from
| Protein | 14% of calories | 11 g |
|---|---|---|
| Carbs | 38% of calories | 30 g |
| Fat | 48% of calories | 17 g |
| Fiber | 2 g | |
| Sodium | 720 mg |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for the listed ingredients and amounts; not lab-tested. Cost estimated from average US retail prices.
Questions people ask
Do you thaw frozen meatballs before putting them in the crockpot?
No. Add them frozen; 4 hours on low heats them through. Check that the centers reach 165°F before serving.
Can I use barbecue sauce instead of chili sauce?
Yes. Barbecue sauce gives a smokier, sweeter result. Many cooks use half chili sauce and half barbecue sauce.
How many meatballs per person for a party?
Plan on 4 to 6 small meatballs per person when there are other appetizers, so 2 pounds feeds about 12.
