These Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs are easy to make in the crock pot. This recipe only takes 3 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep! Doesn’t get better than that.
These meatballs are a tried and true appetizer recipe of mine. They literally couldn’t be easier to make and everyone always loves them. Other easy go-to’s are little smokies, meatball sliders and pigs in a blanket.
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Table of Contents
The Perfect Appetizer
These crockpot BBQ grape jelly meatballs are one of my family’s favorite meatball recipes. They are seriously so good and the perfect appetizer for game day! They almost remind me of sweet and sour meatballs but taste better.
My Grandpa has been making these crockpot meatballs for years and we always loved them growing up. My sister even talked him into making them as an appetizer at her wedding. Everyone loved them! Now of course my family has their actual “homemade meatballs recipe,” which are just as amazing.
The best part about BBQ meatballs is that no one would ever know how simple they are to make. Turn them into a main dish and serve them over sticky rice like I do with honey garlic meatballs. YUM!
3 simple ingredients!
These slow cooker grape jelly meatballs are so easy to make. You just need the 3 ingredients below to get started:
- Meatballs: I love getting the frozen meatballs from Costco or Kroger. They taste the best in my opinion. Homemade meatballs taste great as well if you have the time.
- Grape jelly: I keep it simple and use Smucker’s grape jelly.
- BBQ Sauce: Sweet baby ray’s BBQ sauce is my personal favorite. :) You can also make a homemade BBQ sauce if preferred.
How to Make Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
- Add ingredients to crockpot. Pour grape jelly and BBQ sauce in the bottom of your crockpot. Add in the meatballs and stir until fully coated.
- Cook meatballs in crockpot. Cook frozen meatballs in crockpot for 2 to 3 hours on high, or until warm. Make sure to stir a few times throughout.
- Serve and enjoy! Garnish with sliced green onions if desired and serve as an appetizer or main dish.
Variations
There are plenty of ways to easily mix up the flavors in this recipe. Check out some other yummy variations below:
- Sub Heinz chili sauce for BBQ sauce for an extra kick, like I did with these chili sauce meatballs.
- Replace grape jelly with 16 ounces sliced or diced pineapple for Hawaiian meatballs.
- Use 1/4 cup honey instead of jelly for a a little healthier alternative (add more or less to to taste).
- Make cranberry meatballs with leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving. Sub an equal amount of cranberry sauce for grape jelly.
- Use 2 packages of little smokies instead of meatballs.
FAQ
We love to serve them with coconut rice, green beans and fresh cut pineapple.
If you’d like to thicken your sauce, you can mix together a cornstarch slurry (about 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 Tablespoon of water) and stir it into the sauce and allow it to simmer.
This is the base of the sauce (which helps thicken it) and brings the best flavor. I promise you won’t taste the grape flavor.
More Easy Appetizers:
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- 4-Ingredient Cheese Ball
- Easy 7-Layer Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Crockpot Bbq Meatballs
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (18-ounce) jar jar grape jelly
- 1 (18-ounce) jar BBQ sauce
- 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen fully cooked meatballs (about 50)
Optional: Cooked rice, Sliced green onions
Instructions
- In a medium bowl or the base of a slow cooker, combine the grape jelly and BBQ sauce. Add meatballs and stir until coated in sauce.
- Cook on high 2 to 3 hours or low 3 to 4 hours. Turn the slow cooker to warm until ready to serve.
- Enjoy as an appetizer or serve over rice and top with green onions for a main dish.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
David
My Aunt made this exact recipe every Christmas, and my family has been enjoying them for more than 40 years! I remember when she spilled the beans and gave me the recipe. I’m making a batch in her honor this morning for the reception following her funeral.
I’ve also made a version with blackberry jam and spicy BBQ sauce that comes out very good as well. Everyone should keep a bag of meatballs in the freezer and BBQ sauce and grape jelly in the pantry for emergencies!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you can remember your Aunt by making one of her beloved recipes! Sending sympathy to your family in your time of loss.
Christy
Would the cook time be different with homemade meatballs? I plan to brown the meatballs before putting them in the crockpot.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Hello, sorry this recipe has only been tested with fully cooked meatballs. I would just ensure the meatballs are cooked through before serving (use a meat thermometer).
Kathy
I made this recipe last week. Sooo good. Making them again right now. I will use this recipe at least twice a month, if not more. Thank you!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you enjoyed the grape jelly & BBQ meatballs!
Richard Scofield
If I use frozen meatballs, can I refreeze them?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
You should be able to since you are cooking them but I would do what you are most comfortable with.
Heather L Haralson
Can you use grape jam instead of jelly?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
That should work!
Jane
Can you use plum strawberry jam instead of grape jelly?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
It’s not been tested with that flavor of jam, so taste will differ but I am sure it would work.
Breauna
Can I double up on the ingredients if I want a bigger batch ?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Yes! Enjoy!
Caitlin
Do you have to change the time if you double?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
No since they are fully cooked meatballs, just be sure they are thawed through and warm.
Saige
This meatball recipe is so easy and fast. I make it all the time for parties or to take to friends. I love it!!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
It’s always a crowd pleaser!
Tara
Do you ever have a problem with the sauce being too runny due to the water from the frozen meatballs after they thaw?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
No, but saucy is great in this recipe! :) Enjoy!
Heather
I found if you use a thicker bbq sauce, it won’t be runny
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Great tip! Thanks for sharing Heather!
Cheyenne
I’m having this issue, too – I was hoping someone else had tips but it doesn’t seem like it. :’) it’s like the sauce isn’t sticking to the meatballs – I’m worried it won’t have much flavor besides the meatballs itself.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Hi Cheyenne, we haven’t ever had that issue, but you could try thawing the meatballs first or leave the lid off the crockpot for about hour or so to let the water evaporate and see if that helps.
Sherry
First I want to thank you for putting that recipe out there. I fixed it for dinner tonight. That was very good meat barbecue meatballs.
So again. I want to thank you for putting your recipe on here. I gave you all the stars I can give on here.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Thank you for the review Sherry!
Jess Lawless
One of my FAVORITE Appetizers as a child! The little Smokies are delicious too!😋❤️
Affordable & Simple! You can guarantee there won’t be any left! ALWAYS a HIT for ANY gathering/Holiday! Thankyou for taking the time to share! 🤤👏🏼🫶🏼
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad you enjoy the meatballs (and lil smokies) Jess!
Cris
Have you tried making this in an instant pot?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
We have not, let us know if you try.
Daniel
Could I also add in chopped onions and peppers? Would it change the taste drastically?
Jamielyn Nye
Yes you can definitely add those in to make not as sweet :)