crockpot meatballs with grape jelly sauce
Forget everything else, Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly Sauce is the easiest and most delicious party appetizer ever – make a double batch for hungry crowds and endless cocktail parties!
![crockpot meatballs with grape jelly sauce](https://allgoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715996554509-600x1024.jpg)
While the combo of grape jelly and chili sauce might sound strange to crockpot meatball newbies, trust the recipe (and generations of happy hosts!) – it’s the secret to these tangy, smoky, and utterly irresistible meatballs.
Whether you use frozen meatballs or bless yourself by making your own (there’s a great recipe below!), just throw everything together and turn on the slow cooker.
The all important sauce:
The genius of this meatball sauce lies in its simplicity – just two ingredients, readily available at most grocery stores.
- chilli sauce:Stick with Heinz Chili Sauce for this recipe – it’s not spicy, offering a subtle kick similar to ketchup with a touch more complexity.While Heinz Chili Sauce is ideal, sweet chili sauce works in a pinch, or for a different twist, use ketchup with a sprinkle of chili powder, your favorite tomato-based BBQ sauce, or any other tomato-based sauce you enjoy.
- Grape jelly:Pick your favorite grape jelly (Smuckers, Welch’s, or even generic works!), but if grape jelly isn’t common where you are, choose a smooth fruit jam that will melt easily and sweeten your meatballs.
![crockpot meatballs with grape jelly sauce](https://allgoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715997548252.jpg)
Let’s talk meatballs:
No judgment here – frozen meatballs work just as fabulously as homemade in this recipe! While frozen meatballs are a fantastic shortcut (no judgement!), making your own meatballs from scratch is a great option for fresher flavor and control over ingredients. You can even keep things lean by using ground turkey.
For the frozen meatball enthusiasts, reviews suggest Costco, Farm Rich, Pineland Farms, and Trader Joe’s offer delicious options, so grab a bag and get crockpotting! Stock your freezer with a couple extra bags for nights when inspiration (and dinner) runs dry – these meatballs are always a lifesaver!
![crockpot meatballs with grape jelly sauce](https://allgoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715997951194-682x1024.jpg)
How to make homemade meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, pork, breadcrumbs, onion, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and egg with a big wooden spoon or your hands (don’t forget the salt and pepper!).
- Roll the mixture by hand into bite-sized (about 1-inch) balls, remembering they’ll shrink slightly during cooking.
- Before adding them to the crockpot, cook the meatballs either by pan-frying or baking them in the oven.
To brown the meatballs before adding them to the crockpot, heat some vegetable shortening in a large shallow skillet over medium-high heat.
In batches, fry the meatballs in the hot skillet (don’t crowd them!) for 5-7 minutes per batch, until browned on all sides.
Before removing them from the pan, fry the meatballs in batches (don’t crowd them!) until browned on all sides and reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Baking the meatballs is a breeze, requiring less stove time: simply preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
To bake the meatballs, line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment, then set a baking rack over the pan and arrange the meatballs on the rack.
Bake the meatballs on the rack for 20 minutes, checking for an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit with a thermometer for 15 seconds before removing them, aiming for browned exteriors with crispy edges.
Freezing meatballs:
For freezing homemade meatballs, let them cool completely before transferring them to the freezer.
For freezing homemade meatballs, let them cool completely, arrange them on a sheet tray and freeze for a few hours, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for storage.
How to make Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly:
1.Whether you’ve browned your own meatballs or are using frozen (no need to thaw!), simply toss them in the crockpot with a jar of chili sauce and grape jelly, stir gently, and let the magic happen!
![crockpot meatballs with grape jelly sauce](https://allgoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715998602023.jpg)
2.After browning the meatballs (or using frozen ones!), toss them in the crockpot with a jar of chili sauce and grape jelly, then give everything a gentle stir.Skip the browning step for frozen meatballs – just toss them frozen into the crockpot with the chili sauce and grape jelly, stir gently, and let the slow cooker work its magic!
![crockpot meatballs with grape jelly sauce](https://allgoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715998882024.jpg)
Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or high for 2-3 hours, until the sauce is hot and bubbling.
How to make this meatballs with grape jelly on the stove:
Stovetop meatballs are a breeze too! Simply toss them into a large saucepan.After adding the meatballs to the saucepan, stir in the chili sauce and grape jelly, then cover and simmer over medium heat for roughly 10 minutes, until the sauce is hot and bubbly.
Make ahead crockpot meatballs:
Even prep these Crockpot Meatballs ahead of time! Reheat in the slow cooker for a relaxed approach, or use the stovetop for a quicker option (then transfer them back to the slow cooker to keep warm).
Slow Cooker Meatball Variations:
- cranberry sauce:Cranberry fans, rejoice! Subbing canned smooth cranberry sauce for some of the grape jelly adds a tangy twist to these party-perfect meatballs.
- Grape jelly and BBQ sauce:Swap the chili sauce for your favorite tomato-based barbecue sauce for smoky, crowd-pleasing meatballs.
- Meatballs with grape jelly and mustard:Don’t knock it till you try it – the basic yellow mustard and grape jelly combo, familiar from baked ham glazes, becomes a surprisingly wonderful crockpot meatball sauce!
- Swedish meatballs:Don’t miss out on the best Swedish meatballs ever, with their delicious creamy sauce.
- Other fruit jelly for meatballs:For a twist, swap the grape jelly with apple or elderberry jelly – they’re both delicious options!
common Questions for crockpot meatballs with grape jelly sauce
What’s a good sauce for meatballs in a crockpot?
Unleash the secret to tangy, smoky, unstoppable meatballs with plain old-fashioned grape jelly and Heinz chili sauce – simply toss everything in your slow cooker, even frozen meatballs straight from the freezer!
Should meatballs be cooked before putting in sauce?
Brown the uncooked meatballs in a pan, oven, or skip browning entirely and add them raw straight to the sauce for easy cooking options.
Do meatballs get more tender the longer they cook in sauce?
Simmering transforms collagen in the meat to gelatin, creating a silky sauce and infusing rich, deep flavors, while the meatballs become increasingly tender and succulent over time.
Printcrockpot meatballs with grape jelly sauce
Calling all hungry crowds and cocktail parties! Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly Sauce, the easiest and most delicious party appetizer on the planet, is a lifesaver – make a double batch!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 30–40 metaballs 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 (32 ounce) bag frozen fully-cooked meatballs (see notes to make meatballs from scratch)
- 12 ounces chili sauce
- 10 ounces grape jelly
Instructions
To sauce the meatballs in a slow cooker:
- Simply toss frozen meatballs in your crockpot with chili sauce and grape jelly, then cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours, until the sauce is hot and bubbly.For easy serving, keep them warm in the crockpot or transfer them to a serving dish, offering a spoon or toothpicks for grabbing.
To sauce the meatballs on the stovetop:
- In a saucepan, combine meatballs, chili sauce, and grape jelly. Cover and simmer over medium heat until the sauce is hot, about 10 minutes.
To make the meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, pork, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, milk, egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper for a flavorful meatloaf mixture.
- Using a strong spatula or your hands (gloves recommended!), mix the ingredients well and roll them into 1-inch meatballs, yielding about 48 total.
To fry the meatballs:
- Heat vegetable shortening in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.Fry the meatballs in batches over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per batch (internal temp should reach 165°F for 15 seconds), adding more shortening as needed if the pan appears dry.
To bake the meatballs:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, top with a rack, arrange meatballs, and bake for 20 minutes until browned and crispy on the edges (internal temp should be 165°F for 15 seconds).
Notes
- While regular chili sauce works perfectly, feel free to swap it for sweet chili sauce for a slightly different but equally delicious flavor twist!
- This recipe is adapted from “Appetizer Meat Balls” in the Calico Capers Go To Cookbook.
Nutrition
- Calories: 220kcal
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 322mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 41mg
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